National Preparedness Month
NAPO Members: You can access a National Preparedness Month's Toolkit by visiting the Member's Only Section of our website.
Pledge to Prepare: Awareness to Action
Being prepared goes hand-in-hand with being organized, and it is fitting that NAPO would be part of a nationwide event aimed at better emergency preparedness. NAPO has again joined forces with the Department of Homeland Security's Ready Campaign for their ninth annual National Preparedness Month (NPM), held during September, As a national coalition member for the ninth consecutive year, NAPO strives to educate the public through individual member and chapter informational events held during National Preparedness Month.
This year, NPM’s slogan is “Pledge to Prepare, Awareness to Action”. The goal this year is to transform awareness into action by encouraging all Americans to take specific steps to ensure that their homes, workplaces, and communities are prepared for disasters and emergencies of all kids. By doing so, individuals, businesses and organizations can commit to doing at least one of the following:
- Learn about emergency hazards and their appropriate responses
- Build an emergency kit
- Make a communications plan
- Get involved in preparedness in their community
NPM Videos
In 2011, NAPO was one of nearly 10,000 individuals and organizations registered to become coalition members. It was the largest coalition partnership since the beginning of the awareness campaign. This year, NAPO members and chapters can do their part to improve upon last year's success by offering a variety of emergency preparedness events and information sessions for clients and the public in their communities, schools, and workplaces. Here are some examples of such initiatives:
Include preparedness activities in professional organizing events. Make emergency preparation demonstrations or handouts part of an organizing discussion or workshop.
Host an emergency preparedness fair for your clients and community. Invite local officials, first responders, and your local Citizen Corps Council to give a brief emergency preparedness presentation at a community center or library. During the event, demonstrate how to build an emergency kit using the Ready emergency supply checklist and explain how to develop a family emergency plan.
Encourage clients to back up important information. While you're helping clients become more efficient in the home office, encourage them to keep organized and accurate records of important documents, including insurance papers, wills, and bank account information.
Host a business preparedness review. Organize an emergency preparedness procedures review of your client's emergency plans and practice emergency drills with employees.
Host a business preparedness workshop. Coordinate with your local Chamber of Commerce to host a workshop for business leaders regarding the importance of business preparedness. This also serves as a great networking opportunity and fosters professional organizing prospects.
For more information about NPM and access materials and resources you may need to prepare for and respond to emergencies throughout the year, visit the Ready Campaign website.
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