Macon-Bibb EMA shares simple steps for National Preparedness Month

Macon-Bibb EMA is reminding families to take four simple steps—know your risk, make a plan, build a kit and stay informed—during National Preparedness Month.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb EMA is encouraging families to prepare during National Preparedness Month, with this year’s theme, “Preparedness Starts at Home,” stressing the importance of taking simple steps before an emergency.

“Preparedness doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated,” EMA Director Spencer Hawkins said. “It starts with simple steps you can take today.”

Sophie Rosen, special projects officer for Macon-Bibb EMA, says there are several ways families can get started.

“The first one is knowing your risks,” Rosen said. “What in Macon-Bibb County could you expect to happen whether it’s flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, excessive heat, things like that. Second would be to have an emergency kit. What kind of things can you survive off of if you have to leave your home for 3 days, whether that’s having extra documents, having extra medicine, having hygiene products, things that kinda help you feel more comforted when you are displaced from your home.”

EMA recommends four key steps:

• Know your risk by identifying hazards like storms, flooding, or extreme heat.
• Make a family emergency plan so everyone knows what to do in case of disaster.
• Build an emergency supply kit with food, water, medicine, and hygiene products.
• Stay informed by signing up for local alerts, following weather updates, and listening to NOAA Weather Radio.

The agency has already distributed more than 400 weather radios this year and is continuing its outreach on social media.

Officials say National Preparedness Month is a reminder to plan ahead before disaster strikes.

For more resources, visit Ready.gov or follow Macon-Bibb EMA on social media.