Bruce Larson is known as a champion of funny car racing, but he spread a very serious message about car safety during National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. Larson, a legendary National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) world champion drag race driver, recorded a 30-second public service announcement (PSA). The PSA was part of a local PEMA-FEMA radio campaign in support of National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 3-9.
Larson popped out of his lane briefly to record a quick and succinct message: Be prepared for late winter storms by keeping your car winterized and equipped with a kit.
The PSA was recorded on Feb. 28 in Dauphin, where Larson keeps a treasured collection of antique cars. One is the 1932 Ford V8 engine Model B he first raced as a teen. It is the same type of car featured in the 1973 film American Graffiti.
Two local television meteorologists recorded PSAs for the series.
On March 1, WHP-TV CBS 21 (Harrisburg) Chief Meteorologist Tom Russell taped a PSA encouraging individuals to be prepared by building a kit and making a plan.
On March 4, WPMT-TV FOX 43 (York) Meteorologist MaryEllen Pann recorded a PSA encouraging people to tell their neighbors about severe weather preparedness.
Russell and Pann each toured the joint field office in Harrisburg before their recordings.
After Russell’s visit, the agencies were invited to be interviewed on severe weather preparedness at the WHP studios. PEMA Press Secretary Cory Angell was interviewed on Friday, March 8 for the evening newscast.