Homeland Security terror info recommended

Deepa Bharath

Residents must make use of the information put out by the U.S.

Department of Homeland Security, local public safety officials said

Wednesday.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has launched a public

relations campaign and a Web site, www.ready.gov, that offers tips to

prepare for worst-case scenarios, including terrorist bombings,

biological, chemical and nuclear attacks.

Officials said they crafted the campaign to avoid creating

widespread panic while providing some common sense ideas that will

help people survive a disaster -- when government and emergency

services are unavailable. The nation has remained on a high terrorism

alert for more than a week now.

Costa Mesa resident Diane Hill said such information will

certainly help people be “reassured” at a critical time.

“If they have a concept of what to do during an emergency

situation, it gives them more security than chaotic terror,” said

Hill, who has actively urged her North Costa Mesa neighborhood to

participate in the city’s disaster preparedness programs.

“It’s something the city has been trying to tell residents for

several years,” she said. “I believe that any effort to explain such

concepts to people is commendable. The key is to have something

planned ahead so it’s not scary when something horrible happens.”

The important thing about preparedness is also not to overreact,

Newport Beach Police Sgt. Steve Shulman said.

“For example, we don’t want people to go out, get duct tapes and

tape up their homes,” he said.

The federal government Web sites that provide information are the

best sources for those who are looking for the latest news on

terrorist attacks, Shulman said.

“The federal government is closer to intelligence than we are,” he

said.

The ready.com Web site urges people to take steps to prepare for

disasters such as keeping a three-day supply of water, food and

medicine. Families must also stock items such as formula and diapers

for infants and prescription medication for seniors and others in

need of such medication.

The Ad Council -- the nonprofit group that came up with Smokey

Bear’s “Only you can prevent forest fires” and McGruff the crime

dog’s “Take a bite of crime” -- helped put together the campaign.

The most important thing, Hill said, is to “stay calm.”

“Like they say,” she said, “always count to 10 before you do something in a hurry.”

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at [email protected].