Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security to Host Countywide Events in Recognition of National Preparedness Month – Mocofeed

In recognition of National Preparedness Month in September, the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) will host dozens of outreach events throughout the County through early October. This year’s theme is “Ready Together!” OEMHS will feature a different readiness focus for each week, as well as a community preparedness survey and a raffle for those who complete the survey to win emergency “go” bags full of preparedness supplies.   

“I encourage everyone to attend an emergency preparedness event in your neighborhood and engage with our emergency preparedness experts to learn how to take proactive steps to protect yourselves and your loved ones,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Emergencies and disasters can strike at any time, and being prepared can make the difference between life and death or property loss. By learning practical skills and accessing valuable resources provided, we can ensure the safety and resilience of our families and communities.” 

National Preparedness Month is an annual campaign to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families, and their communities safe. The resources and information shared during National Preparedness Month can be used by anyone at any time to get prepared for whatever may come their way.  

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“The Ready Together campaign aims to ensure all our friends and neighbors have the tools they need to prepare for emergencies and build resilience before an event occurs,” said OEMHS Director Luke Hodgson.  

National Preparedness Month events will take place at various locations including Metro stations, grocery stores, community events, local swimming pools, food distribution sites, and festivals. They will feature a variety of activities and resources, including: 

• Emergency preparedness presentations 
• Emergency preparedness resource tables with preparedness workbooks and children’s materials in multiple languages 
• Giveaways of emergency supplies 
• Community Preparedness Survey and “go” bag giveaway drawings 

Residents are encouraged to visit the National Preparedness Month webpage to locate events in their neighborhoods at montgomerycountymd.gov/npm. To complete the Community Preparedness Survey,  available in multiple languages, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/community-preparedness-survey. Those who complete the survey can elect to be entered to win an emergency “go” bag full of preparedness supplies. Multiple “go” bags will be given out throughout National Preparedness Month. You can also access resources like preparedness workbooks any time of the year on OEMHS’s Planning webpage at montgomerycountymd.gov/office-emergency-management-homeland-security/planning-emergencies.   

National Preparedness Month partners include multiple County and affiliate agencies, including: 

• Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service
• Montgomery County Police Department
• Department of Environmental Protection
• Department of Health and Human Services, Aging and Disability Services
• Department of Recreation 
• Department of Transportation 
• Housing Opportunities Commission 
• Montgomery College 
• Montgomery County Public Schools 

Private partners include: 

• Crossroads and Olney Farmers Markets  
• HMart 
• MegaMart 
• National Cancer Institute 
• Patel Brothers Indian Grocery Store 
• WMATA 
• Westfield Montgomery and Wheaton Malls 

Community partners include: 

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• American Red Cross 
• The County’s Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD)  
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) 
• Multiple food distribution organizations 

COAD is a network of community organizations that collaborate to address the community’s needs during all stages of a disaster. By connecting the capabilities of various partners, COAD aims to enhance emergency response and recovery efforts. This partnership includes nonprofits, civic groups, faith-based organizations, and government agencies, working together to provide timely and effective assistance to disaster survivors. The goal is to make the community safer and more resilient by efficiently organizing and deploying resources during disasters. 

Residents are encouraged to sign up for Alert Montgomery at alert.montgomerycountymd.gov to receive important emergency notifications. The Alert Montgomery System provides accurate and immediate emergency notifications from the County to your cell, work, or home phones via text, email, or voice message. You can elect to receive alerts about emergencies that may affect your home, workplace, a child’s school, or other locations within the County. Additionally, a new Alert Translations program will now make translation of emergency alerts readily available to subscribers at montgomerycountymd.gov/office-emergency-management-homeland-security/get-emergency-alerts/alert-montgomery-translations-pilot.

For more information about OEMHS, visit the County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security website. 

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