National Preparedness Month, 2026

The goal of National Preparedness Month is to increase the number of individuals, families, and communities that engage in preparedness actions.

"Strength begins with a Nation that is ready to act and such readiness is embodied by Americans who stand strong, who never back down, and who always put America First. This month, we honor our brave first responders, law enforcement officers, emergency personnel, and selfless volunteers. When the alarm sounds, they do not hesitate. They answer the call, protect their fellow Americans, and help keep our communities and our Nation safe and secure. Together, we resolve to build a more prepared, ready, and resilient America."

In 2003, the Department of Homeland Security launched the National Ready Campaign to promote preparedness through public involvement, by empowering Americans to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies, including natural and manmade disasters. This year’s theme will focus on several distinct ideas that capture how Americans take pride in their ability to protect themselves and their families and work together to recover from disasters.

Americans stand ready to uphold our patriotic duty: When individuals are prepared and self-reliant, we can bolster the work our brave first responders do to help people on their worst day.

Americans stand ready to protect our family and friends: We know best how to keep our loved ones safe when things go wrong.

Americans stand ready to help our communities: Taking a proactive approach to get your community ready contributes to the nation’s resilience.

(Source: National Ready Campaign)

Make a Plan

• Make a plan for your household, including your pets, so that you and your family know what to do, where to go, and what you will need to protect yourselves during a disaster. Consider the unique risks where you live and the needs of your family. Know where you’ll go if you need to leave your home and learn your evacuation routes so you can get there safely.
• Disasters are costly but preparing for them doesn’t have to be. Taking time to prepare now can help save you thousands of dollars and give you peace of mind when the next disaster or emergency occurs. Visit Ready.gov’s low and no-cost tip page  to see how you can be better prepared without spending a lot of money.

Select Documents and Laws

• 172 Cong. Rec. E819 - RECOGNIZING NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AWARENESS MONTH
• Public Law 119 - 102 - Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025
• 42 U.S.C. 6 - CHAPTER 2 - NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (Sections 701 - 825)
• 42 U.S.C. 1851 - Disaster Relief

Resources

• Explore Homeland Security’s ready.gov (English), and (Spanish). There you will find an abundance of information to download about Disasters and Emergencies, Making a Plan, and Getting Involved. Also, take a look at their 2026 Preparedness Calendar, a planning tool that marks preparedness activities and provides customizable resources to help promote preparedness throughout the year.
• Check out Homeland Security’s educational resources for children, parents, and educators and brochures and other free publications for you and your community.
• The Red Cross "National Preparedness Month" teaches first aid skills that are useful in a disaster.
• The National Flood Insurance Program through FEMA offers suggestions to make sure you know what your insurance policy covers before an emergency.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Public Health Emergency Preparedness Clearinghouse is a central repository for emergency preparedness-related statutes, regulations, orders, reports, and legal tools. The Clearinghouse is intended to aid jurisdictions considering updates and clarifications to their public health emergency legal preparedness activities.
• Visit the U.S. Government Publishing Office Bookstore’s website to find more publications related to emergency and disaster preparedness.
• See the many ways to reduce risks from contamination, leaks, spills, hazardous materials, and other dangers on Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) website.
• Check out the National Weather Service's (NWS) Awareness and Preparedness Calendar to search by State name to see weather safety events in your state.