| September 2019: National Preparedness Month, National Household Survey Results, Head Start Prepares, and more |
| 09/05/2019 |
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September is National Preparedness Month
National Preparedness Month (NPM) is recognized each September. It’s a great time for families to review preparedness steps. The 2019 theme is “Prepared, Not Scared.” Each week of the month highlights a different preparedness topic. Learn more tips here.
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FEMA Releases 2018 National Household Survey Results on Individual and Community Preparedness
This September, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will release the results from the 2018 National Household Survey (NHS). Every year, FEMA surveys the American public to assess how the culture of personal disaster preparedness and resilience has changed over time. The NHS also measures individuals’ attitudes and behaviors regarding preparedness and assesses what influences them to begin preparing for a future hazard. Estimates from the 2018 NHS suggest that an increasing percentage of the American public are actively preparing for disasters. Read more…
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Preparación para Todos: Listos Educates the Whole Community
September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. This month recognizes the important contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. One program known for such contributions is LISTOS. LISTOS was recently featured at the California For All CERT and LISTOS Conference.
Based in California, LISTOS is an emergency preparedness course tailored to Spanish speakers. Translated from Spanish, “listos” means “smart,” “ready,” or “prepared.” This program addresses barriers Spanish speakers might face, even beyond language. For example, some people may feel intimidated when they interact with emergency responders. Additionally, cost and time to prepare can also be barriers. Read more…
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Coming soon!
FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Division is excited to announce a new resource for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) coming soon. “OPEN: Organizations Preparing for Emergency Needs” is a course that will be available online and for download. The course is designed for those who own, manage, or work for CBOs, like food banks and childcare facilities. It will help participants learn to:
- Describe the important roles your organization plays in incidents.
- Identify risks to your organization.
- Describe the actions you can take to help your organization prepare for incidents.
- Locate resources to help you take preparedness actions.
Stay tuned for updates coming soon!
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Head Start Program Training to Prepare and Recover Faster
It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about disasters, but childcare plays an important role in disaster recovery. Imagine a family affected by a hurricane. Their house may need repairs, neighbors may need help, and money could be a concern. Parents depend on safe and reliable childcare. If a community childcare center cannot open, then parents cannot return to work. Businesses lose workers, and stores lose customers. This can affect the ability of the whole community to recover. This is especially true in historically under-served communities where Head Start centers have a heavy presence. Preparing Head Start and other early childhood education centers is vital to recovery. Read more…
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FEMA Region V Regional Youth Preparedness Council members with a FEMA National Youth Preparedness Council Member and Regional Administrator James K. Joseph.
Webinar: Youth Can Help with Preparedness
Join FEMA this National Preparedness Month (NPM) for a webinar on youth preparedness. Youth preparedness is a key theme for NPM this year. This webinar will feature FEMA experts and a member of the Youth Preparedness Council (YPC). They will discuss the needs of children and families before, during, and after disasters. They will also talk about how YPCs can improve community resilience. Finally, they will share new programs and tools for kids launched this year.
The webinar will be Tuesday, September 24, 12:00-1:00 PM EDT. Learn more and register here.
Share Your Stories
If you have a story, event, or resource you would like to share, let us know at FEMA-prepare@fema.dhs.gov.
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FEMA Region V Hosts Inaugural Regional Youth Preparedness Summit
FEMA Region V recently hosted its first Regional Youth Preparedness Council Summit. FEMA Region V serves Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin and held the Summit in Chicago, Illinois. The Summit lasted two days from July 31 to August 1, 2019.
At the Summit, Council members met with FEMA staff, state partners, and other organizations working on youth preparedness. They also met with Regional Administrator James K. Joseph and explored career paths with a panel of FEMA employees. Hannah Schultz, a member of the national Youth Preparedness Council from Region V, also attended. She shared her experiences and will be a mentor to the Region V Council Members.
