September is National Preparedness Month

Tragedies are somber reminders that preparedness is a shared responsibility and that it is critical to maintain readiness. Preparedness is a shared responsibility that takes participation from the whole community.

Over the past year, communities nationwide have witnessed and endured damage from multiple hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, floods, volcanic eruptions and other natural disasters. Disasters can strike in any shape or form at any given time and it is important to prepare in advance to help yourself and your community.

Be self-sufficient following an emergency

Since its inception in 2004, National Preparedness Month, recognized each September in the United States, reminds us that we all must prepare ourselves, our families and our communities for the disasters and emergencies that could happen where we live, work and visit, now and throughout the year. Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security, National Preparedness Month encourages Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, schools and communities.

How quickly a company is able to get back to business after a tornado, fire or flood often depends on emergency planning and preparation done before the disaster strikes. National Preparedness Month is a time to focus our attention on the importance of preparing our families, homes, businesses, and communities for disasters that threaten our lives, property, and communities. This year’s National Preparedness Month is focused on preparation, with the theme “Prepared, Not Scared” and each week of September will highlight important steps to prepare for emergencies:

Week 1 (Sept 1-7): Save Early for Disaster Costs

Week 2 (Sept 8-14): Make a Plan to Prepare for Disasters

Week 3 (Sept 15-21): Teach Youth to Prepare for Disasters

Week 4 (Sept 22-30): Get Involved in Your Community’s Preparedness

Building codes save lives

Building Safety Month — a public awareness campaign created by the International Code Council — celebrates jurisdictions worldwide during the month of May to help individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures. The campaign reinforces the need for the adoption of modern, regularly-updated building codes; a strong and efficient system of code enforcement; and a well-trained, professional workforce to maintain the system. Building Safety Month weekly themes throughout the month spotlight specific areas of building safety. Resources, and information, including Building Safety Month posters, a social media toolkit, a sample proclamation and news release template, and safety tips handouts are available online.

“Building Safety Month brings attention to issues that are not regularly considered unless disaster strikes. Modern codes and standards incorporate the latest technology and provide the safest, most resilient structures for our families and communities to protect against building failures, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, high-rise fires and other modern-day disasters,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “Building codes really do save lives.”

The Code Council, in partnership with our members and stakeholders, works hard year-round to ensure that we work, live and play in strong, safe buildings. Disaster mitigation efforts such as building code adoption and enforcement is one of the strongest strategies jurisdictions can take to protect a community against the effects of natural hazards. Mitigation increases occupant health and safety during a disaster, protects the local tax base, ensures continuity of essential services, and supports more rapid recovery from disasters.

Emergencies and disasters test the resilience and strength of families, communities and our nation. It is impossible to avoid every challenge and threat, but we must prepare for them and help protect our communities and save lives.