Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center

September is National Preparedness Month
The following information was posted in the INFOGRAM 33-08 on August 28, 2008.

National Preparedness Month
Next week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s fifth annual National Preparedness Month (NPM) begins with the support of more than 2,700 national, regional, state, and local NPM coalition members, the largest number to date.

"National Preparedness Month is an important reminder about each American's civic responsibility to prepare for emergencies," according to DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff. "Those with the capacity and wherewithal to help themselves must do so in advance, so that in the event of an emergency, responders can first assist those who are unable to tend to themselves. From wildfires and earthquakes in California, to hurricanes and tropical storms along the Gulf Coast, to flooding in the Midwest, recent events remind us more than ever that we must prepare ourselves and our families for a disaster. This is the time, each year, when every American should ask the question, 'Am I ready?'"

In keeping with their tradition of serving and protecting the nation, hundreds of local, municipal, and state Emergency Services Sector (ESS) departments and agencies are coalition members. ESS personnel, aware that citizen readiness potentially aids emergency assistance efforts, will encourage the public to take important preparedness steps—acquiring an emergency supply kit, devising a family emergency plan, becoming informed about the different emergencies that may affect them, and getting involved in community preparedness and response efforts—all with the goal of substantially improving their ability to survive and recover from all types of natural or man-made emergencies.

NPM coalition members will urge Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, schools, and communities by hosting events such as seminars, fairs, community outreach events, workshops, webinars, and training. An event calendar can be viewed at www.ready.gov. A Spanish language version is available at www.listo.gov. The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center invites ESS personnel to visit http://www.ready.gov/america/npm08/intro.html to register for coalition membership.