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 -FEMA Updates

Hurricane Isaac, Wildfires and Earthquakes

We extend our sincere appreciation to all the first responders who are assisting in response efforts to keep individuals and communities safe during Hurricane Isaac in the Gulf and wildfires and earthquakes out West. Please know your national community is here to support you!

Emergency Incidents Across the Country

Emergency incidents can occur at any time – sometimes with warning (such as hurricanes, wildfires) and sometimes without (such as earthquakes). In the past few weeks, many regions across the country have been affected by one or more emergency situations. Right now the Gulf Coast is enduring Hurricane Isaac while residents on the West Coast have been battling wildfires and a series of earthquakes . Regardless of whether or not you'll have warning in advance of a disaster, it's critical you know what to do and what to expect. Many incidents which come with advance warning may require you to evacuate your area . In the event of an evacuation directive, be prepared to have a family communications plan – know where you will all meet if you're separated; know important telephone numbers or contact information; and HEED EARLY WARNINGS . Nothing is more important than the lives of your loved ones.

It's just as critical to know what do in a no-warning situation such as an earthquake. If you start to feel the ground shaking stop whatever you're doing and Drop, Cover and Hold On . This past Sunday residents in the Southern California area had no warning when a series of small earthquakes rattled the region – and aftershocks may still occur.

FEMA and its partners have many tools and resources to help you prepare for an incident. Download apps for your phone to get tips and recommendations for a variety of disasters:

• FEMA – Android , Apple , Blackberry
• American Red Cross “Hurricane” app – Android , Apple

Job Posting for National CERT Program Director

FEMA is seeking a new Program Director for the National Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Do you have a passion for preparedness and have experience running a CERT program on the state or local level? Apply to support FEMA's mission for creating a more resilient nation. The position is a GS-14 level.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday, September 11, 2012 .

Click here for the full job announcement: http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/325249700 .

Zombie Awareness: Effective Practices in Promoting Disaster Preparedness

Are you ready for a “Zombie Apocalypse?” Join FEMA's Individual and Community Preparedness Division and Ready.gov on September 6 as they present a FREE Webinar about zombie preparedness. While the walking dead may not be first on your list of local hazards, zombie preparedness messages and activities are an effective way to engage new audiences who may not be familiar with what to do before, during or after a disaster.

Listen as speakers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Kansas Department of Emergency Management introduce fun and innovative emergency preparedness activities for communities to spark some attention and get people involved. These activities can be planned in September, during National Preparedness Month and executed just in time for Halloween.

Register/Log in

Register if this is your first time joining the Community Preparedness Webinar Series.

Log in if you have already registered for this webinar, have registered for a previous webinar or if you're a HSIN.gov user.

If you have questions regarding this event, please contact citizencorps@dhs.gov .

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New School Preparedness Tool Helps Parents and School Officials Kick-Off the School Year

Attention school administrators, parents and guardians! FEMA's Individual and Community Preparedness Division and the Department of Education recently introduced two new school information resource sheets, Preparedness Tips for School Administrators and Preparedness Tips for Parents and Guardians . Each contain tailored, practical suggestions about family and youth preparedness; links to tools and resources; and tips for discussing school emergency management activities such as evacuation and reunification procedures during Back to School Night events , PTA meetings or throughout the year. You can find additional youth and school preparedness resources through FEMA's National Preparedness Coalition website. Sign up today to learn more about preparedness activities and America's Pledge to Prepare !

Do You Know Enough About Your Local Hazards to Be Prepared? Join the National Preparedness Coalition and Connect with Others Facing Similar Risks!

A number of extreme weather and natural hazard events have transpired around the country over the last few weeks. Whether it has been wild fire s burning on the west coast, severe drought conditions in the central and southeast or the tropical storm currently making its way toward the Gulf coast, there is no better time than today to ensure you, your family and those in your community are prepared for any disaster or emergency event. Knowing what hazards may impact your area and what to do one strikes is a critical part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds matter. Share this information with family, neighbors, colleagues and friends and be sure to discuss how local emergency management handles these disaster or emergency events – talking about preparedness helps everyone be ready “just in case.”

And don't forget to sign up and join the National Preparedness Coalition , where you'll have the ability to connect with individuals and organizations throughout the country facing similar local hazards. You'll be able to share stories, recommendations and learn about what others are doing in the face of emergency events and obtain important tools and resources to assist you as you prepare, strengthen and build the resilience of your community. With less than one week until the start of National Preparedness Month, there is no better time to sign up and move your community from Awareness to Action by Pledging to Prepare and motivating individuals to adopt preparedness activities in their lives and spread the message of preparedness throughout their communities!

Partner and Community Updates

Alabama Readies its Citizens for Disaster Preparedness

Last week the State of Alabama and Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) announced the launch of an enhanced preparedness program, to be administered through Ready Alabama. Developed as part of the state's response to the April 2011 tornado events, the goal of this enhanced program is to foster a culture of preparedness through the use of social media and strategic partnerships with the National Weather Service, faith-based groups and other key agencies. For more information on this tool and Ready Alabama, please visit: www.readyalabama.gov .

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Job Posting for National CERT Program Director

Dear National CERT Community:

We recognize many of you are currently busy responding to the various emergency incidents occurring across the country. We want to thank you for your dedication and support. We also want to make you aware of a new opportunity at the federal level.

FEMA is seeking a new Program Director for the National Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Do you have a passion for preparedness and have experience running a CERT program on the state or local level? Apply to support FEMA's mission for creating a more resilient nation. The position is a GS-14 level.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday, September 11, 2012 .

Click here for the full job announcement: http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/325249700