National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month, a time to get more prepared for disasters and emergencies before they happen.
Our area has many “hazards” that could become disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, wildfires and others associated with the changing climate. The recent fires in Maui are an urgent reminder for our community to be be prepared. If you are already prepared, September is a great month to check the expiration dates of food and water supplies and to get more prepared.
FEMA 2023 Theme: Preparing for Older Adults
The Ready Campaign’s 2023 National Preparedness Month campaign will focus on preparing older adults for disaster, specifically older adults from communities that are disproportionally impacted by the all-hazard events, which continue to threaten the nation.
We know older adults can face greater risks when it comes to the multitude of extreme weather events and emergencies we now face, especially if they are living alone, are low-income, have a disability, or live in rural areas. Please visit Ready.gov/older-adults and Ready.gov/es/adultos-mayores for resources. For more information on preparing with disabilities visit Ready.gov/disability or Ready.gov/es/discapacidad in Spanish.
Everyone can be ready for emergencies and disasters. It doesn’t have to be expensive or happen all at once. Being ready means having an emergency plan, staying informed and aware of risks, and knowing how to get information during an disaster.
There are many practical low- and no-cost actions you can take today to be prepared, including:
- Sign up for local emergency Alert & Warning Systems
- Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on cell phones.
- Make and practice an emergency plan that outlines what to do before, during and after an emergency. Talk with your support network about the plan.
- Pack an emergency kit with two weeks’ worth of food, water, supplies and necessities like medications, copies of important documents and phone chargers. You probably already have many necessary items for an emergency kit in your home. Start small and work toward the two-week goal.
- Check with neighbors and loved ones before and during severe weather, utility outages, or other emergencies.
- Join MPC Ready as a block coordinator! or attend one of our monthly community meetings.
A disaster can happen anywhere at any time, and once it occurs, it may take days or even weeks for responders to reach everyone impacted.
For every person that is prepared, that’s one less person first responders need to assist, saving precious time and allowing them to prioritize life-threatening situations and vulnerable people. Doing your part to prepare yourself and your loved ones truly helps to save the lives of others.