North Carolina First Lady Promotes "Text First. Talk Second."™ | Eastern North Carolina Now

   Press Release:

Ann McCrory and the Safe America Foundation stress text messaging during emergencies

    Raleigh, NC     First Lady Ann McCrory joined the Safe America Foundation today to encourage North Carolina residents to "Text First. Talk Second."™ when letting those closest to them know they are okay after a disaster.

    During and after emergencies, SMS text messages will go through before a call. Mobile call volume can overwhelm 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. This is because non-essential calls often shut down wireless phone service and prevent 911 calls from getting through. They can also prevent emergency personnel from being able to communicate with each other. In fact, just 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 be always 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. McCrory'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 generated support from first spouses in the following states/territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

    The Safe America Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit licensed by the state of Georgia. Chartered in 1994, the Marietta, Georgia-based foundation partners with corporate, governmental, public and private sector organizations and other nonprofits to improve the safety awareness and preparedness of Americans nationwide.

    For more information please contact Len Pagano, len.pagano@safeamerica.org,(770) 973-7233.


    Contact: Crystal Feldman
      govpress@nc.gov