September is Preparedness Month

FREDERICK, Md. - September is National Preparedness Month, a reminder to take time to prepare for the unexpected. Preparing for emergencies can feel like an overwhelming task, one that's easy to keep putting off until "tomorrow." But being prepared isn't about building a bunker or stocking up on a year's worth of canned goods. Preparedness is about taking small practical actions to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

"This month, we're challenging every Frederick County individual and business to do just one thing to be more prepared for emergencies," said Anthony Rosano, Director, Division of Emergency Management. "Whether it's signing up for emergency alerts or making sure you have extra batteries for your flashlight, that single action immediately makes you better prepared and is a foundation you can build on."

To help you do just one thing, the Division of Emergency Management and partners are offering a variety of events and resources:

• Animal Control: When you adopt a pet during September and Pledge to Prepare by signing up for emergency alerts from AlertFC, you can enter a drawing to win one of four pet emergency kits. Be sure to pick up a brochure on pet preparedness.
• Aging and Independence/Fire and Rescue: We will be joining Fire and Rescue at Senior Centers throughout the county for their lunch-and-learns/blood pressure checks. Learn what happens when you call 9-1-1 and how to get information in an emergency. We will also raffle off some items to add to your emergency supplies.
• Public Libraries: Visit any of the nine Frederick County Public Libraries locations and pick up a Sesame Street activity book on how to prepare for emergencies or how to care for each other after an emergency. Then ask a librarian for book recommendations on how to learn more about weather or community helpers! While quantities last.
• National Weather Service: Join us for SKYWARN Flood Class on September 17 and learn all about floods. At the end of the class, you'll be able to become a registered SKYWARN spotter and report Frederick County flood conditions to our local NWS office. Registration is required and is limited to 50 participants.
• Solid Waste and Recycling: Look for our WeatherWednesday videos on Facebook! We will be reusing materials to create kid-friendly crafts to learn about the weather and giving grown-ups tips on how reusing materials can help with emergency preparedness.

For more information on these events and other easy ways to improve your preparedness, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Prepared2025.

To get emergency alerts, including severe weather warnings like tornado and flood, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/AlertFC.

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CONTACT: Hope Morris
Communications Manager
Office of Communications & Public Engagement
301-600-2590