The 2009 National Conference on Community Preparedness: The Power of Citizen Corps, is being hosted jointly by FEMA's Community Preparedness Division and the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) on August 9-12, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, VA. The conference is open to all who are interested in making their communities safer, stronger, and better prepared for all types of hazards. It will bring together approximately 600 state and local elected officials, emergency management, fire and police services, public health and emergency medical services, non-governmental organizations, private business and industry, advocacy groups, and members of public.

More information on the conference can be found on the conference website: http://www.iaem.com/NCCP2009.htm.

In a signing ceremony on February 21st, 2009, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a newly-formed affiliation between Citizen Corps and the United States Power Squadrons (US Power Squadrons) to help promote and improve community emergency preparedness, disaster response training for the public and volunteer service. Citizen Corps and the US Power Squadrons each view community safety and emergency preparedness as a top priority for their respective organizations and for the general population of the United States. The decision to engage in a formal partnership comes as US Power Squadron members are playing an increasingly important role in homeland security through participation in America’s Waterway Watch and Waterway Awareness Programs. To learn more about the US Power Squadrons, please click here. To read the full press release, click here (PDF).

On June 12, 2009 all full-power broadcast television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting only in digital. Congress recently passed the DTV Delay Act, which extends the deadline for full-power broadcast TV stations to complete the DTV transition from February 17, 2009, to June 12, 2009. The new law allows more time for consumers to be prepared for the DTV transition. However, Congress did not require stations to continue broadcasting in analog after February 17th, and stations may choose to complete their transition, and stop broadcasting in analog, before June 12th. Millions of American residents depend on television as a reliable source of information, to include emergency alerts and warnings. Citizen Corps Councils are urged to inform members of your community -- especially older adults and homebound individuals -- of the digital transition to ensure they take any necessary action to receive and view over the air digital signals.