Time to Get Ready – It’s National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month (NPM) and is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This year’s NPM theme – “Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.” – focuses on planning for emergencies such as fires, flooding, power outages, and earthquakes.

The goal of NPM is to increase the number of individuals and communities that prepare for emergencies systematically. You and your family should prepare for disasters and be able to help first responders in your community.

You can learn how to respond during an emergency through training programs like Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The course teaches disaster preparedness and basic disaster response skills such as CPR and first aid.

Each week in September has a different theme:                       

• Week 1 (September 1-9) focuses on making an emergency plan, checking your insurance coverage, and signing up for alerts in your area.
• Week 2 (September 10-16) emphasizes learning how to help others with training programs such as Until Help Arrives.
• Week 3 (September 17-23) is when you should focus on financial preparedness, emergency drills, and learning about your community resources.
• Week 4 (September 24-30) is the final stage in the preparedness plan where you can help your campus, business, faith-based organization, or community organization prepare for emergencies.

Besides creating an emergency plan, you can spread the word about NPM using the social media kit on NPM’s website. The kit provides key marketing and preparedness messaging to print or share on your social media channels.

Throughout September, over 3,000 organizations across the country will support emergency preparedness efforts and encourage Americans to take action.

During National Preparedness Month, be part of the national effort to fight disasters by engaging in preparedness actions. Make a plan, spread the word, and help others!