Ready in 30: One Month, One Step at a Time (posted September 3, 2026)


Emergencies never happen when we want them to. That’s because we never want them to happen, and yet they still do. 

A severe storm could knock out power while you’re at work. A house fire could force your family to flee in the middle of the night. Your vehicle could break down miles from home. A large-scale disaster could even separate you from your loved ones for an extended period. 

You probably don’t want to spend a lot of time worrying about all the things that could go wrong. Life is already too full of little anxieties to also spend our waking moments fearful that we aren’t prepared for “the big one”.  

Thankfully, preparing for an emergency doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This September edition of the Healthy Herald will take you day-by-day, guiding you over the next month to become a preparedness champion. 

30-Day Preparedness Challenge
We’re calling it Ready in 30: One Month, One Step at a Time. Pretty catchy, right? The idea is simple: complete one preparedness activity each day for 30 days.  

“By the end of the challenge, you'll have taken 30 small steps toward making yourself, your family and your home better prepared for emergencies,” said Katie Bogatitus, Preparedness Coordinator for Brown County Public Health. “Most of the days only require a few minutes of your time, making for a manageable commitment.” 

We choose to launch this preparedness challenges in September because it’s National Preparedness Month. Since 2004, this yearly observance encourages Americans to be ready for emergencies. This year’s national theme is Americans Stand Ready. You can learn more about that by visiting FEMA’s excellent website, ready.gov. 

Prep is the Main Step 
When an emergency happens, you may not have time to decide what to do. That's why planning ahead is important. 

The American Red Cross recommends three key steps for emergency preparedness:  

1. Get a kit 
2. Make a plan 
3. Be informed.  

It also suggests practicing your plan so everyone in your household knows what to do. Click here to learn more about the Red Cross approach. 

“Our Brown County Public Health plan takes the same basic idea as the Red Cross,” said Bogatitus. “But we’re breaking it down into smaller tasks, so a participant doesn’t get overwhelmed.” 

Fortunately, this challenge includes some don’ts: 

• You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on supplies.  
• You don’t need to earn a PhD in preparedness.  
• You don’t need to cram all your preparation into a single weekend.  

Just follow our social media this month and spend a few minutes each day taking one useful step. 

That’s it. No hidden steps or hoops to jump through. As Bogatitus likes to emphasize, we try to make preparedness as easy as possible.  

Oh, and did we mention the rewards? Yes, of course, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re ready for the unexpected. But we’re also offering giveaways each week in a random drawing. Details will be on our social media channels. (Not following us yet? We post informational and educational content all the time! Check out our Facebook and Instagram.) 

Week One: Make a Plan 
The first week of ‘Ready in 30’ is about planning for your household. 

You’ll start by signing up for Brown County emergency alerts. Save important emergency contacts in your phone. Choose two meeting spots for your family. Locate your home's utility shutoffs. Review your insurance coverage and practice your family communication plan. 

These tasks may seem simple but preparing in advance helps manage stress during emergencies. 

For example, what if family members are in different places when an emergency happens? Where will you meet if you can’t return home? Who will you contact? 

It's easier to answer these questions when everyone is safe and calm. 

The Red Cross suggests families talk about the emergencies most likely to occur where they live, work, and play. Assign responsibilities to household members and practice your plans. 

“Your goal for Week 1 is to know what to do before you need to do it,” said Bogatitus. 

Week Two: Protect Your Home
During the second week, ‘Ready in 30’ focuses on your home. 

You’ll test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Check the expiration dates on your fire extinguisher. Create a home escape plan. Identify two exits from every room and practice a fire drill. 

These tasks are easy to delay. 

You might know you should test your smoke alarm, but when did you last do it? Does everyone in your home know two ways to exit? Do they know where to meet outside? 

Spending a few minutes now lets you answer these questions before an emergency happens. 

“For Week 2, the idea it to make your home safer and know how to exit if needed,” said Bogatitus. 

Week Three: Build a Kit 
Emergencies can leave you without power, water, or access to stores. Having basic supplies ready can help your household during these times. 

In Week 3, focus on building your emergency kit. Gather three days' worth of water. Check the expiration dates on emergency food. Add a flashlight with extra batteries, copies of important documents, and personal hygiene items. 

You don’t need to buy a prepackaged kit. You may already have many of items you need at home. 

Ready.gov suggests keeping at least three days' worth of water and nonperishable food. Include a flashlight, extra batteries, a first aid kit, a radio, and tools to turn off utilities. 

The American Red Cross reminds you to consider your household’s specific needs. These can include: 

• Medications 
• Medical equipment 
• Baby supplies 
• Pet items 
• Other items family members might need

“In Week 3, the key is to start somewhere so you'll have basic supplies ready when you need them,” said Bogatitus. 

Week Four: Be Ready Anywhere 
Preparedness doesn't end at your front door. 

In Week 4, ‘Ready in 30’ focuses on being ready when you're away from home. You'll learn to prep your vehicle for emergencies. Check your spare tire, add a blanket, review severe weather safety, and identify nearby shelters. You'll also learn hands-only CPR and share something you've learned with a friend or family member. 

Having basic supplies in your vehicle can make a big difference. A flashlight, blanket, first aid kit, water, and other emergency items can help if you get stranded or need to wait for assistance. 

Think about what you would do if an emergency happened while you’re at work, traveling, or out in the community. 

“The goal in this final week of September is to be prepared wherever you are,” said Bogatitus. 

Perfection is the Enemy of Progress 
Perhaps the most important aspect about ‘Ready in 30’ is that missing a day doesn’t mean you’ve failed. If you miss a day, just pick it up the next day. 

Preparedness isn’t a competition. The goal isn’t to have the perfect kit or know every answer. We want you to take practical steps that make you and your household more prepared than yesterday. 

That’s it. 

We can also tell you that this works better if you involve the whole family. Kids can help gather supplies, practice evacuation routes, or learn what to do during an emergency alert. The Red Cross suggests involving children in preparedness activities and discussing plans beforehand. This can help ease their fear and uncertainty if an emergency arises. 

A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way 
You might never need your emergency kit. You may never evacuate your home or use the family meeting place you've chosen. But thirty small actions later, you’ll have an emergency communication plan, a safer home, basic supplies, a better-prepared vehicle, and a clearer understanding of what to do in an emergency. 

Follow Brown County Public Health on social media throughout National Preparedness Month and join our challenge. Let’s all get Ready in 30! 

Stay Healthy, Brown County!