September is National Preparedness Month

Unexpected is an understatement for the deep freeze Texas experienced in February 2021. Being prepared for emergencies can help keep you safe, give you peace of mind, and provide a roadmap for moving forward with as little upheaval as possible. September is National Preparedness Month—an opportunity for the Bobcat Community to take a moment to really prepare for emergencies and disasters.

The 2021 campaign, Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love, reminds Americans to be ready for these unexpected events, with the goal to ensure every American has the skills to protect themselves and their families during an emergency. This effort is led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is sponsored by the Ready Campaign.

Texas State University, the University Police Department and the TXST Office of Emergency Management encourage all Bobcats to take the National Preparedness Month reminder seriously and to engage with peers, family, and friends in preparedness activities. This is a great time of year to take a first aid class, join the local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), update your disaster supplies kit, or start your emergency savings account. So, let us Strengthen our Community Resilience and Response. As our nation continues to respond to COVID-19, there is no better time to be involved this September.

Our campus can face different types of hazards, including severe weather, fire, and active threat events. It takes the entire campus community working together to ensure resiliency after a disaster. We encourage everyone in the Bobcat Community to check off at least one of the following preparedness items on this list:

• Become familiar with UPD Campus Safety and Emergency Preparedness

• Download the free RAVE Guardian app to utilize the safety features.

• Ensure you are signed up for TXState Alerts emergency messages through the TXState Alert system.

• Schedule or attend a safety training class by contacting the Community Engagement Officer.

The 2021 campaign also lays out a weekly plan and resources: 

• Week 1 September 1-4: Make A Plan

• Week 2 September 5-11: Build A Kit

• Week 3 September 12-18: Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness 

• Week 4 September 19-25: Teach Youth About Preparedness

For guidance, look to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Ready.gov, both leading efforts in support of National Preparedness Month. The CDC is actively engaged in preparedness initiatives that focus on the power of preparedness, which includes personal preparedness, pandemic influenza planning, policy and partnerships, and public health response. Also, visit CDC Considerations for Institutions of Higher Education and Ready Campus for additional information.