City of Alameda Video Release a First in Community Disaster Preparedness.

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- A key component in Alameda's unique, award-winning disaster preparedness initiative will be released on Monday, April 18, the 99th anniversary of Northern California's infamous 1906 earthquake.

The film, "Together We Prepare -- A Disaster-Resistant Alameda," is a primary training tool in a community-wide effort to ready one in every four Alamedans for emergencies.

Some 5,000 DVD copies of the film will be distributed throughout Alameda. They will be available without charge via schools, social and civic organizations, business associations, and libraries. The film also will be cablecast on the community's municipal cable television system provided by Alameda Power & Telecom.

The half-hour program features steps that can be taken now, as well as a neighbor-to-neighbor approach to dealing with disasters. It draws upon local talent and is a joint production of the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter, the Alameda Fire Department, and Alameda Power & Telecom's Alameda TV.

Under Together We Prepare, over 20,000 of Alameda's more than 76,000 citizens will be uniquely prepared to respond to emergencies. In addition to the film, the Alameda Fire Department is working with the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter to offer disaster preparedness courses, materials, and events through the City. Program participants also are schooled on Alameda's Community Emergency Response Team training, Alerting and Warning System, and Disaster Registry Program.

As a result of the City's efforts, in January, the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter presented its Good Neighbor Award to the City of Alameda for "exceptional initiative in identifying and meeting community needs." Chapter Chief Executive Officer, Harold Brooks observed, "The City of Alameda has chosen to lead the way in making the Bay Area the most prepared place in the nation. They have taken on the difficult goal of preparing their residents to handle the emergencies we know will come our way and their success makes them an invaluable partner."

Program information is available via the Alameda Power & Telecom web site, www.alamedapt.com, and the Alameda TV web site, www.alamedatv.org. More information on hosting disaster preparedness courses is available through the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter at 510-814-4213 or www.bayarea-redcross.org. More information specific to the "Together We Prepare -- A Disaster-Resistant Alameda" initiative is available from Alameda's Disaster Preparedness Officer Rick Zombeck on 510-337-2131.