By Steven Schauer, Deputy Executive Director
September is National Preparedness Month, a time to reflect on the importance of being ready for emergencies before they happen. Whether it’s an extended power outage, a major flood, an earthquake, severe weather, or another unexpected event, preparedness helps protect lives, reduce stress, and strengthen communities.
Being prepared is a shared responsibility. Governments, emergency responders, utilities, and community organizations all play important roles in helping communities prepare for and respond to disasters. At the same time, individuals and families have a responsibility to take personal steps to prepare. The actions you take today can help you care for yourself, support your family and friends, and assist your neighbors when emergencies occur.
National Preparedness Month is an excellent opportunity to review your plans and take practical steps to become more resilient. You can learn more about National Preparedness Month at the Federal Emergency Management Agency ‘s (FEMA) website.
Here are four key actions recommended by FEMA everyone can take to prepare for emergencies.
Know Your Risk
The first step in preparedness is understanding the hazards that could affect your home, workplace, and community. Knowing your risks helps you make informed decisions about the supplies, plans, and actions needed to stay safe.
Take time to learn about the types of emergencies most likely to occur where you live. In King County, that may include flooding, earthquakes, severe storms, landslides, extreme heat, or power outages. Understanding these risks can help you better prepare for what may come. You can learn more about how to prepare for these and other potential disasters at FEMA’s Ready.gov website.
The King County Flood Control District’s Be Flood Ready webpage provides information about flood risks and actions you can take to reduce your vulnerability before flooding arrives.
Make a Family Emergency Plan
Having a plan in place before an emergency occurs can save valuable time and reduce uncertainty during a stressful situation.
Start by gathering your household and discussing important questions, including:
- How will we receive emergency alerts and warnings?
- Where will we shelter if it is unsafe to stay at home?
- What evacuation routes should we use if we need to leave?
- How will family members communicate if separated?
- Do we need to update our emergency supplies?
As you create your plan, consider the specific needs of everyone in your household, including:
- Children and older adults
- Family members with disabilities or access and functional needs
- Medical conditions, prescriptions, and equipment
- Dietary requirements
- Pets and service animals
- Languages spoken in the household
- Cultural or religious considerations
Once your plan is documented, make sure everyone knows it. Just as importantly, practice it. Reviewing and exercising your plan regularly helps ensure everyone knows what to do when an emergency occurs.
Build an Emergency Supply Kit
When disasters disrupt normal services, having essential supplies on hand can help keep your household safe and comfortable until assistance arrives.
Your emergency supply kit should include enough food, water, medications, and other necessities to sustain your household during an emergency. Consider assembling both a home emergency kit and a portable “go-bag” that can be quickly taken with you if evacuation becomes necessary.
Preparing supplies in advance can reduce stress during an emergency and help prevent unnecessary injuries or property damage.
Get Involved in Your Community
Prepared communities are resilient communities.
Emergencies can happen quickly, and help may not always arrive immediately. Learning basic emergency response skills can make a meaningful difference for your family, neighbors, and community.
Consider taking a first aid or CPR class, joining a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, or completing a free emergency preparedness course through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute. These opportunities provide valuable training in disaster response, fire safety, search and rescue, and emergency medical assistance.
Another simple but powerful preparedness step is getting to know your neighbors. During emergencies, neighbors are often among the first people available to help. Building relationships before disaster strikes can create a stronger support network for everyone, especially older adults, families with young children, and individuals who may need additional assistance.
Prepare Now for Flood Season
National Preparedness Month, in September, is also a good reminder that King County’s flood season begins on October 1. The best time to prepare for flooding is before rivers begin to rise and storms arrive.
Take advantage of September to review your emergency plans, update your supplies, and learn about your flood risk. Small actions today can make a big difference when severe weather occurs.
For more flood preparedness information, tools, and resources, visit the King County Flood Control District’s Be Flood Ready webpage and learn how you can protect your family, property, and community before the next flood event.