WASHINGTON-NCUA Chairman JoAnn Johnson joined officials from the Department of Homeland Security Citizen Corps, Federal Emergency Management Agency, USA Freedom Corps, and Operation HOPE, Inc. last week in releasing an important tool for consumers in case of emergency. The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit is free and is aimed at helping to organize crucial financial records to reduce the financial blow of a natural disaster or national emergency. "We all recognize with recent natural disasters, planning is important, however, an often overlooked aspect is planning for family emergency financial situations," Johnson said in remarks at the Sept. 27 signing ceremony. "The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit is an excellent tool for families to prepare for the future." Johnson encouraged credit unions to look over the EFFAK as a product to provide members and others in their communities. "In the same spirit of the `people helping people' philosophy, credit unions continue to demonstrate compassion in helping their members in time of need, and this is another great opportunity to assist members with financial planning," the chairman said. The EFFAK is available online at www.ncua.gov/Publications/brochures/EmergencyFinancialFirstAidKit.pdf.