September is designated as National Preparedness Month, an annual opportunity to encourage personal and community disaster preparedness. This year’s theme is “Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.” This four-week initiative focuses on specific ways in which individuals and families can better plan for emergencies.
Weekly emphases throughout National Preparedness Month include:
- Week 1: September 1-9 Make a Plan for Yourself, Family and Friends
- Week 2: September 10-16 Plan to Help Your Neighbors and Community
- Week 3: September 17-23 Practice and Build Out Your Plans
- Week 4: September 24-30 Get Involved! Be a Part of Something Larger
Preparedness efforts should be customized to the needs of your family and enhance your ability to survive a disaster event.
As you create an emergency plan, consider the following:
- How will you receive emergency alerts and real-time weather updates?
- Where will you take shelter and where will your family meet?
- How will you evacuate the area?
- Who will serve as your primary contact person following a disaster?
The Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) encourages you to prepare now for disaster.
“Families who dedicate time to communicate about how they will respond to disaster are going to be in the best position to weather the next storm,” said Larry Woods, OEM Director. “A sense of complacency and thinking that it can’t or won’t happen to you is the worst enemy of preparedness.”
Find preparedness resources to help you get started at oem.greenecountymo.gov.
To learn more about National Preparedness Month, visit ready.gov/september.