Red Cross Launches Preparedness Podcast
 
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| Lise Harwin |
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June 26, 2009
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PORTLAND, Ore. – With the goal of "putting the RAD(io) in readiness,' the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross has completed the second episode of Ready Radio (www.readyradio.sprnetwork.com), an internet broadcast that is also available for download on iTunes. The live show airs every other Thursday at 1 p.m. on Portland's Small Plate Radio Network.
The new preparedness and safety podcast follows on the heels of the Chapter's other social media efforts -- an award-winning blog (www.oregonredcross.org/blog) and popular Twitter stream (www.twitter.com/redcrosspdx). All of the tools are similar in tone; practical tips delivered with a dose of pop culture and humor.
"Our goal is to make preparedness relevant...and maybe even fun," said Lise Harwin, Communications Director for the Oregon Trail Chapter and one of Ready Radio’s hosts. "So far, we’ve covered everything from learning to swim as an adult to where you can buy canned bacon for your disaster kit. We take on serious topics, but try to do it in a way that's not preachy or wonkish; being safe should be empowering, not fear-inducing."
Ready Radio is already building a positive reputation, having been listed as one of iTunes' "New and Notable" podcasts and hitting nearly 5,500 downloads for the first episode. The show incorporates music, sound effects and pre-recorded interviews and typically clocks in around 20 minutes. Each episode features suggested "prepare-aphernalia" for a disaster kit and a Word of the Show that listeners can guess via instant messaging.
Episode 1: Thunderstorms, Games To Keep With Your Kit, Online CPR and Swedish Pop Music
Episode 2: Swim Lessons for Grown-Ups, Disaster Movies and Tasty Canned Prepare-aphernalia
The next episode of Ready Radio will air on Thursday, July 9 at 1 p.m. The live broadcast and archived episodes can be heard at www.readyradio.sprnetwork.com and the podcast can be downloaded from the Non-profit section of the iTunes store.
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In Oregon, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disaster every eight hours; provides more than 90 percent of the blood used by Oregon patients; teaches thousands of Oregonians lifesaving skills; provides transportation to seniors and the disabled; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.oregonredcross.org or join the conversation on our award-winning blog at www.oregonredcross.org/blog.
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