SMALL FACTORY PRODUCTIONS PREMIERES ITS “READY SCHOOLS” CARTOONS AT NEW YORK CITY
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT’S “PARTNERS IN PREPAREDNESS” LAUNCH EVENT
Cartoons Prove Unique Tools in Teaching Children Emergency Preparedness
Fair Haven, NJ (November 5, 2011) – On September 26th, 2011, Small Factory Productions celebrated the premiere of its “Ready Schools” cartoons at the New York City Office of Emergency Management’s (OEM) “Partners in Preparedness” launch event at the Museum of Natural History. “Ready Schools” is a project of the OEM’s “Ready New York” program, which features informational guides and online resources to help New Yorkers prepare for all types of emergencies. In 2009, OEM and the Department of Education partnered to bring emergency preparedness education to elementary school classrooms, and today the program has grown from two colorful and creative guides to a suite of publications and videos.
In August 2011, OEM contracted Small Factory Productions to create cartoons based on the principles of “Ready Schools” to teach school children about preparing for emergencies. Over the course of two weeks, staff from OEM and Small Factory guided campers at a Police Athletic League in the Rockaways through the production company’s Create-a-Cartoon program. The children in grades 3-5 drew original cartoon characters, created scripts, and recorded voice-overs and songs for two cartoons. The cartoons, entitled “Ready, Set, Prepare” and “Emergency Experts” debuted at OEM’s “Partners in Preparedness” reception on September 26th at the American Museum of Natural History. To view the videos, visit www.mysmallfactory.com or www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/news/videos.shtml.
“Small Factory Productions’ “Ready Schools” videos were launched only weeks after Hurricane Irene hit the East Coast on August 28th. Thanks to New York City’s Office of Emergency Management, children from across the five boroughs now have a better understanding of how to prepare for emergencies like Irene. Small Factory Productions was honored to be a part of this exciting project.” Chris Dudick, Small Factory Productions.
Photo: Chris Dudick, President of Small Factory Productions (pictured on the left) with Children from the Police Athletic League in the Rockaways Celebrating the New York City Office of Emergency Management’s (OEM) “Ready Schools Partners in Preparedness” launch event at the Museum of Natural History.
