Mayor Wilson proclaims September 2025 to be Preparedness Month

In accordance with this acknowledgement, we recognize:

WHEREAS, the City of Portland recognizes that emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility, that all emergencies are local, and our resilience depends on the readiness of every household, neighborhood, community and organization; and

WHEREAS, the growing impacts of climate change-including more frequent and severe extreme weather, flooding, and wildfires-along with the risk of the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, require that we take proactive steps to prepare; and

WHEREAS, the City of Portland engages in year-round preparedness efforts, and September is observed nationally as Preparedness Month to raise awareness and inspire individual and community action; and

WHEREAS, the City is fortunate to have 1,325 active Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) volunteers-trained by the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management-who serve as vital partners in disaster readiness, response, and recovery, helping neighbors prepare, stay informed, and stay safe by logging 17,368 volunteer hours so far this year; in the prior five years from 2019 to 2024, NETs logged 188,620 hours, a value of $6,105,630 in 2025 dollars and

WHEREAS, NET volunteers embody the spirit of community resilience by providing critical training and serving as trusted resources before, during, and after emergencies; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor of Portland is proud to serve as a NET volunteer and knows firsthand the difference that trained and empowered community members can make when disaster strikes; and

WHEREAS, approximately 20 Community Based-Organizations are in active partnership with the City of Portland and serve their communities in various ways, including opening spaces during extreme weather emergencies; and

WHEREAS, all Portlanders are encouraged to take steps to get prepared by building an emergency kit, starting with water, and signing up for Public Alerts at publicalerts.org-because being prepared saves lives; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Keith Wilson, Mayor of the City of Portland, do hereby proclaim September 2025 as:

PREPAREDNESS MONTH

in the City of Portland, and I urge all residents to join in the effort to strengthen our community's resilience by being informed, connected and prepared.