National Preparedness Month: Honoring Our Progress, Strengthening Our Future

Each September, we celebrate National Preparedness Month, which serves as a celebration of the progress we’ve made in readiness and a reminder that preparedness is never finished.

An overall goal may never be achieved, but taking steps to be more prepared can still be accomplished. In your personal life, and in health care, where emergencies often arrive with little warning, preparedness is a daily commitment—and it saves lives.

Preparedness is always evolving, as are the disasters we face.

Why it Matters

Hospitals, health systems, and health care and public health professionals are on the front lines of preparedness. Their efforts extend far beyond treating patients when disaster strikes—they are actively working behind the scenes every day to strengthen readiness:

• Hospitals and health systems invest in emergency operations planning, training, and exercises that prepare teams for everything from mass casualty events to cyberattacks.

• Public health agencies coordinate surveillance, communication, and preventive strategies that protect communities before, during, and after crises.

• Health care workers—from nurses and physicians to environmental services and support staff—stand ready to respond to surges in patient care during disasters, or internal disasters at the facility of work.

• Partnerships with emergency management and first responders ensure that resources, communication, and support flow seamlessly when seconds matter most.

These efforts often happen quietly behind the scenes, but they form the backbone of resilience for communities across the nation.

The Need to Prepare

The public, as well as the health care sector, faces unique challenges when disaster strikes. Natural disasters, pandemics, cyber incidents, supply chain disruptions, and even everyday surges in demand can stretch systems to their limits.

National Preparedness Month is a reminder that we cannot become complacent.

The risks we face are evolving, and so too must our preparedness. Outside of being health care professionals, we are public citizens. So just as much as you should be prepared for what to do in the workplace in the event of disaster, you should be prepared for what to do in your personal life as well.

Preparedness in your personal life, and in health care, is not about preparing for “if”—it’s about preparing for “when.” For hospitals specifically, it means providing essential care, protecting the most vulnerable populations, and supporting the health of the community even during the most challenging times.

How We Can Strengthen Preparedness

National Preparedness Month is the perfect time for health care organizations to review and enhance their plans. Some key actions include:

1. Conduct exercises and drills:  Test emergency plans with real-world scenarios to ensure teams are ready.

2. Review supply and staffing plans:  Ensure backup resources, equipment, and staffing models are in place.

3. Enhance communication strategies:  Establish reliable ways to share information with staff, partners, and the community during disruptions.

4. Invest in cybersecurity resilience:  Protect critical systems from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

5. Engage the community:  Partner with local emergency management, long-term care, and public health organizations to strengthen whole-community readiness.

Moving Forward Together

Preparedness in health care is both a tribute to the dedication of those who serve and a call to action to strengthen the systems we rely on in times of crisis. By honoring the tireless work of hospitals, health care professionals, and public health partners—and by committing to continuous improvement—we can ensure that our communities remain safe, supported, and resilient.

During National Preparedness Month, let’s celebrate the progress already made in readiness, while recommitting to the work ahead. Preparedness is not a destination—it’s a journey we take together.

For more information, contact Charles “CJ” Sabo, MPH, EMT-B, manager, emergency management.