June/July Issue

The Oasis Foundation of America (OFA) has chosen Mobile as the pilot city for its new supplies on site program, or SOS. This program is designed to strategically place disaster relief supplies in local communities. These supplies are stored in large pods called READI-Ports (Relief Emergency Aid Distribution and Information Ports), each of which will have a state-of-the-art, high-definition screen associated with it. Revenue from advertising displayed on these screens will pay for the accrued maintenance costs. A fully functioning SOS Program will have READI-Ports placed within walking distance of each major community.

OFA designed the SOS Program jointly with Emergency Management Association (EMA) in response to the U.S. government's restructuring of the emergency management system.

Joe Montgomery, Chairman of Oasis, state that the "Oasis Foundation of America is about helping communities get better prepared for emergencies. Because of 911, Katrina, and other events, the need to be prepared is as strong as ever. We are a venture with the public good in mind. Alabama has one of the best Emergency Management organizations in the country, so we are very excited to be working with them."

SOS also includes a Community Alert Network System, which is run through the READI-Port advertising system, and a local 2-1-1 program. The 2-1-1 system could put callers in touch with physical and mental health resources, employment support, help for elderly and for those with disabilities, and support for children and families.

Supporters hope to expand across Alabama and eventually all over the United States.