South Carolina Emergency Management encourages preparation during National Preparedness Month

Photo By Staff Sgt. Ryan Gay | U.S. Army soldiers assigned to 151st Expeditionary Signal Battalion (151st ESB), 228th Signal Brigade, South Carolina Army National Guard load cases of water in the back of a truck at a South Carolina Readiness Center in Hodges, SC, Oct. 10, 2024. These 20 soldiers have provided support to local and state authorities as they undertake hurricane #Helene relief efforts. As part of this support, some soldiers from the 151st ESB have traveled as far as 150 miles away and spent time away from their families to provide local aid in conjuction with county, state, and federal authorities. The South Carolina National Guard continues to respond to disaster relief requests for assistance from federal, local and state agencies. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan S. Gay)  

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

09.17.2025

Story by Stephen Hudson 

South Carolina National Guard

In the aftermath of 9/11, the Federal Emergency Management Agency launched National Preparedness Month in 2004. This national campaign, every September, aims to educate and empower Americans to respond to natural disasters or potential terrorist attacks.

Emergency Management officials from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) suggest using this month as a reminder to double-check emergency kits, ensuring supplies such as water, food, flashlights, waterproof clothing, phone chargers, prescription medications, and first aid kits are ready to go at a moment's notice.

“Disasters don’t wait for us to be ready, so the best time to prepare is before a storm or emergency ever begins. National Preparedness Month serves as a reminder for people to make a plan, build a kit, and know their risks,” said Kim Stinson, SC Emergency Management director. “In South Carolina, we face hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and even earthquakes. Being proactive can make all the difference.”

National Preparedness Month is a time to learn more about what this campaign brings and what you can do to help make your community safer and better prepared for disaster. Staying informed is crucial. SCEMD strongly recommends downloading the SC Emergency Manager mobile app. The app provides “Know Your Zone” evacuation maps, the ability to build and customize a personal emergency plan, tools for tracking your disaster supplies kit, and an emergency alert whistle and strobe light. This app is free and available on the Apple App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android devices.

Tuning into NOAA Weather Radio, as well as trusted social media sources, can also provide information. By staying informed and making a flexible plan for most emergencies, your family can stay safe during an emergency.

During National Preparedness Month, it is essential to start thinking through emergency plans, update existing ones, or create new ones. Take the step and start a conversation with your family. Make a plan, sign up for emergency alerts, and build a disaster emergency kit.

Identifying common hazards, staying informed, and having an action plan all play a crucial role in being ready before disaster strikes, whether it's hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, extreme heat, wildfires, or earthquakes. South Carolina is an all-hazards state, meaning it is vulnerable to a range of natural disasters.

Some other considerations SCEMD encourages citizens to have are Family Emergency Action Plans, which should include information about rally point locations and what to do in specific situations, such as an active shooter, fires, or health protection conditions. Knowing who to contact and where to go can save valuable time.

For more information on how to prepare or what to put in your emergency kit, please visit https://www.scemd.org/ or www.ready.gov.

• Date Taken: 09.17.2025
• Date Posted: 09.19.2025 18:31
• Story ID: 548416
• Location: COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, US