2020 has taught many of us both personally and professionally the value of preparedness. September, National Preparedness Month, is an opportunity for us to take stock and look forward. It is also an opportunity for local health departments and Medical Reserve Corps units to raise awareness about the importance of community disaster planning. Building on the theme of “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today.”, Ready.gov offers a variety of resources that local health departments and MRC units can share widely throughout the community to promote year-round community vigilance and strengthen collective resilience.
NACCHO encourages LHDs and MRC units to take advantage of Preparedness Month to engage families, communities, businesses, and other regional partners in preparedness activities. This year’s weekly focus points are listed below:
- September 1-5: Make A Plan
- September 6-12: Build A Kit
- September 13-19: Prepare for Disasters
- September 20-26: Teach Youth About Preparedness
Resources available on Ready.gov to support your efforts include videos, graphics, and emergency preparedness publications.