National Preparedness Month (NPM) is recognized each September to promote family, business and community disaster planning. NPM is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security. The 2020 NPM theme is: "Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today."

Emergency Alerts
Preparing ahead for disasters could reduce the risks to your health and property. Research which disasters and hazards could affect your family and home. Then, go to Ready.gov to sign up for alerts from public safety officials for timely and reliable updates.

Household Planning for Disasters
Kick off your disaster planning with these household discussion questions from Ready.gov.

1. What is my shelter plan?
Some emergencies may require you to take shelter and stay-at-home, go to a mass care shelter or shelter in place where you are. Read about the distinctions between the options.

2. What is my evacuation route?
If a disaster or emergency causes you to evacuate, you may have to do so immediately. In other cases, you may have a day or two to prepare. Ensure you can evacuate quickly and safely through proper preparation and planning. Prepare your evacuation plan.

3. What is my family/household communication plan?
Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another and reconnect if you are separated. Establish a family meeting place that is familiar and easy to find. Create a family emergency communication plan with resources from FEMA.

4. Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?
A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. You may need food, water and other supplies to last for several days. When building an emergency preparedness kit, use a checklist, such as this one from Ready.gov, for items to include in your kit.

5. Do I need to update my emergency plans due to Coronavirus?
Check with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the latest information on COVID-19. Get masks for everyone over 2 years old, gather disinfectants and check your sheltering plan. Practice social distancing when possible during an evacuation or when in a shelter.

Check CDC guidelines for COVID-19 information when updating your emergency plans.
Check CDC guidelines for COVID-19 information when updating your emergency plans.

Hurricane Season Planning
NPM falls within the peak of hurricane season. The 2020 season started with a record-setting nine named storms and the potential to be one of the busiest on record.

In its updated 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook last month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts 19 to 25 named storms for the year, including 7 to 11 hurricanes and 3 to 6 major hurricanes. In the update, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross notes, “We encourage all Americans to do their part by getting prepared, remaining vigilant, and being ready to take action when necessary.”

Use this time to determine your personal hurricane risk and prepare your home.

  • Do you live in a hurricane evacuation zone?
  • Review and update your insurance policies.
  • Replenish hurricane emergency supplies.
September is the peak of hurricane season. Determine your personal hurricane risk and prepare your home.

During this hurricane season, FEMA encourages residents in hurricane-prone regions to keep COVID-19 in mind when making preparations and during evacuations. Stay aware of the latest health and safety guidelines from the CDC and your local officials and be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly. Read FEMA’s COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season.

Visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes for more information on hurricane preparedness, and stay tuned to the National Hurricane Center for the latest information about tropical storm and hurricane activity in the Atlantic.

Communities, Schools and Businesses Disaster Planning
Communities, schools and businesses can plan ahead to reduce risks and possible costs of storm-related spills or cleanup.

Communities should plan ahead to handle large amounts of disaster debris, including hazardous or toxic substances which can contaminate air, water, land and food if not handled properly. Read more information on disaster debris. The Environmental Protection Agency also offers tools to help plan for disaster or security threats to water systems.

Industries and businesses that encounter spills or discharges in the aftermath of a disaster should contact the National Response Center immediately. Owners or operators of damaged facilities may have legal requirements for reporting or taking other actions, depending on the spill.

Pandemic Preparedness
Planning for and responding to a pandemic is complex. As the fight against COVID-19 continues, it’s vital that businesses ensure there’s a plan in place to combat the effects of a pandemic.

Many resources are available to support the development of pandemic preparedness plans for public and private organizations, governments, health care professionals, and communities. Preparation can strengthen the capability of these groups to respond to different pandemic scenarios.

Review our series of pandemic-related blog posts to support your organization’s planning efforts:

How to Report Emergencies
Call 911 if you are in immediate danger, or if someone is injured, has trouble breathing, or is unconscious.

To report oil, chemical, or hazardous substance releases or spills, call the National Response Center 800-424-8802.

For possible poisoning, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

How ISN Can Help
Are you a Hiring Client interested in learning more about how to prepare your business for a pandemic or other disaster? Current ISN Hiring Client customers should contact your account representative to learn about tools in ISNetworld that can support your efforts.

If you’re interested in learning how ISN can help you streamline your contractor management programs and prepare your business for a pandemic or other disaster, request a demo of our contractor management platform, ISNetworld.