The International Association of Fire Chiefs is asking fire departments to help their residents connect digital converter boxes as part of the upcoming nationwide Digital Transition Assistance Project.

On Saturday, June 12, all full-power TV stations in the United States will stop analog broadcast service and transmit only digital signals. Consumers who do not subscribe to pay television services and have older, analog televisions will need to attach digital-to-analog converter boxes to their TVs to continue receiving over-the-air television programming.

The Federal Communications Commission requested assistance from several organizations, including the IAFC, to help with the conversion from analog to digital television services scheduled for this weekend. The commission is anticipating a flood of calls when the analog signal is cut and for several days following. The FCC asked for the IAFC's assistance in several high-priority areas across the country, particularly in the Midwest.

According to Peter West, who coordinating this effort for the IAFC, there is a two-fold benefit to fire departments that are visiting individuals' homes to connect the converter boxes.

"We get to ask if their smoke detector is working," West said. "And if individuals have television service, they will get news reports for emergency broadcast messages."

Fire departments willing to volunteer will be listed with the IAFC's DTV program coordinator and the FCC will be advised of help within corresponding zip codes. Consumers in need of assistance should contact the FCC's national toll-free helpline, 1-888-CALL-FCC. The FCC will relay requests to the IAFC, who will then contact the area fire department.

Fire departments that want to sign up should contact the IAFC at (703) 896-4832 or by e-mail at DTV@IAFC.org.