Refer to the Ready.gov website as a resource or download the FEMA application for disaster resources, weather alerts and safety tips.

National Preparedness Month (NPM)

September is National Preparedness Month (NPM). National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. National Preparedness Month is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The goal of the month is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourage individuals to take action. Throughout September, Homeland Security will work with a wide variety of organizations, including local, state and federal government agencies and the private sector, to highlight the importance of family emergency preparedness and promote individual involvement through events and activities across the nation.

Being prepared for emergencies is crucial at home, school, work and in your community. Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood, workplace or school. It could also confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services – water, gas, electricity or telephones – were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away. The best way to make you and your family safer is to be prepared before disaster strikes. We encourage you to: Make a Plan, Help your Neighbors, Practice and be Informed and Get Involved.

This September, NPM will focus on planning, with an overarching theme “Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You can.”
We should all take action to prepare! We are all able to help first responders in our community by training how to respond during an emergency and what to do when disaster strike – where we live, work and visit. The goal is to increase the overall number of individuals, families, and communities that engage in preparedness actions at home, work, business, school and place of worship.

1) Make a Plan for Yourself, Family and Friends
a) Make an Emergency Plan
b) Sign up for alerts and warnings in your area
c) Learn your evacuation route and have an evacuation plan
d) Check your insurance coverage and review your insurance guides
e) Protect your identity, watch out for frauds and scams and keep your personal information secure
f) Flood proof important documents by putting them in plastic bags to protect against water damage
g) Keep a small amount of cash on hand in case of emergencies

2) Plan to Help your Neighbors and Community
a) Learn some skills to help yourself and others until other help can arrive
b) Check on your neighbors
c) Speak to the power company about utility safety
d) You and your neighbors should have a plan together to help each other out during an emergency
e) Know how to shut off utilities like gas, water and electricity

3) Practice and Build Out your Plans
a) Complete your Emergency First Aid Kit
b) Know how to access community resources
c) Have at least one week supply of medications
d) Know how you will pay for your bills if disaster strikes
e) Gather and store critical personal, household and medical information for easy access during a disaster

4) Get Involved! Be a Part of Something Larger
a) Help to set up the community, business or faith based organization for an emergency
b) Assist your community getting ready for a disaster
c) Know how to get in touch with family/friends if communications are down
d) Take steps to protect your community and local businesses by illuminating exterior/entrances and clear anything away that could fuel fires.

Use this opportunity to find ways or help others understand more about preparing for disasters that reduce risks to health and the environment from contamination, leaks, spills, hazardous materials, and other dangers. Disaster can strike at any time of the day, so it's important to have a planned response when you're at work, on vacation or on the road.