(Washington, DC) District of Columbia residents will have an opportunity to review and comment on 39 draft community emergency management plans at a series of meetings to be convened by the District of Columbia Emergency Management Agency (DCEMA) during February and March. The draft plans were created by DCEMA following a series of training and planning meetings held in September 2002. The meetings gave community members an opportunity to be involved in the development and implementation of community response plans for their neighborhoods.

The training and planning program, called DC Community Citizen Response, is designed to help neighborhoods to prepare for and respond to all hazards, both natural and man-made.

DCEMA Director Peter G. LaPorte said, "This second round of community meetings will give us the opportunity to validate our plans. We'll also use this opportunity to continue to educate citizens about preparedness and response."

A schedule of the community meetings is also be available at the DCEMA office located on the eighth floor of the Frank Reeves Municipal Center, 2000 14th Street, NW.

Persons seeking additional information should call (202) 673-2101, ext. 1153.