SE Oakland News

September is “National Preparedness Month."

Under the theme “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today,” Homeland Security Manager Thomas Hardesty urged Oakland County-area residents to prepare for emergencies by having a contingency plan worked out in advance.

“COVID-19 has reminded us all of the need to prepare for disasters, whatever they may be,” Hardesty said on the Oakland County website. “National Preparedness Month is a great opportunity to consider emergency risks and take steps to ensure that we are ready individually so that our community can be stronger and more resilient.”   

Over the four weeks of September, residents are urged to make a plan on how to communicate with family members during an emergency, build a kit, including stored food supplies and water to last for several days, and to know the risk of disasters in your hometown and be ready in case of an alert.

Children and teens should be included in the planning, the county website advised.

“Being prepared is one of the most important actions we can take against disaster,” Hardesty said on the Oakland County website. “The recommendations for this year’s National Preparedness Month will allow our residents to be prepared, not only against COVID-19, but many other types of emergencies.”

Oakland County residents can get more information at Oakland County's Homeland Security.