Iridium(R) Satellite, ProtectingAmerica.org and the American Red Cross Partner to Educate First Responders on Importance of Testing Satell...( Encouraging Emergency Workers to Pre...),Health

Encouraging Emergency Workers to Prepare for Disasters before They Strike

BETHESDA, Md., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Iridium(R) Satellite is pleased to announce its partnership with ProtectingAmerica.org and the American Red Cross to promote the second annual "Test Your Satellite Phone" Week kicking off May 25, 2008. The goal of "Test Your Satellite Phone" Week is to increase satellite phone user knowledge and help users confirm their access to the critical communication services satellite phones provide before they're needed in an emergency. ProtectingAmerica.org is a non-profit organization consisting of emergency management officials, first responders, disaster relief experts, insurers and others. Its mission is to establish a comprehensive, integrated national catastrophe management solution that will better prepare America. The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

"ProtectingAmerica.org is pleased to participate in this important initiative and commends Iridium Satellite for ensuring that our emergency workers are prepared to make that critical call during a disaster," said James Lee Witt, ProtectingAmerica.com national co-chair and former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "Too often, emergency workers turn on their satellite phone for the first time after disaster strikes to find they do not know how to use it properly, the batteries are not charged, their service is substandard or the phone won't connect."

"We've seen first-hand what happens when cities and towns are cut off from all communication during a disaster," said Joseph Becker, executive vice president, response and recovery, American Red Cross. "Taking precautions like testing your satellite phone can help save lives and property and we're happy to support this initiative by encouraging the first responders around the country to take heed."

Similar to the popular bi-annual testing of smoke alarms, "Tes
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