On Wednesday the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, The America Prepared Campaign, the American Red Cross, the National Association of Broadcasters and the U.S. Department of Education joined a coalition of more 50 national organizations to engage Americans in emergency preparedness by launching National Preparedness Month on Sept. 9.

The launch event at the United States Capitol is co-chaired by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) and Representatives Christopher Cox (R-CA) and Jane Harman (D-CA). In addition, all 56 state and territorial governors have pledged to mark National Preparedness Month with local events.

“National Preparedness Month brings together an amazing coalition of partners to make citizen preparedness a priority for every city, every neighborhood and every home across America,” said Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. “Homeland security is a shared responsibility and I am pleased that so many organizations and so many national leaders are working together to help get this information out into communities across the nation.”

National Preparedness Month will provide Americans with a variety of opportunities to learn more about ways they can prepare for an emergency, get an emergency supply kit, establish a family communications plan, and become better aware of threats that may impact communities. It will also provide them with several opportunities to volunteer or get first aid or CPR training. State and local governments, individual communities, private businesses and nonprofit organizations will host events or promote preparedness steps around the country during September to encourage all Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools.

Below is a list of the organizations participating in National Preparedness Month as of today:

The Advertising Council
The American Legion
American Legion Auxiliary
The America Prepared Campaign, Inc.
American Red Cross
The American Safety and Health Institute, Inc.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
Boy Scouts of America
Church World Service
Citizen Corps
The Council of State Governments
Emergency Management Accreditation Program
Easter Seals
Fraternal Order of Police
Girl Scouts of the USA
Hispanic Business Roundtable
Hispanic War Veterans of America
International Association of Chiefs of Police
International Association of Emergency Managers
International Association of Fire Chiefs
International Union of Operating Engineers
Jewish War Veterans of the USA
The Latino Coalition
The Medical Reserve Corps
National Association of Broadcasters
National Association of Counties
National Association of State EMS Directors
National Cable and Telecommunications Association
National Crime Prevention Council
National Emergency Management Association
National Fatherhood Initiative
National Governors Association
National League of Cities
National Organization on Disability
National Retail Federation
National Safety Council
National Sheriffs Association
Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Persons
Outdoor Advertising Association
The Points of Light Foundation
Reserve Officers Association
The Safe America Foundation
The Salvation Army
Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc.
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners
United Service Organization
The United States Chamber of Commerce
United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce
USA Freedom Corps
The U.S. Conference of Mayors
U.S. Department of Education
U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Washington Metro Area Transit Authority
World Vision of the United States

Details about the official launch of National Preparedness Month and local events will be distributed in late August. For further information or to join this effort please call Kristin Gossel or Lara Shane at 202-282-8010.

The Ready Campaign is a national public service advertising campaign produced by the Ad Council in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Ready Campaign is designed to educate and empower American citizens to prepare for and respond to potential terrorist attacks and other emergencies. Citizens interested in receiving a "Get Ready Now" brochure may call 1-800-BE-READY or visit www.Ready.gov
for more information.