COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Bradley J. Dandridge, Fire Chief
DATE: September 1, 2026
SUBJECT: Proclamation proclaiming the month of September as “National Preparedness Month”
The City Council will present a Proclamation proclaiming the month of September, as “National Preparedness Month” in the City of Santa Maria.
BACKGROUND:
The Federal Emergency Management’s Agency’s (FEMA) Ready Campaign has observed September as National Preparedness Month since 2004 to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies. The month is a great time to encourage residents to take steps to be prepared.
DISCUSSION:
The 2026 National Preparedness Month theme is “Americans Stand Ready”. This is an opportunity to learn more about ways to prepare for all types of emergencies from natural disasters to potential terrorist attacks. National Preparedness Month was created by FEMA’s Ready Campaign to increase p ublic awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to persuade individuals to act.
When residents take steps to prepare for disasters and keep their families safe, every neighborhood and community is more resilient. The theme will focu s on several distinct ideas that capture how Americans take pride in their ability to protect themselves and their families and work together to recover from disasters:
Americans stand ready to uphold their patriotic duty: When individuals are prepared and self-reliant, they can bolster the work the first responders do to help people on their worst day.
Americans stand ready to protect their family and friends : Individuals know best how to keep their loved ones safe when things go wrong. Americans stand ready to help their communities: Taking a proactive approach to get the community ready contributes to the nation’s resilience.
Attachment(s): 2026 National Preparedness Month Proclamation