September is National Preparedness Month

FEMA observes National Preparedness Month each September to encourage Americans to be ready for emergencies, both big and small. PrepareMetroKC, a public education website created by the Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee, offers these tips to help you prepare for and respond to disasters. 

Know which disasters are more common in the Kansas City region

Different types of disasters call for different types of responses. Severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, fires, snow and ice storms, and hazardous material spills are all hazards that are real possibilities in the Kansas City region. Familiarize yourself with warning signs, safety tips and response needs for each of these situations.

Don’t ignore the risks of smaller disasters, like home fires, power outages and localized flooding. Fortunately, the preparedness plans, safety equipment and supplies for these events are also helpful for large-scale disasters.

Plan what to do, and where and when to go

Don’t wait until the last minute to decide what to do to keep yourself and your family safe.

Make sure you have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts, including wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) on your mobile device, through the free FEMA app and by having a NOAA weather radio on hand. Enroll in updates and notifications from Kansas City regional alert systems. Explore the resources and advice from your local emergency manager’s office.

Your family may not be together when an emergency or disaster strikes. Completing a family emergency plan can help you keep track of important information like your family’s doctors or medical providers, insurance information, and contact information.

Visit Ready.gov for step-by-step guidelines on making a family emergency plan.

Gather what you need to stay safe

Having a disaster kit ready is one of the most important steps you can take when preparing for a disaster. An emergency supply kit should always include water, food, first aid, tools, clothing and bedding. See our emergency supply kit checklist for a complete list of recommended items. If you already have a kit, check to ensure all items are in good condition and replace any expired items.

When making your plans and emergency kits, always consider any unique needs of those you care for, whether it be children, older adults, people with disabilities, your pets and any neighbors who might need help getting prepared. Resources like the Personal Preparedness Inventory can help you assess resources you may need before, during and after a disaster.

Having important documents at your fingertips can help you recover faster after a disaster. Consider uploading important documents such as insurance policies, rental agreements or mortgage statements, driver’s licenses, medical records, and banking information to a secure, password-protected external drive or in the cloud. Visit CISA.gov for steps you can take to keep yourself and your information safe online.

Hone your skills

Emergencies can happen fast, and emergency responders aren’t always nearby. You may be able to save a life by taking simple actions immediately. These educational tools can help:

• Take a free online independent study course through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute or CPR course through the American Red Cross.
• Join a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program and get trained on basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.