Each year, members complete projects in their schools and communities. This year, they started preparedness clubs at their high schools, gave out supplies for preparedness kits, hosted Student Tools for Emergency Planning (STEP) events, and organized trainings. During the Summit, the Council members presented these projects. They also shared their ideas to help FEMA to reach more young people in building a culture of preparedness.
This year, four returning Council members will be joined by three new members. Stay tuned for more from FEMA Region V’s Regional Youth Preparedness Council and learn more here.
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Start Small, Save Up for Emergencies
This September, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is joining FEMA for National Preparedness Month. Together, they will highlight the importance of emergency savings and financial preparedness.
Savings is critical to your financial well-being. A lack of short-term savings can cause financial stress. It can also result in significant financial hardship when the unexpected happens. People generally don’t expect medical emergencies, natural disasters, or an expensive car or home repair. But these things can happen at any time. Having an emergency fund allows you to better withstand a financial shock.
In February 2019, the CFPB launched the Start Small, Save Up initiative to increase awareness of the importance of saving. Read more…
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Register Your Event
Register your event today www.ready.gov/prepare. Whether you are hosting a Prepareathon, CERT training, or other preparedness event—be counted, get access to resources, and share with others!
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Your Disaster Checklist
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Ready campaign, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) are excited to announce the newly co-branded Your Disaster Checklist! Collecting, copying, and storing your financial information now could help you avoid unnecessary challenges during and after a disaster. It could also help you recover faster. Use this checklist to make sure you have the information and documents you need.
Your Disaster Checklist will soon be available to order for free from the CFPB warehouse. You can also download and print it here. Get your disaster checklist today!
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Disclaimer: The reader recognizes that the federal government provides links and informational data on various disaster preparedness resources and events and does not endorse any non-federal events, entities, organizations, services, or products. Please let us know about other events and services for individual and community preparedness that could be included in future newsletters by contacting
FEMA-prepare@fema.dhs.gov.
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| Private Sector Advisory: FEMA Urges Caution When Returning to Hurricane Damaged Areas; Offers Tips for Clean-Up |
| 09/05/2019 |
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The following is for widest distribution.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Public-Private Partnerships Team
Office of External Affairs
FEMA-IGA@fema.dhs.gov
Private Sector Advisory
FEMA Urges Caution When Returning to Hurricane Damaged Areas; Offers Tips for Clean-Up
September 5, 2019
WASHINGTON – As Hurricane Dorian continues up the East Coast, FEMA urges those in the storm’s path to be alert to the risks of storm surge and flooding. As evacuation orders are being lifted, FEMA warns residents to use caution when they return home.
Return When It Is Safe
If you evacuated for the storm, check with local officials before returning home. Do not return home unless you are told it is safe to do so. You may encounter poor road conditions, or power or debris crews working to clear roadways.
Beginning Your Recovery
As you begin your recovery and clean-up process, take photos or videos to help document any damage.
Additionally, you should file insurance claims or contact your insurance agent:
- For all types of insurance, notify your insurance agent or company if your property is inaccessible. Let them know when you do gain access.
- If you have a flood insurance policy, you may be eligible for reimbursement of actions you took to protect your property before the flooding occurred. Call your insurance agent to find out more.
- To file a flood insurance claim, contact your insurance agent immediately. You can also call 1-800-427-4661 or visit the flood claim site to learn more about your policy and be directed to the appropriate claims resource.
Cash Donations Are Best!
For those who weren’t impacted by Dorian and would like to support those who are beginning their recovery, a financial contribution is the most effective way to help.
Whether you are donating money or your time, visit the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster to find a trusted voluntary or charitable organization.
Visit cidi.org for information on how you can donate to relief efforts in the Bahamas.
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Please help support FEMA’s mission of “Helping people before, during and after disasters.”
Download the FEMA App to locate and get directions to open shelters across the state, and receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States. Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.twitter.com/FEMAespanol, https://www.facebook.com/FEMA, www.facebook.com/FEMAespanol and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Acting Administrator Pete Gaynor’s activities @FEMA_Pete.
The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.
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