This Citizen Corps News Digest is provided by FEMA's Individual & Community Preparedness Division to highlight community preparedness and resilience resources and activities recently announced by federal agencies and Citizen Corps partners.

DHS and FEMA Updates

Are you Earthquake Ready? 23 Days Until the ShakeOut Central Drill
The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut is a day of special events featuring the largest earthquake drill ever, organized to inspire central U.S. residents to get ready for big earthquakes, and to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes. What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what our lives will be like afterwards. The ShakeOut drill will occur in houses, businesses, and public spaces alike throughout the central U.S. at 10:15 a.m. on April 28, 2011. Free registration at www.ShakeOut.org/centralus will pledge an individual's or group's participation in this important preparedness event. Participants will receive information on how to prepare for the inevitable major earthquake in the region and what actions to take before, during, and after the shaking.

Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)
From now until April 15 you can apply for FEMA's Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) which offers a valuable work experience for students. Apply clerical and administrative skills and experience in an exciting work environment with great people. To be successful in this field, it is essential that you have a high degree of flexibility. You may also be required to have computer literacy and the ability to type and transcribe data. If you are a versatile team player who enjoys assisting others, your skills and abilities are needed at FEMA. See the full description including locations on the FEMA website.

Citizen Corps Partners and Affiliates Updates

Be Prepared for the Severe Spring Weather Affecting Most of Country
The arrival of spring brings longer days, warmer weather, budding flowers and trees, and thunderstorms. The American Red Cross has several important tips that can help ensure safety during dangerous storms. Thunderstorms can be deadly. According to FEMA, lightning injures an average of three hundred people and causes about 80 fatalities each year. As dangerous as lightning is, flash flooding is responsible for more fatalities than any other danger associated with thunderstorms. At any given time, nearly 1,800 thunderstorms are occurring somewhere on Earth. Thunderstorms occur more in the spring and summer months, but can happen year round. They are most likely to hit during the afternoon and evening, but can happen any time of the day or night. Go to the American Red Cross website for recommends steps if a thunderstorm hits your area. You can also get helpful tips on preparing for and handling thunderstorms on the FEMA website.

HHS Launches New Consumer-Focused Immunization Website www.vaccines.gov
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services unveiled an innovative new website to help parents and other consumers learn about the most effective way to protect themselves and their children from infectious diseases and learn about immunization. Vaccines.gov brings together the best in federal resources on vaccine and immunizations to provide consumers with easy-to-understand health information specifically for their needs. Read more in the HHS press release .

Help the Japan Firefighters Association with Relief Efforts
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) established an International Relief Fund to assist the Japan Firefighters Association in their relief efforts after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. With thousands dead and thousands more still missing, as well as continuing aftershocks, mounting nuclear reactor problems, and millions of people without water, food, or heat, Japan has a long road to recovery. The Japan Firefighters Association has assisted U.S. firefighters in times of need through donations to 9/11 relief efforts as well as contributions to the NVFC's Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund, which provides financial assistance to volunteer firefighters in the wake of a state- or federally-declared disaster. To read more and to make a contribution to help aid the Japan Firefighters Association during this time of extreme crisis please go to the NVFC website.

United States Senate Proclaims April as National 9-1-1 Education Month
U.S. Senate Resolution 218 declares April as National 9-1-1 Education Month. During this month be on the look out for 9-1-1 public awareness events, such as conferences and media outreach; training activities for businesses, parents, teachers, school administrators, and other caregivers; educational events in schools and other appropriate venues; and production and distribution of information about the 9-1-1 system, designed to educate people of all ages on the importance and proper use of 9-1-1. Read the Senate Resolution and get more information about National 9-1-1 Education Month at the E911institute here http://www.e911institute.org/.

Other Preparedness Updates

We are providing the following links to third party sites for your reference. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies, or applications

iPhone App Puts Disaster Resources at Florida County Residents' Fingertips
Disaster Management Magazine, in a March 30, 2011 article by Corey McKenna, reported on a new iPhone application soon to be available in Orange County, Florida that provides information on "hazards on the horizon, resources to help citizens prepare for a disaster as well as where to go following its impact." The Orange County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) application, called OCFL Alert, will have four sections including alerts, information, events, and frequently asked questions. For more information read the full article on the Disaster Management website.

These news stories and other Individual & Community Preparedness news can be found on our website at www.citizencorps.gov.

Sincerely,

The National Office of Citizen Corps
FEMA Individual & Community Preparedness Division

FEMA Major Disaster Declarations Update

Wisconsin Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm
Tue, 05 Apr 2011 18:16:45 -0500

Major Disaster Declaration number 1966 declared on Apr 05, 2011

Oklahoma Jones-Spencer Fire
Thu, 07 Apr 2011 07:02:26 -0500

Fire Management Assistance Declaration number 2883 declared on Apr 06, 2011

North Dakota Flooding
Fri, 08 Apr 2011 06:47:03 -0500

Emergency Declaration number 3318 declared on Apr 07, 2011

Hawaii Tsunami Waves
Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:20:11 -0500

Major Disaster Declaration number 1967 declared on Apr 08, 2011