(OCTOBER 22, 2015) — First Lady Carol Mead joined the Safe America Foundation today to encourage Wyoming residents to “Text First. Talk Second.”™ when letting those closest to them know they are okay after a disaster.
“I got involved in the ‘Text First. Talk Second.’ campaign because it’s one of the best ways to communicate in an emergency,” said Mrs. Mead. “We all want to be in touch with loved ones when disaster strikes. Just as important is keeping lines open for emergency personnel.”
During and after weather-related or other emergencies, SMS text messages will go through before a call. Mobile call volume overwhelms provider capacity during these incidents. Preparedness experts agree that during an emergency and its immediate aftermath, communicating via SMS text messaging should be your first choice. Non-essential calls often shutdown wireless phone service and prevent 911 calls from getting through and emergency personnel from being able to communicate with each other. A single one-minute phone call takes up the same bandwidth as 800 short SMS text messages.
“In today’s environment, where emergencies seem to always be around the corner, it’s critical for people to be prepared to stay in touch when phones lines are overtaxed. Texting is a good alternative to voice communications and is 800 times more likely to connect you. That’s why we’ve made it such an important part of our Foundation’s preparedness messaging,” said Safe America President and CEO, Len Pagano.
Mrs. Mead’s work in raising awareness on this issue is part of the Safe America Foundation’s First Spouses Campaign – an effort to engage all First Spouses in emergency preparedness activities. Championed initially in 2010 by former First Lady of West Virginia Gayle Manchin, the Campaign has since generated support from First Spouses in various states/territories including Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
About the Safe America Foundation
The Safe America Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit licensed by the state of Georgia. The foundation partners with corporate, governmental, public and private sector organizations and other nonprofits to improve the safety awareness and preparedness of Americans nationwide.
Photograph Courtesy: First Lady Carol Mead via Laramie Live