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.

The conference planning team is currently soliciting proposals for presenters. We encourage Citizen Corps members, partners, and others who are interested in sharing their experiences with increasing community preparedness to visit the conference website and submit their proposals. Call for Presenters submissions are due by March 2. More information on the conference and the Call for Presenters submission form can be found on the conference website: http://www.iaem.com/NCCP2009.htm.

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.