The IACP has joined the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the American Red Cross, and the U.S. Department of Education have joined a coalition of more 50 national organizations to engage U.S. citizens in emergency preparedness by launching National Preparedness Month on September 9, 2004. According to DHS, all 56 state and territorial governors have pledged to mark National Preparedness Month with local events.