As National Preparedness Month (https://www.ready.gov/september) draws to a close, it’s an important reminder for all of us to take stock of our readiness in the face of emergencies. While there are countless suggestions on how to increase your preparedness—from stocking up on essentials to having an emergency communication plan—one key fact stands out: when “all else fails,” and ARES is needed, our ability to respond effectively depends on how well we are prepared in our personal lives.

Personal preparedness is the foundation for effective response. Whether responding to communication outages during natural disasters or providing vital support during emergencies, we cannot effectively help others if we’re not ready ourselves.

Environmental Challenges in the Months Ahead While Blount County may not face the direct impacts of hurricanes, we are not immune to the secondary effects. The heavy rainfall and storms that sweep through can lead to localized flooding and even tornados. Recent years have shown how quickly remnants of tropical storms can cause flash floods, endangering homes and infrastructure.

East Tennessee’s wildfire season is another factor to consider. The dry conditions during fall, combined with high winds, create a recipe for wildfires, which can spread quickly and lead to evacuations. While wildfires may seem more prevalent out west, we’ve seen how unpredictable fire behavior can threaten even our region.

As we move deeper into the year, winter weather brings its own set of challenges. Snow, ice, and frigid temperatures can result in hazardous travel conditions, power outages, and even risks from extended periods of arctic cold. Staying prepared for winter weather events by having alternative heat sources and backup power plans is crucial.

Be Ready, Stay Aware To be fully prepared, we encourage everyone to take steps now to ensure their personal readiness. Build your emergency kits, establish communication plans with family, and review your local emergency plans. Additionally, stay alert to weather patterns and potential environmental threats that may arise.

When ARES is activated, it’s often in response to these very events. Being prepared personally allows you to focus on providing essential communication services when our community needs them most.

Helpful Resources for Personal Preparedness To help you on your path to being prepared, here are some key online resources:

- Ready.gov: The official national preparedness website provides comprehensive guidance for preparing for all types of disasters, from building an emergency kit to making a plan. [Visit Ready.gov](https://www.ready.gov/september)

- FEMA’s Ready Tennessee App: Stay informed about severe weather and emergencies with real-time alerts and information. Download the app for iOS or Android. [Learn more about ReadyTN](https://www.tn.gov/tema/prepare/ready-tn.html)

- National Weather Service (NWS): Keep up with local weather alerts and forecasts to stay aware of potential hazards. [Check your local NWS forecasts](https://www.weather.gov)

- American Red Cross: From disaster preparedness checklists to emergency apps, the Red Cross offers helpful tools for personal and family preparedness. [Get Prepared with the Red Cross](https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies.html)

- CDC Preparedness Guide: Stay healthy during an emergency with the CDC’s guidance on emergency supplies, safety, and evacuation. [Explore the CDC’s emergency preparedness resources](https://www.cdc.gov/prepyourhealth/index.htm)

- Blount County Emergency Management: Familiarize yourself with local emergency plans, evacuation routes, and shelters. [Visit Blount County’s Emergency Management page](https://www.blounttn.org/226/Emergency-Management)

Conclusion Stay vigilant, stay prepared, and let’s ensure we’re ready to respond when the call comes. Take action now to secure your personal preparedness, so that when ARES is needed, we can stand strong as a community.