Preparedness Starts at Home – September is National Preparedness Month

September 03, 2025
Andrew Beckett
Emergency Management

DANE COUNTY – From fires and floods to tornadoes and blizzards, there are a wide range of potential disasters that could affect Dane County residents. September is National Preparedness Month – an annual effort to encourage people across the country to learn more about how they can be ready to respond to an emergency.

“The recent devastating floods in Wisconsin are a reminder of just how quickly a major disaster can develop around us,” said Dane County Executive Melissa Agard. “A single storm can leave a community with extensive damage, and the rebuilding process will take time. It’s critical that everyone reviews their plans, builds an emergency kit, and ensures their family and close friends have what they need to respond quickly, should the worst happen.”

The theme of the 2025 National Preparedness Month campaign is “Preparedness Starts at Home.” Everyone should take steps this month to make plans and review what’s needed to protect those they love during an emergency.

“Having a plan for fires and floods, or any emergency that may require you to evacuate your home quickly, is essential to being prepared,” said Dane County Emergency Management Director Charles A. Tubbs. “The time to make those plans is now, before the crisis you may be preparing for is unavoidable. Knowing what to do during an emergency could save your life.”

To help make your household better prepared, Dane County Emergency Management encourages you to take the following steps:

  • Build an emergency kit for your home that includes basic supplies to keep you and your family safe for up to 72 hours. Kits should include items such as non-perishable food, bottled water, a first aid kit, a flashlight and batteries, and essential medications.
  • Regularly review and practice emergency escape and shelter plans with everyone in your household. Know where you would take shelter during a severe storm and identify a safe meet-up location, in case you have to evacuate. If you would need assistance evacuating, identify who can provide that help and make a plan with them.
  • Create an emergency communications plan that explains how members of your household will contact each other if you are apart. Designate a shared contact outside of the area that everyone can check-in with, such as a relative or close family friend.
  • Review your home or renters insurance policy to make sure you have adequate coverage. Most plans do not cover flood damage or may have limitations on what they will cover.
  • If you rely on a medical device that uses electricity, have a plan for how you would safely use that device during an extended power outage. Install a generator or purchase a backup power supply. If that’s not possible, identify a safe location where you could stay until power is restored.
  • Have multiple ways to stay informed about emergencies. Smart phone apps, local media, and a NOAA Weather Radio are all great ways to get alerts about dangerous situations. You can also sign up for Dane County’s Emergency Notification System to receive severe weather and other emergency alerts by text and email.

It’s also a good idea to know the common risks in your community that could affect your daily routines. If you live near a waterway that floods or a facility that could pose a risk to the neighborhood if it catches fire, have a plan for where you can go to stay safe until the danger has passed. If you do not have air conditioning or reliable heat, identify a safe location you could go to during periods of extreme hot or cold temperatures.

“Ask yourself questions about the dangers you could face each day,” Tubbs suggested. “Do you know what to do in those situations? Do members of your family know? It’s important that everyone is prepared.”

Learn more about how Dane County Emergency Management works to build preparedness in the community at https://em.countyofdane.com/. You can also follow us on Facebook and BlueSky to receive safety tips and updates on how severe weather impacts Dane County.