MESSAGE FOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS              We STRONGLY encourage State and Local Emergency Management Agencies to consider creating & implementing a "People Locator Tool" into their system immediately and campaign it as much as possible and as soon as possible. Whether it is on your website or through a “wide flyer campaign”, we need for you to be as CREATIVE as possible. Make sure it can be used in times of crisis to post information as to were one is going, arrived, who they are looking for, etc.               Emergency managers need to be PRO ACTIVE in this matter. This CANNOT be emphasized enough! Your constituents need to know about your program WAY BEFORE an incident strikes your community. This program's concept needs to be recognized and validated by the community you serve PRIOR to an emergency. Conduct dry runs of your system. Involve your community.  “Improvising” is great and necessary during and after emergencies but it should however  not be an excuse to wait and do nothing when we could positively reduce the strain of emergencies by being somewhat ready for the “communication chaos” that will reign for the well know first 72 hours. Let’s relieve some of that tension NOW and be ready to help post their whereabouts before and after the crisis. Finding a child/parent or loved one is dramatic enough without the chaos!              Remember that your plan should include PETS! Some citizens have shown their strong attachment to their pets during the Katrina rescue efforts. Have a plan NOW to satisfy inquiries THEN about what will happen to their pets and where they can find more information once rescued.  Your community doesn't NEED another Snowball controversy!