On behalf of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, I would like to invite you to join us for a National Preparedness Month 2007 planning meeting. This September, Homeland Security will sponsor the fourth annual National Preparedness Month, a nationwide coordinated effort to encourage Americans to take steps to be better prepared for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools.

During the month, the Department will work closely with the National Preparedness Month Coalition, a group of public and private sector organizations like yours that will help support this important effort. National Preparedness Month Coalition members will highlight the importance of emergency preparedness by hosting events and sponsoring activities that disseminate emergency preparedness messages to and encourage action from their customers, members, employees, stakeholders and communities across the nation.

National Preparedness Month 2007 will highlight a variety of emergency preparedness topics and I will explain more on the Webinar. During the call we will review some of the plans for this year's effort and ways your organization can become involved as a National Preparedness Month Coalition Member.

New this year, we will have an improved calendar feature and message board, allowing you to post your National Preparedness Month events and view ideas of best practices from other Coalition Members. Learn more on the call.