September is National Preparedness Month — Redbirds, are you ready

At Illinois State University, the safety and preparedness of our campus community is a shared responsibility. September is National Preparedness Month, a nationwide initiative to promote awareness and encourage action before disasters strike.

Whether you're teaching in a lecture hall, managing a department, supporting student services, or conducting research in a lab, preparedness is essential. Disruptions from severe weather, power outages, or other emergencies can impact instruction, operations, and safety in an instant.

This month, the Emergency Management department encourages all faculty and staff to take simple steps to stay prepared:

• Download and review the many capabilities in the Safe Redbirds app
• Review your building's emergency procedures and evacuation routes.
• Confirm you are registered for ISU Emergency Alert by visiting the "My Profile" section of My.IllinoisState.edu
• Talk with students and colleagues about what to do in an emergency.
• Take time to create or update an emergency plan at home - including communication and evacuation plans for yourself, your family and your pets.

Need help getting started? The Emergency Management department at Illinois State offers emergency preparedness trainings, emergency action plans, and preparedness resources tailored for our campus.

Preparedness isn't just for first responders-it's something we all contribute to. Let's work together to keep all Redbirds safe, informed, and resilient.

Visit Ready.gov/September for national resources or contact ISU Emergency Management at [email protected] or (309) 438-0100 for campus-specific support. Be sure to follow us at @saferedbirds on social media for preparedness tips and updates. #StaySafeRedbirds