From: http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/citizens-preparedness.shtm

Protecting the United States from threats like terrorism, natural disasters, and infectious disease is a shared responsibility and everyone has an important role to play. There are a number of actions you can take to ensure your family is prepared for – and more resilient to – emergencies of all kinds.

Subscribe to weekly Department of Homeland Security Family Preparedness e-mail for tips and guidance on preparing for and responding to a variety of threats

Learn Three Basic Steps You Can Take to Prepare Your Family Now:

Make a kit- Build an emergency supply kit by considering your family's unique needs, like eye glasses and prescription medications

Have a plan- Create a family plan with a designated meeting place and consider simple steps that will protect your family until you can be with them

Be informed- Learn about the types of emergencies that could take place in your community, including where you live, where you work and where your children attend school

Learn a first aid skill such as CPR, or study up on general first aid practices. Learn about first aid classes offered by your local Red Cross office

Subscribe to alert services. Many communities now have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails to let you know about bad weather, road closings, local emergencies, etc. Learn what your community offers by visiting your local Office of Emergency Management web site

From: http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/editorial_0498.shtm

The Homeland Security Centers of Excellence under the Office of University Programs bring together leading experts and researchers to conduct multidisciplinary research and education for homeland security solutions. Each center is led by a university in collaboration with partners from other institutions, agencies, laboratories, think tanks and the private sector.

The Centers are directly aligned with the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate's six divisions, creating linkages between the Department and other customers as well as providing enduring cross-cutting technology and basic research needs for the Department and the nation.

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 granted the Department the authority to create university-based Centers of Excellence. The Centers are authorized by Congress and chosen by the Department's Science and Technology Directorate through a competitive selection process.