September is National Preparedness Month Published Sept. 26, 2024 By Samantha Childers Emergency Management Office National emergency preparedness month theme is "The Time to Prepare is Now." Gather supplies for your family, pets and services animals. (U.S. Department of Homeland Security graphic) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio - September is National Preparedness Month, and the theme this year is “Start a conversation about Preparedness.” For most people, talking about the “what-if’s” or bad things that could happen isn’t always easy. We may think we’re protecting the people we love by avoiding these conversations, but they are important to start taking steps to get ready and stay safe. By starting the conversation before something bad happens, it will be easier to ensure everyone in your family is prepared. Some simple steps you can take when starting the conversation: Set aside a time when everyone is calm and relaxed. It may help to hold the discussions over a set time period, so decisions aren’t rushed, and people feel more comfortable talking about the topic. Talk about steps you’ve taken to prepare and encourage others to ask questions about preparedness actions that might work for them. You should also take care to think about an age-appropriate way to tackle these difficult conversations with the children in your family. Younger kids will likely have lots of questions. On www.ready.gov, there are some great resources for how to talk to children about emergencies and how to be prepared without overwhelming them or making them scared. Disasters can strike with little to no warning, so it is key that you start the conversation about what your family will do. You want to be proactive and not reactive, if you wait until a disaster happens to create a plan, mistakes are much more likely. You should also consider the possibility that when a disaster happens, the family might not all be in the same place. Create a plan for how you will get in touch with each other, and where you will meet. There is also a strong possibility that when a disaster or emergency occurs, the entire family won’t all be together. It’s critical to plan ahead and create an Emergency Communications Plan that has important phone numbers, as well as who to contact or where to meet during a disaster. Everyone should have a copy of this Emergency Communication Plan digitally, as well as hard copy should technology not work. In addition to having a concrete plan that details the actions you should be taking during an emergency; your family should also be well prepared with an Emergency Kit. Ideally, you would have a kit at home, in your car, and in your workplace. Home—Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept. Work— Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water, and other necessities like medicines, as well as comfortable walking shoes, stored in a ‘grab and go’ case. Car— In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car. Knowing what to do what a disaster happens will make responding and recovering much easier. For more information on preparing for disasters or what to have in your emergency kits, visit www.ready.gov. Additionally, you can contact your local Unit Emergency Preparedness Coordinator or the Wright-Patterson AFB Office of Emergency Management.