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BUFFALO, N.Y. — Emergencies rarely arrive at a convenient time. Whether it is flash flooding, a lake-effect snowstorm, a prolonged power outage or another unexpected event, taking steps before disaster strikes can make a critical difference when minutes matter.
Each September, National Preparedness Month serves as a reminder for individuals, families and organizations to consider the hazards they may face and take action before an emergency occurs.
For the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, preparedness is more than a monthlong observance. It is part of the district’s mission and its responsibility to remain ready to support communities when disasters occur.
“Preparedness goes far beyond just building physical barriers to withstand a disaster. True readiness relies on community involvement. By developing mutual aid plans, coordinating our training, and practicing exercise scenarios ahead of time, we ensure that our vulnerabilities are addressed together,” said Phil Stitzinger, Buffalo District emergency management chief.
Across the lower Great Lakes region, residents are familiar with rapidly changing and sometimes extreme weather. Heavy rain can lead to flash flooding, while winter brings the threat of lake-effect snow, strong winds, extreme cold and power outages.
Preparedness starts with understanding those risks.
Residents can take simple steps now, including creating a family emergency plan, identifying multiple ways to receive weather alerts, keeping important contact information accessible and assembling emergency supplies. A basic emergency kit should account for food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries and other necessities that may be needed if utilities or transportation are disrupted.
Winter preparedness should also extend to vehicles. Blankets, extra clothing, water, nonperishable food, a flashlight, first-aid supplies and other emergency equipment can become critical if motorists are stranded during severe winter weather.
“Preparedness is an everyday practice. Whether we are planning for major disaster relief or just navigating through routine hurdles, it’s the little things we accomplish to address future challenges and to ensure our resilience,” Stitzinger said.
Preparedness is also central to the Army Corps of Engineers' ability to respond at the federal level.
The Army Corps of Engineers conducts preparedness activities to ensure a quick and effective response to a flood emergency or other natural disasters under an all-hazards approach. This includes training key staff as well as conducting training and exercises with our stakeholders.
When requested and assigned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can provide capabilities ranging from emergency power and infrastructure assessments to debris management, temporary roofing, temporary housing support and other engineering missions following disasters. Those capabilities depend on trained personnel who are ready to deploy and coordinate with federal, state and local partners.
The Buffalo District's emergency management program helps maintain that readiness by preparing personnel, coordinating response capabilities and ensuring the district can support disaster response missions when called upon.
That mission makes personal preparedness important for the workforce as well. Employees who have plans in place for their families, homes and pets are better positioned to focus on the mission when communities need support.
National Preparedness Month offers an opportunity to make those preparations before the next weather warning appears on a phone or snow begins piling up outside.
For the Buffalo District, severe weather is nothing new. But familiarity should not become complacency. The next flood, snowstorm or emergency may look different from the last.
Preparing now helps ensure individuals, families and organizations are ready when it matters most.
The Buffalo District delivers world class engineering solutions to the Great Lakes Region, the Army and the Nation to ensure national security, environmental sustainability, water resource management, and emergency assistance during peace and war. Learn more at www.lrd.usace.army.mil/buffalo.
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.14.2026 07:57 |
| Story ID: | 574600 |
| Location: | BUFFALO, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 24 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Ready When It Matters: Buffalo District Builds a Culture of Preparedness, by Kaylee Wendt, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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