National Preparedness Month
Ready Together. Prepare Where You Live.
September is National Preparedness Month, a nationwide effort to encourage individuals, families and communities to take steps now to prepare for emergencies and disasters.
San Bernardino County is the largest county by area in the contiguous United States, with communities stretching across valleys, mountains and deserts. With that diverse landscape comes different risks. Wildfires and winter storms can impact mountain communities, extreme heat and flash flooding can affect the desert, and earthquakes, heat and wildfire smoke can create challenges throughout the valleys.
This September, the San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services is encouraging residents to get Ready Together and Prepare Where You Live.
Throughout the month, we’ll share preparedness tips tailored to the places our residents call home, with practical steps you can take before an emergency happens. Whether you live in the desert, mountains or valley, preparedness starts with understanding the risks around you, making a plan, building an emergency kit and knowing how to stay informed.
Wherever you live, preparing today can help you, your household and your community be ready for tomorrow.
Join the San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services and County Libraries for a hands-on preparedness event. Learn vital emergency skills—including building a 72-hour kit, Hands-Only CPR, fire extinguisher use, basic first aid, and setting up emergency alerts (Ready SB County app). Enjoy a dedicated kids’ activity area and treats from Kona Ice while learning how to keep your household safe.
Family Preparedness Day
Date & Time: Saturday, Sept. 26 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Kona Ice: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
Location: Highland Branch Library, 7863 Central Ave., Highland, CA
Cost: Free (Family-friendly)
Planning to attend?
Win a free emergency preparedness kit! The first 50 people to register will be entered into a drawing for a preparedness kit. Selected participants will be contacted before the event and can pick up their kit on September 26.
By registering, you’ll also help us learn more about what families want to know about emergency preparedness. The short Family Preparedness Day survey will help us better understand the preparedness topics, challenges and resources that are most useful to our community.
Living in San Bernardino County’s mountain communities means preparing for conditions that can change quickly. Wildfires, winter storms, power outages and road closures can affect evacuation routes, travel and access to essential services.
Plan ahead by learning multiple ways in and out of your community, making a household emergency plan and keeping your vehicle fueled and ready. Have enough food, water, medications and other essentials to help your household stay self-sufficient for several days.
San Bernardino County’s desert communities can experience extreme conditions, from dangerous heat and high winds to flash flooding and power outages. Long distances and changing road conditions can also make travel more challenging during an emergency.
Stay prepared by keeping extra water and emergency supplies on hand and checking weather and road conditions before heading out. Never drive through flooded roadways, and stock your vehicle with essentials in case you become stranded or delayed.
San Bernardino County’s valley communities can experience hazards that affect daily life with little warning. Earthquakes can strike suddenly, extreme heat can strain people and infrastructure, and wildfire smoke can impact air quality even when a fire is miles away.
Be ready by securing heavy furniture and objects that could fall, and keeping enough food, water and essential supplies for several days. Know where you can stay cool during extreme heat and how you’ll protect yourself and your household when air quality is poor.
Learn More and Prepare Today
During National Preparedness Month, FEMA encourages Americans to prepare for disasters, protect their families and help build more resilient communities.
Understanding the hazards that can affect San Bernardino County is a critical step in preparing for emergencies.
Stay informed and prepared with the Ready SB County App –your personal emergency toolkit from San Bernardino County OES. This free, easy-to-use app provides rea
The San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services leads, coordinates and supports emergency management efforts to help San Bernardino County prepare for, r
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