News
Are You Ready for National Preparedness Month? (posted September 10, 2025)
By Adam Behnke, Communications Specialist for Brown County Public Health
September is National Preparedness Month, which is an initiative started in 2004 by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). Every year, this observance aims to teach people about preparing for different emergencies, whether they're natural disasters or caused by humans. The main idea is that everyone, not just the government, is responsible for being prepared. By getting ready now, people can better protect themselves, their families, and their communities before, during, and after a disaster.
The basic principle of National Preparedness Month is that true strength comes from local efforts. While it's easy to think that emergency responders will always be there immediately in the aftermath of a disaster, real events have shown that police, fire, and rescue services can be delayed or overwhelmed during a major crisis. In these situations, prepared people who can take care of themselves and their families is helpful for them but also beneficial for the community’s recovery, as well. When more people are prepared, there's less pressure on emergency services, which means they can respond more quickly and effectively to those who need it most. This edition of the Healthy Herald will focus on the pillars of this approach, called a "whole community" strategy, which recognizes that everyone plays a key role in building a safer, stronger society.
The Four Pillars of Preparedness
Getting ready for an emergency might seem overwhelming at first, but fortunately the process can be simplified into four easy steps. These steps work together as a complete system. If you understand one step, the next one becomes simpler, and together, they create a strong base for your family's safety.
Step 1: Know Your Risks & Stay Informed
To truly be prepared for any emergency, you first need to understand the dangers you might face. You can't get ready effectively if you don't know the most likely risks in your area. While natural disasters often come to mind first, being fully prepared also means thinking about less obvious but still important threats.
For people living in the Green Bay area, looking at the local weather and environmental conditions shows several key dangers. This area is at high risk from extreme weather, especially heavy rain and heat. Experts predict that there will be more days with major downpours and more days with temperatures above 88.9 degrees Fahrenheit. Flooding, in particular, is the most common and expensive natural disaster in Wisconsin, happening more often with intense rain and winter floods due to climate change. This was the devastating reality in the Milwaukee area just a few weeks ago. So, while a sudden, visible threat like a tornado is always possible, the community also needs to prepare for more frequent, ongoing problems like floods and extreme heat.
It’s also prudent to consider dangers caused by humans or ongoing public health problems. For example, the Brown County area is dealing with ongoing PFAS chemical contamination. State environmental and health experts have just issued an advisory to limit or avoid eating certain wild animals, like mallard and wood ducks, from parts of the Bay of Green Bay. These warnings are based on tests that found high levels of PFOS chemicals in the birds, which can build up in humans over time. Being exposed to high levels of these chemicals can lead to health problems such as a higher risk of certain cancers, a weaker immune system, and fertility issues. This kind of risk requires ongoing awareness and making continually smart choices, rather than just reacting to a sudden event.
Once you know the risks, you should next ensure you have reliable ways to receive alerts and information. Having multiple ways to get warnings is essential because some methods might not work during an emergency. For people living in Brown County, the CodeRED emergency alert system is a key resource. This system allows local officials to send both emergency alerts (for things like evacuations and power outages) and general alerts (for road closures or service problems) by phone, email, text, and social media. Residents can easily sign up online or by downloading the free CodeRED Mobile Alert App, which can provide alerts anywhere in the country. It's a good idea to save the CodeRED emergency number— (866) 419-5000—and general number— (855) 969-4636—in your phone so you can easily recognize an official alert.
Step 2: Make Your Plan
A family safety plan is like a detailed map showing what to do suring a disaster. Having a clear plan can greatly reduce stress and confusion while saving important time and lives when an emergency happens. This plan shouldn't be created once and set in stone. Instead, it should be updated regularly and involve every family member to make sure it meets everyone's needs. The plan works best not just because it's written down, but because everyone understands it and trusts each other to follow their role after practicing together.
A good plan needs to cover several key areas. First, pick two meeting spots: one close to home for quick emergencies like a fire, and another further away in case you can't get back into your neighborhood. Second, choose an out-of-town friend or relative to be your main emergency contact. They may be easier to reach during a disaster when local phone lines are jammed. Everyone in the family should have this person’s information.
Besides basic communication, your plan must also think about the special needs of your household, like children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pets. You should also plan for different situations: staying safe at home, which means having a designated safe room with access to communication tools, and evacuating, which means knowing at least two ways to get out of your home and figuring out how you'll travel. Finally, the plan should include practical information, such as where the main shut-off valves for gas, water, and electricity are in your home. It's important to know how to use these in an emergency, but remember: if you turn off the gas, you'll need a professional to turn it back on. Practicing your plan at least two to three times a year will help make sure everyone knows what to do and can act quickly when time is of the essence.
