MADISON, Wis. – Although tornadoes, fires, floods, and other emergencies can’t be controlled, taking the time to plan and prepare can reduce their impacts. Gov. Tony Evers declared September as Preparedness Month in Wisconsin to emphasize the need for individuals, families, and communities to prepare for disasters and emergencies.
“Wisconsinites can help themselves by taking a few simple preparedness steps, starting right in their own homes,” said Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle. “Building a base level of preparedness helps families and communities recover faster and become more resilient in the event of an emergency or disaster.”
Preparedness is something to build up to, not something that will happen overnight. Take time this September to start or continue your or your family’s journey towards resilience.
- Develop your blueprints. Know what disasters and potential risks that could happen where you live, work, or go to school. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive alerts. You can receive alerts in several ways, including a trusted weather app, Wireless Emergency Alerts, local news, or a community alert system such as Nixle or Code Red.
- Set your Foundation. Develop a family emergency plan that includes what to do in the event an emergency or disaster forces you to remain at home for several days or you are forced to leave your home. Make sure the plan is practiced.
- Add the Finishing Touches. Create an emergency supply kit. Gather key items to get through an emergency in one location such as a first aid kit, nonperishable food, water, and flashlights. Remember to think about medical needs and don’t forget to include supplies for your pets. Make sure they are in waterproof and portable containers so you can take them with you in case you need to leave your home.
- Plan a Maintenance Timeline. Review your home and vehicle insurance policies to make sure you have adequate coverage during an emergency or disaster. Make sure you have access to your documents, whether they are in a waterproof container or accessible through the cloud. Update files annually or whenever there is a change.
As fall arrives, it is also important to consider mitigation steps you can take to reduce the risks of potential disasters to your home. Seasonal mitigation may include trimming branches, cleaning your gutters of leaves and debris, or scheduling a roof inspection.
“Preparedness Month is our annual reminder that readiness is not just a one-time precaution but an on-going necessity,” said Engle. “Planning for the unexpected may seem overwhelming initially, but the peace of mind from knowing you’re ready can help you weather the storm.”
Preparedness Month is recognized every September across the country as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Ready campaign. This year’s theme, “Preparedness Starts at Home,” focuses on steps we can all take at home to be more resilient communities in the event of an emergency.
To view Governor Evers’ proclamation, visit https://evers.wi.gov/Pages/Newsroom/Proclamations.aspx
For more tips on emergency preparedness, head to https://readywisconsin.wi.gov. You can also follow ReadyWisconsin on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
About ReadyWisconsin
ReadyWisconsin is a public service campaign of Wisconsin Emergency Management, a division of the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs. In alignment with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s national Ready campaign, ReadyWisconsin aims to educate and empower Wisconsinites to prepare for and respond to both natural and human-made emergencies, while engaging the public and boosting basic preparedness statewide. For more emergency preparedness resources, head to readywisconsin.wi.gov or follow ReadyWisconsin on Facebook, X, and Instagram for tips delivered straight to your feed.
