Communications Support for 2011 National Preparedness Month (NPM) National Preparedness Month (NPM) 2011 A time to remember. A time to prepare. It takes just 97 seconds to register to become a coalition member!

What is National Preparedness Month? Sponsored by FEMA, the Ready Campaign, and Citizen Corps, National Preparedness Month is a month-long campaign to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies. NPM takes place every September and works with individuals, businesses, schools and communities. National Preparedness Month Coalition members work within their networks to encourage preparedness at the grassroots level, with help and resources from FEMA, Ready.gov and Citizen Corps. The Coalition is open to everybody. By joining you are committing to help America be prepared. What is the NPM Coalition?

How to Register and Find More Information Please sign up and participate in September’s National Preparedness Month (NPM) by logging into to become a NPM Coalition Member.

You play an important role in ensuring that all communities have equal access and resources to being prepared. You have the capacity to make a difference both large and small, to increase preparedness for those who need it most. We urge you to do something meaningful, measurable and visible this year. It takes just 97 seconds to be part of the team, and part of the solution to move this community forward. And remember, even if you registered last year, you need to do it again. This year we are providing new tools (toolkit that includes suggestions for activities and events, templates, articles, banners and customizable materials). Register now to become NPM coalition members

How do you get started? Once registered, you will have access to a toolkit and resources that include all sorts of ideas; website, social media, newsletter, and publication content; Ready.gov public service announcements; presentations; collateral customizable with your logo; brochures; material, such as Make a Family Emergency Plan and Emergency Supply Kit; bill stuffer template; and much more. You will be able to contribute/access the NPM events calendar, share success stories, and participate in discussion forums.Make a Family Emergency PlanEmergency Supply Kit Idea! Work with your local partners in preparedness, which you can find by going to and partner with them on creating an innovative way to help employees create a family emergency plan and build their kits.

Easy ways to participate in National Preparedness Month Leverage Existing Events – Participate in events and meetings that are already planned and scheduled. Tapping into existing events is a great way to reach out to other members of your community. Host an Event, Meeting or Workshop – A great way to educate is to host a preparedness workshop, day, or fair. Getting other organizations or local first responders involved can help build awareness. Be Part of a Much Larger Event or Initiative - People want to be part of something bigger. You can use events such as September 11 th, this year’s annual day of service, to add a preparedness event or include preparedness in an event already scheduled. Spread the Preparedness Message – Include the preparedness message in existing forms of communication. Once you’re signed up as a Coalition Member, you will have access to ready-to-use messaging that you can use or customize.

Resource: Emergency Financial First Aid Kit Below is a resource and ideas that you can use to help your community be financially prepared for disasters: Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) is a simple tool designed to help you identify and organize key financial records and provides a quick reference file for your most important financial documents. You can download a copy of the EFFAK on or you can call and place an order for the quantity you need. The publication number is FEMA P – Idea! Order copies of the EFFAK for members of your organization and invite a financial literacy organization like our Citizen Corps partner Operation Hope ( and host a financial preparedness workshop for your communitywww.operationhope.org

Ideas for your community to do as coalition member Below are some resources and ideas that your organization can use to help youth learn how to be better prepared for disasters: “READY KIDS” AND “READY…SET…PREPARE!” ACTIVITY BOOKS FEMA has three publications that your organization can use for youth ages The Ready Kids (Catalog No ) and the Ready…Set…Prepare! (FEMA P-522 for ages 4-7 & P-523 for ages 8-11) Activity books can serve as the perfect resource to talk to youth about emergency preparedness. Idea! Download Games and Puzzles from the Ready Kids Website to use at your next youth event. Visit Ready.gov/kids to download word search games, coloring pages, hidden treasure activities, and more.Ready.gov/kids

We would love to hear back from you on the activities you have planned and we are available to help brainstorm ideas that will have a dramatic impact! Wouldn’t it be great if every one of your members and subordinate organizations registered too? Please forward this information far and wide with your endorsement and encouragement. Many thanks for your support!