Every September, communities across the United States recognize National Preparedness Month (NPM). This month is dedicated to raising awareness about disaster readiness and encouraging organizations and businesses to take proactive steps toward resilience! At Prometheus, we’re eager to celebrate these initiatives and recognize the importance of preparedness alongside like-minded leaders and trailblazers. Led by Ready.gov and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, this month-long observance underscores the importance of being ready for the unexpected.
Read last year’s National Preparedness Month article in the Prometheus Resource Center!
The 2025 theme, “Preparedness Starts at Home,” brings us back to the basics. It’s a reminder that oftentimes, the most effective preparedness efforts begin at the individual household level. When families are prepared, they’re able to protect themselves and reduce strain on local emergency services, lightening the impact in a small but mighty way.
Ready.gov has published toolkits, graphics, and outreach resources to make it easy for organizations, businesses, and even individuals to participate in this year’s observance. But at the heart of this initiative are four foundational actions every household can take.
Know Your Risk
Preparedness begins with awareness! Every region faces its own unique hazards, whether that’s hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, or winter storms. Understanding what could happen in your area helps you plan accordingly. At Prometheus, comprehensive risk assessments are one of the first steps in our process, as we recognize the importance of gaining a thorough understanding of an area’s unique challenges and factors. Ready.gov offers detailed guidance on various disaster types, allowing you to assess your household’s specific risks and identify the safety measures that are most important.
Make a Family Emergency Plan
Emergencies are stressful, but a plan made in advance can provide immense clarity when every second counts. A family emergency plan outlines how you’ll communicate, where you’ll meet, and what steps each person will take if disaster strikes. Ready.gov’s fillable Family Emergency Plan form makes it simple to create and share a plan with loved ones.
Preparedness doesn’t have to be expensive! Many actions, such as planning evacuation routes or designating an out-of-town contact, cost nothing, but can make all the difference when it matters most.
Build an Emergency Supply Kit
Having essential supplies on hand means you’ll be ready if you need to shelter in place or evacuate quickly. Food, water, medications, and important documents should all be part of your kit. Check out this comprehensive Build A Kit list to get started on your at-home emergency supply and portable “go-bag” kits. Investing a little time in creating a kit today can prevent uncertainty tomorrow.
Get Involved in Your Community
Preparedness extends beyond the front door. Emergencies often unfold faster than first responders can even arrive, which means neighbors and community members usually step up as the first line of support. Taking a CPR class, joining a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), or completing free online emergency response courses can help you contribute valuable skills in times of need. Building these connections and remaining rooted in your community will foster resilience at a broader scale.
Why Preparedness Matters for Everyone
Disasters are costly, both financially and emotionally. But research consistently shows that households and businesses that take the time to prepare recover faster and with less disruption. By focusing on preparedness at the household level, National Preparedness Month 2025 reminds us that resilience begins with small, practical steps – steps that anyone can take, regardless of their budget.
For organizations, community groups, and businesses, this observance is also an opportunity to model preparedness, share and distribute resources, and encourage broader participation. From hosting community preparedness events to simply sharing graphics on social media, every action helps spread awareness and strengthen the collective safety net.
Take Action This Month
This September, let’s commit to the essentials. Preparedness isn’t just about responding to disaster; it’s about building peace of mind and strengthening communities before an emergency ever begins.
Visit Ready.gov/September for free resources, toolkits, and guides to help your household – or your organization – participate in National Preparedness Month 2025. When preparedness starts at home, we’re all better protected!
