First Lady Ann McCrory Promotes “Text First. Talk Second.”™ | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

North Carolina First Lady and the Safe America Foundation stress use of text messaging during emergencies

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

    Governor Pat McCrory has proclaimed September as Emergency Preparedness Month, which coincides with National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The designation is made each September to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies.

    "This September, I urge North Carolinians to simply text your loved ones during and after a national disaster," said First Lady Ann McCrory. "Voice calls can sometimes overwhelm provider capacity during a disaster, and it is important that these services are available for our valuable first responders. I would also like to thank First Gentleman of South Carolina, Mike Haley, who is chairman of the Safe America Governors Spouses Preparedness Campaign, for his leadership on this issue," continued Mrs. McCrory.

    During and after weather-related or man-caused emergencies, SMS text messages will go through before a call. Mobile call volume simply overwhelms provider capacity during these incidents. Preparedness experts universally 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 shutdown wireless phone service and prevent 911 calls from getting through and emergency personnel being unable 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 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," commented 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 since generated support from First Spouses in various states/territories, currently: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Mrs. McCrory joined the Campaign last year.

    About the Safe America Foundation

    The Safe America Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit 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.

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


    Contact: Crystal Feldman
       govpress@nc.gov