Since 2004, FEMA’s Ready Campaign has observed National Preparedness Month to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies. The month is a great time to take small steps to make a big difference in being prepared.
This year’s National Preparedness Month theme is Preparedness Starts at Home and is focused on getting started with the basics of preparedness. We are asking people to visit Ready.gov for helpful preparedness information and tips, and to take four key actions to prepare for any disaster they may face.
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The first step to preparing is to know what could happen where your family lives. This will help you understand the steps you can take to make sure you have what you need to stay safe. Visit Ready.gov to explore risks in your area.
Make a Family Emergency Plan
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Knowing what to do before an emergency strikes can reduce stress and save time and money. Don’t wait until the last minute to plan—decide how to keep yourself and your family safe. Visit Ready.gov/plan for tips on what to do before disaster strikes. While you’re there, you can create a free Family Emergency Plan with our fillable form.
Build an Emergency Supply Kit
- Having enough food, water and medicine can keep you safe and comfortable until help arrives.
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Build a go-bag with all the essentials you might need so you don’t need to scramble in an emergency. Find a list of supplies at Build a Kit on FEMA.gov.
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Disasters are costly but preparing for them doesn’t have to be. Visit Ready.gov/low-and-no-cost for tips you can use to save money and give yourself peace of mind.
Get Involved in Your Community
- Emergencies can happen fast, and emergency responders aren’t always nearby. You may be able to save a life by taking simple actions immediately.
- You can take a first aid class through organizations like the American Red Cross, local government groups or places like the YMCA. Some are free, but costs vary, so make sure you read the course information carefully.
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Join a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and get trained in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. Contact your local emergency management agency to see if there’s a CERT in your area.
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Take a free online independent study course through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute or a CPR course through the American Red Cross to learn how to help your community.
Read the Trump Administration Presidential Message on National Preparedness Month.
In support of National Preparedness Month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center for Faith is encouraging leaders at faith-based institutions to take steps to enhance their security and that of their communities. Over the course of several weeks, DHS is hosting a series of webinars designed to share practical tools, resources and actions that can assist communities to increase the safety of their places of worship across the country. These webinars will focus on topics like:
- Suspicious Activity Recognition and Response.
- Bomb Threat Assessment.
- Active Shooter Preparedness.
- Surveillance Detection Principles.
- Conflict Prevention Strategies.
View the full calendar of events and register for webinars by visiting FEMA.gov.
Twenty years ago, on Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall near the Louisiana-Mississippi border. The Category 3 hurricane was one of the most-devastating disasters in U.S. history, claiming nearly 1,400 lives and displacing approximately 770,000 people along the Gulf Coast.
Federal disaster declarations covered 90,000 square miles across the region, and the storm left behind billions of dollars in economic losses and infrastructure damage. The destruction of communities in the storm’s path led to recovery efforts that continued for many years.
Read the blog at FEMA.gov.
 New Orleans, La. (Aug. 31, 2005) - Members of FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue task forces continue search operations into areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina. (Photo by FEMA)
Texas Individuals Affected by July Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds and Flooding can Apply for FEMA Assistance Until Sept. 4
Individuals and counties affected by severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes from July 2-18 in the designated areas of Texas can apply for FEMA assistance until Sept. 4.
Survivors are encouraged to file insurance claims for damage to their homes, personal property and vehicles before they apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA Individual Assistance cannot pay for expenses or other sources will cover.
The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or the Spanish language site DisasterAssistance.gov/es.
If you need more information or additional help:
- Download the FEMA App.
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for assistance in multiple languages. If you use a relay service—such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others—provide FEMA the number for that service.
- Find in-person FEMA support at fema.gov/drc.
- To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit What to Expect Before Applying for FEMA Assistance.
When applying for FEMA assistance, specify the damage and the date it occurred to ensure you are applying under the correct declaration number.
For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4879.
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FEMA Offers Additional Trainings on the Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide Process
On July 1, FEMA published an updated Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide, which defines how state, local, tribal and territorial officials and FEMA staff, collects, validate, quantify and document damage following a disaster.
To help the emergency management community understand the updates in the 2025 Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide, FEMA is offering virtual training sessions Mondays from noon to 1 p.m. ET on Sept. 8, Sept. 22, Oct. 6 and Oct. 20.
To join the webinar on any of the available dates, visit the FEMA Zoom.
- Meeting ID: 161 5791 3048
- Passcode: 2025
To learn more, visit the Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide webpage.
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FEMA Begins Process to Update the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Manual
In preparation for the next update of the manual in 2027, FEMA is requesting public comments on the current 2023 edition of the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Manual.
The public comment period will be open until Sept. 30.
To submit a comment:
- Access the 2023 manual on FEMA.gov.
- Complete a Comment Matrix form to capture relevant details, such as page number, background information and recommended solution language.
- Email a copy of the completed Comment Matrix to FEMATHDPolicy@fema.dhs.gov, with the subject line “2023 RPM Public Comment.”
Please note, if you participated in FEMA’s recent Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program Scenario Guidance Listening Sessions, FEMA has captured your feedback, and you do not need submit a comment.
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