FLASH (www.flash.org) was established in June of 1988 as the Florida Alliance for Safe Housing.  An incorporated, charitable organization, FLASH is dedicated to alleviating suffering caused by natural and man-made disasters.  Partnering with government agencies, both federal and state, other non-governmental organizations and private industry, FLASH provides disaster prevention and mitigation information to communities, homeowners and commercial enterprises.  

 Originally conceived as a hurricane and wildfire awareness effort for Florida, FLASH expanded in 2002 to the Carolinas and Texas.  On February 26,2002 FLASH changed it’s name from “Florida” to “Federal Alliance for Safe Housing” to reflect the increased scope of operations.

FLASH activities include:

Establishing the Blueprint for Safety (www.blueprintforsafety.org).  This program offers both an educational program and technical diagrams and procedures for making homes resistant to wind, wildfire and floods.  Continuing education programs are available online for builders, as are courses for homeowners to learn how to prepare their homes for disaster.  FLASH also publishes technical manuals for both new construction and retrofitting safety features into existing structures.

 Creating and Publishing FLASH Cards (www.flash.org/HomeownerInfo/FLASHCards/FashCrds.html).  These easy to read brochures provide information both on how to prepare for disasters, and what to do when threatening weather is imminent.  Titles include Safety Tips for Hurricanes, Wildfires, Floods, Hail, and Lightning as well as Safety Tips for Manufactured Homes, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio, and Hurricane Preparation for Pets.

Publishing NewsFLASH (www.flash.org/News/NewsFlash.html).  This quarterly newsletter provides the latest in disaster-related information.  Each issue highlights a particular disaster, with the summer editions usually dedicated to the upcoming Hurricane Season.  

Partnering with the Florida Departments of Law Enforcement and Emergency Management to create the Florida Initiative Against Homeland Terrorism, or FIGHT (http://www.flash.org/fight/fightindex.html).  Much like FLASHs’ natural disaster programs, FIGHT provides information on how to prepare for terrorist incidents.  FIGHT publishes preparedness checklists, information on what to do during an emergency and provides links to government and non-government agencies that provide terrorism related information and education.

 Supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Project Impact (http://www.app1.fema.gov/impact/).  Project Impact’s mission is to create disaster resistant communities throughout the US.  FEMA provides communities with technology and expertise so that they can assess their hazards and then assists in developing and initiating a mitigation plan.  FLASH aids Project Impact communities in the Southeast in obtaining resources and incorporating mitigation techniques.

 Other FLASH activities include providing a traveling hurricane safety exhibit and funding the broadcast of Public Service Announcements.

 FLASH’s effectiveness is best portrayed in the list of awards the organization has received.  These include:
 
 -The 2002 National Hurricane Conference “Mitigation Award”.
-The 2002 Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association Award of “Excellence in Community Public Education”.
 -The Florida Emergency Preparedness Association 2002 “Corporate Education Award”.
-A 2001 Federal Emergency Management Agency “Hazard Retrofit” Special Recognition.
-The 2001 Governor’s Hurricane Conference “Public Education/Public Information Award”.