National Preparedness Month: Americans Stand Ready
Each September, FEMA’s Ready Campaign celebrates National Preparedness Month. Since 2004, the campaign has taken the month to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies. The month is a great time to take small steps to make a big difference in being prepared.
This year’s theme is, “Americans Stand Ready.”
The theme reflects the spirit of unity, resilience and resourcefulness that make our country strong. It’s a reminder that each of us can make a difference by taking proactive steps before a disaster strikes, and encouraging loved ones to do the same, Americans can contribute to the safety and security of the entire nation.
Preparedness is everyone’s responsibility, and disasters and emergencies can happen at any time, anywhere, and sometimes without warning.
How To Prepare Your Finances For An Emergency
Here are a few key steps to help you get started:
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Build an Emergency Fund
Start setting aside what you can for unexpected expenses.
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Stay Connected With Digital Banking
Make sure you can access your accounts even when you can’t reach a branch.
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Keep Emergency Cash
Keep some cash available in case cards or ATMs aren’t working.
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Consider Direct Deposit
Keep your money accessible even when normal routines are disrupted.
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Protect Financial Information
Keep important financial documents organized and stored securely.
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Protect Yourself From Scams
Be cautious of unexpected requests for personal or financial information.
Be Ready Before an Emergency Happens
Emergencies don’t always come with much warning. Severe weather, power outages, flooding and other unexpected events can disrupt everyday life quickly.
September is National Preparedness Month, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages individuals and families to take simple steps now to be better prepared when the unexpected happens. That includes knowing the risks in your area, making a family emergency plan, building an emergency supply kit and preparing financially.
Don’t Forget About Financial Preparedness
Flashlights, batteries, food and water may be the first things that come to mind when you think about emergency preparedness, but your finances should be part of your plan, too.
FEMA recommends preparing for the financial impact of an emergency by building savings, organizing important financial information and making sure you have ways to access your money if normal routines are disrupted.
Here are a few things you can do now:
💰 Build an Emergency Fund
Unexpected expenses can add up quickly during an emergency. Start setting aside what you can, even if it’s only a small amount at a time. Consider setting up an automatic transfer to a Solidarity savings account to make saving part of your regular routine.
📱 Make Sure You Have Access to Digital Banking
If you can’t make it to a branch, Digital Banking can help you stay connected to your accounts. Make sure you know your login information and can access your accounts from your phone or computer before you need to.
💵 Keep Some Emergency Cash
During an extended power or network outage, ATMs and card-processing systems may not be available. FEMA recommends keeping some cash in a secure location as part of your emergency preparations. The amount should be based on your family’s basic needs, such as food and gas.
💳 Consider Direct Deposit
FEMA recommends direct deposit as part of financial preparedness. Having your paycheck deposited electronically can help you continue receiving and accessing your money even when getting to work or a financial institution may be difficult.
🔒 Protect Important Financial Information
Keep important financial documents and account information organized and stored securely. FEMA’s Emergency Financial First Aid Kit recommends gathering important financial documents and contacts before an emergency and maintaining secure paper or electronic copies.
🛡️ Protect Yourself From Scams
Unfortunately, emergencies can also create opportunities for scammers. Be cautious about unexpected calls, texts, emails or social media messages asking for personal or financial information. Never share your account information, passwords, PINs or security codes with someone you don’t know.
Know What’s Coming In and Going Out
Knowing your account balances, recurring bills and automatic payments can make it easier to make financial decisions quickly if your normal routine is disrupted.
Solidarity Is Here to Help
Financial preparedness doesn’t have to happen all at once. A few small steps today can make a big difference when something unexpected happens.
If you need help getting started, we’re here. Solidarity can help you establish savings, set up automatic transfers, enroll in Digital Banking, set up direct deposit or simply talk through ways to make your finances more prepared for the unexpected.
Emergencies can happen when we least expect them, and a little preparation can make a big difference. We’re sharing the following information and resources from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help you and your family plan ahead, stay informed and be better prepared when the unexpected happens.The following article and preparedness information are provided by FEMA.
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.
Throughout the month of September, the Ready Campaign will share easy, affordable steps to take to stand ready, no matter what comes. Tips include:
- Be in the know. Make sure you know where to get information when you need it most. Download the FEMA App to get emergency safety alerts and resources.
- Make a plan to keep you and your family safe and prepared. The plan should include emergency contact information, emergency meeting places and medical information.
- Build a kit with the essential items your family needs to stay safe and comfortable if something happens.
- Be there for your community. From volunteering in your community to learning skills like first aid and CPR, you can take steps to prepare for disasters and keep your family safe and make your neighborhood and community more resilient. Take a training course through FEMA’s Training and Education Program, the American Red Cross, or your local emergency management agency to build or gain skills to protect yourself, family, friends and community.
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