ORLANDO, Learn how to stay safe in severe weather and prepare for other disasters during free classes and events this week at the University of Central Florida.

UCF is teaming up with Orange County's Office of Emergency Management
to host a series of disaster preparedness activities on its main campus
Thursday, Jan. 28, and Friday, Jan. 29. The program is part of a
statewide Severe Weather Awareness Week, which runs through Saturday.

All events on UCF's campus are free and open to the public. Free
weather radios and disaster kits will be handed out while supplies last.

Thursday's classes will cover everything from wildfire and weather
safety to CPR and first-aid instruction. Several courses will offer
FEMA-certified emergency management training. All classes will be held
on the second floor of UCF's Student Union.

Outside the Student Union, vehicles from the Florida Division of
Forestry and Orange County Fire Rescue will be on display Friday to
teach people about emergency responses throughout the community.

Friday's UCF Preparedness Fair will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the
Key West Ballroom on the second floor of the Student Union. Agency
representatives will be available to speak with the public about
disaster planning and response, as well as careers in emergency
management.

Participating organizations include the American Red Cross, UCF and
Orange County emergency management offices, the Florida Division of
Forestry, UCF Police, UCF Housing and Residence Life, Orange County Fire
Rescue, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Orange
County Health Department, Central Florida Blood Bank and Salvation Army.

Friday's event will coincide with UCF's testing of its
universitywide emergency communications system. The UCF Alert system
includes outdoor sirens, the university Web site, e-mail, text messaging
and social media sites, among other tools.

Anyone who wants to learn more about the UCF Alert emergency
communications systems can attend classes on Thursday, Jan. 28. To see
the full list of classes scheduled for Thursday, go to
http://news.ucf.edu

-- UCF --

Parking and directions: Marked media vehicles may park adjacent to the
Student Union, off Aquarius Agora Drive. From University Boulevard, turn
left onto Gemini Boulevard and follow it to the three-way stop. Turn
right onto Aquarius Agora Drive, head towards the Student Union, and
park in either the lot or along the road. Other media can park in Garage
H. Visit http://campusmap.ucf.edu for a map.

Contact: Christine Dellert, News & Information, 407-823-2947,
cdellert@mail.ucf.edu

UCF Stands for Opportunity: The University of Central Florida is a
metropolitan research university that ranks as the 3rd largest in the
nation with more than 53,500 students. UCF's first classes were offered
in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research
environments that power the region's economic development. UCF's culture
of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history
of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more
information, visit http://news.ucf.edu