Preparedness for the Unexpected Starts at Home

 Sept. 16, 2025 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Ready Campaign has observed National Preparedness Month every September since 2004 to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies. This year's theme is "Preparedness Starts at Home."

This month is a great time to take small steps to make a big difference in being prepared, said Army Col. Nathan Allen, director of defense support of civil authorities for events and incidents. 

Get your family, home and pets ready for emergencies like fires, power outages, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes. Some places are more risk-prone than others, he said, citing FEMA emergency recommendations. 

Make an emergency plan that includes evacuation routes and emergency meeting points, taking into account the specific needs of individuals with disabilities.

Items to add to an emergency supply kit include first aid items, medications, a battery or solar-powered radio with emergency channels, flashlights and extra batteries, candles and lighters, at least a week's worth of water and nonperishable foods, and power bank chargers for cellphones and other electronic devices. 

Get some training on how to use your first aid supplies, as well. 

A reliable site for inclement weather warnings and updates is https://www.weather.gov. For more information about preparing for unexpected emergencies and disasters, visit https://www.ready.gov.