The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) was proud to join the School District of Philadelphia and community partners to kick off National Preparedness Month during the 6th Annual Back-to-School Bus Tour Finale.
Observed each September, National Preparedness Month raises awareness about the importance of being prepared for emergencies and encourages individuals, families, and communities to take steps to protect themselves before an emergency happens.
The Back-to-School Bus Tour Finale provided a great opportunity to bring emergency preparedness directly to Philadelphia families. In addition to receiving backpacks and school supplies, students and families had access to a variety of public safety and preparedness resources focused on fire prevention, disaster planning, and extreme weather preparedness.
OEM also provided emergency go-bag giveaways, giving families an opportunity to learn about the supplies they should have ready in case they need to shelter in place or leave their homes quickly. The event also featured food distributions, photo opportunities, and plenty of fun for students and families as they prepared for the new school year.
Our Community Engagement and Constituent Services Program Manager DarRel Lucky, who helped host this kickoff event, wants you to remember, learning doesn’t stop in the classroom! She wants those who were not able to attend today’s Back-to-School Bus Tour stop to know what to do to prepare at home. Here’s how!
What you can do this National Preparedness Month
ReadyPhiladelphia
Stay connected to the weather forecast and important information from the City of Philadelphia. Our office will send weather and emergency alerts direct to your phone or email. Text READYPHILA to 888-777 to receive alerts to your device or customize your alerts by visiting our ReadyPhiladelphia webpage for phone and text alerts.
Home Safety Planning
Create a family emergency plan that considers the needs of all in your household, including pets. Ensure you have all important documents, clothing, essential medications, and a contact list, all of which you can place in an emergency go-bag. Make copies and keep them in a secure password-protected digital space. Don’t forget to regularly have household meetings with your family to review your plans. Make sure your children practice calling and texting your emergency contacts.
Ensure you’re insured. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PAID) plays a vital role in protecting consumers and ensuring a stable insurance marketplace in Pennsylvania. Whether you need help with insurance questions, want to verify a licensed agent, or need assistance with health plan issues, PAID offers a range of resources to support you before, during, and after an emergency. Learn more at pa.gov/insurance.
READYHome Workshop
READYHome is our one-hour workshop offering easy-to-follow tips on creating an emergency plan for households, including considerations for family members with disabilities, pets, and sheltering in place.
We aim to ensure that every household is prepared for emergencies, helping to protect loved ones, and minimize risks during unexpected events.
Participants gain practical knowledge on emergency planning and receive information about local hazards.
Interested in hosting our team? Reach out and email us at oem@phila.gov
Make this National Preparedness Month an opportunity to learn, plan, and prepare your household for this school year and beyond.
