• Are you prepared to respond if an emergency happens today?

If an emergency happens today, would you and your family be prepared to respond? National Preparedness Month is observed each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies to help keep you, your family, and the community safe. This year’s theme is “Americans Stand Ready.” The theme reflects the spirit of unity and resilience in communities throughout Detroit and the nation.

The Detroit Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security encourages residents to take small steps that make a big difference in being prepared so you are not caught off guard in the face of an emergency. These steps include preparing and practicing a family emergency plan, developing a family emergency communications plan, and building an emergency supplies kit.

Find information and resources on how to develop these plans and other ways to protect your family by visiting Ready.gov or detroitmi.gov/EMHS and searching emergency preparedness.

Another important step you can take to prepare for possible emergencies is to sign up to receive Detroit Alerts 365, the City of Detroit emergency notification system. To register to receive the alerts via text, phone, and/or email, or for more information, visit detroitmi.gov and search Detroit Alerts 365.