Residents Encouraged to Start a Conversation During National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month. The 2024 theme encourages everyone to talk about emergencies and take steps to get ready and stay safe.

September 3, 2024 | 2 min reading time

This September, the City of St. Louis Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), in partnership with its federal partner, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), wants City residents to talk about ways to prepare for emergencies in recognition of National Preparedness Month. First observed in 2004, National Preparedness Month is an annual reminder that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep families, friends and their communities safe.

In 2024, residents are asked to “Start a Conversation” about the types of emergencies or threats the region could face and the necessary steps to take to protect themselves and their families. Taking time when no threats are emerging allows you to build your plan at your own pace. Some important reminders when deciding on a time include: 

  • Set aside a time when everyone is calm and relaxed. 
  • If necessary, hold the discussions over a set time period so decisions are not rushed and people feel more comfortable discussing the topic. 
  • Talk about steps you’ve taken to prepare and encourage others to ask questions about preparedness actions that might work for them.

“Having conversations now about what to keep in a kit, where to meet if you and your family are separated, or who to have as an out-of-the-area contact in the event of a regional emergency, and then practicing those plans, will greatly help you navigate emergencies when they happen,” says Sarah Russell, Commissioner for the City of St. Louis Emergency Management Agency. 

Making a plan through these conversations is the first of three easy steps to being prepared for an emergency. The second step is to build a kit that includes food, water, medications, batteries, and flashlights if you must shelter in place. The last step is to stay informed. This can be done by listening to local stations on the radio, using a NOAA weather radio to get weather updates, or using mobile apps like the FEMA app or NotifySTL

Earlier this year, CEMA released multi-lingual Public Service Announcements encouraging residents to sign up for the City’s NotifySTL system. The system alerts residents to threats, including recent severe storms, heat advisories, and warnings. The videos are available on the CEMA’s website and YouTube Channel

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