September is National Preparedness Month!

Released: September 16, 2024

September is National Preparedness Month!

Delaware County's Department of Emergency Services wants to ensure residents are prepared for emergencies and disasters

September is National Preparedness Month and this year’s theme is “Start a Conversation”. Families and businesses can be better prepared and bounce back quicker when they understand and plan for the potential hazards, disasters, and emergencies that are most likely to impact them.

Start by Asking Key Questions

• What types of disasters are most likely to occur where I live or work, floods, tornados, earthquakes, wildfires, etc.?
• How do I safely turn off the gas and electricity in an emergency?
• If I need to evacuate immediately, do I have essential items packed and ready to go?
• What important documents should I take with me, and how should they be safely stored?
• Do I have enough supplies to shelter in place for an extended period?
• Where are the nearest shelters located?
• Does my family have a designated meeting place in case we are separated?

These are just a few questions to help start those important conversations. Being prepared for the “what if’s” can reduce feelings of helplessness, fear, and anxiety. It helps build stronger, more resilient families, businesses, and communities, ultimately leading to quicker recovery.

The Delco Alert System

To stay informed and receive emergency alerts for your area of Delaware County, please sign-up online at DelcoPA.Gov/DelcoAlert.

To learn more about emergency preparedness and to plan for disasters, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Ready.Gov website.