Step 3: Build Your Kit
Your emergency kit is the physical representation of your preparedness plan. It's designed to give you and your family enough essential supplies to last at least three days (72 hours), which is how long it might take for first responders to reach you after a major disaster. Some health organizations also suggest having a two-week supply of groceries for situations in which you might need to isolate or quarantine.
It's helpful to think of your supplies in two ways: a small, easy-to-carry "go bag" for quick evacuations, and a larger home kit for hunkering down. The go bag should have important items for a short time, while the home kit can hold more. A kit is only useful if it's ready, so keep it somewhere easy to reach and remember to check expiration dates on food, water, and medicine every six months. The following table lists some essential items for any preparedness kit:
| Water | One gallon of water per person, per day, for at least three days. Consider water purification tablets. |
| Food | At least a three-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food, such as canned goods, powdered milk, and crackers. Don't forget a manual can opener and utensils. |
| Health & Safety | First aid kit, medications (a 7-day supply is recommended), masks, a whistle, moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties. |
| Tools & Utilities | Battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight, extra batteries, a multi-purpose tool, and matches in a waterproof container. |
| Personal Items | A change of clothes for each person, sturdy shoes, blankets or sleeping bags, and personal hygiene supplies like soap and toothbrushes. Consider cash, a map of the area, and a list of important phone numbers. |
| Important Documents | Copies of personal documents such as passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, prescriptions, and a list of important contacts. |
| Special Needs | Any items needed for specific household members, including baby formula, diapers, bottles, pet food, medications, carriers, and leashes. |
Step 4: Get Involved
While preparing individually is important, a community is truly strong when people work together. Being ready for emergencies and recovering from them isn't just about your own home. When you work with your neighbors and community, it can save lives and property. A group of prepared people can offer vital assistance until the professionals arrive.
There are many ways to get involved and help your community become more resilient. You could take a first aid or CPR class to learn a life-saving skill. You can also join official groups like a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) or the American Red Cross. Even small actions can make a big difference. Get to know your neighbors and what they might need or what skills they have, like medical knowledge or technical expertise. This informal network of support is a key part of a "whole community" approach, making sure that everyone, including neighbors with disabilities or who are elderly, is thought of during a crisis. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services also helps with this by working with partners to offer training and resources that improve public health emergency preparedness. Do you want to help support Wisconsin during emergencies? You can join WEAVR, a volunteer registration system for health care and behavioral health professionals who may be called on to fill critical response and recovery roles following a major public health emergency.
Local Resources
Local government groups are an essential piece of local emergency preparedness. They not only respond when emergencies happen but also work ahead of time to develop plans and offer help. The Brown County Emergency Management Office is in charge of creating and maintaining the county's emergency plans and building connections between local groups like first responders, health care workers, and non-profit organizations. The local health departments in Brown County (Brown County Public Health, De Pere Health Department, Oneida Nation Health Department) also play key roles in getting ready for, and responding to, public health emergencies.
Here are some local resources to know when it comes to emergency preparedness:
- CodeRED: Sign up for emergency and general alerts by phone, email, text, or the mobile app.
- National Weather Service - Green Bay: A local source for weather predictions, warnings, and information about how to get ready for weather events.
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services: Provides information and help for getting ready for public health emergencies.
- American Red Cross: Offers valuable resources on making a plan and putting together a kit, as well as chances to volunteer.
National Preparedness Month reminds us that getting ready for emergencies is an ongoing effort, not a one-time event. It's something we all need to work on, as individuals and as a community. The steps might seem like a lot, but the main thing is to just get started. Whether it's signing up for emergency alerts, making a list of important contacts, or beginning to put together your emergency kit, every little step you take now significantly improves your family's safety and your community's ability to bounce back when the unexpected happens.
Stay Healthy and Prepared, Brown County!
Resources
https://www.weather.gov/bmx/outreach_npm
https://www.wpafb.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4292015/national-preparedness-month-2025-preparedness-starts-at-home/
https://www.cdc.gov/prepare-your-health/discussionguides/index.htm
https://climatecheck.com/wisconsin/green-bay
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/flood/index.htm
https://www.wpr.org/news/dnr-limit-eating-ducks-fish-wisconsin-pfas-contamination
https://www.browncountywi.gov/departments/emergency-management/general-information/code-red/
https://www.browncountywi.gov/departments/emergency-management/general-information/code-red/codered-faqs/
https://www.ready.gov/kids/make-a-plan
https://www.ready.gov/kids/family-emergency-planning/build-a-kit
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/preparedness/weavr/index.htm
https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PDF_s/Preparedness___Disaster_Recovery/Disaster_Preparedness/Be-Red-Cross-Ready-Preparedness-Factsheet.pdf