Summary
National Preparedness Month isn’t just a friendly reminder—it was created after 9/11 as a warning. Despite years of FEMA campaigns, most Americans remain dangerously unprepared for disasters. From cyberattacks and hurricanes to FEMA’s past failures, this blog exposes the truth behind the campaign and shows how to actually get ready—on your terms.
Why National Preparedness Month Exists
The Origins of National Preparedness Month
Use September to Fully Prepare
Why National Preparedness Month Exists
Every September, the US government rolls out National Preparedness Month, urging Americans to get ready for emergencies.
But why was this month even created?
And why does it take 30 days of national focus to remind people to be prepared?
National Preparedness Month is presented as a FEMA-sponsored campaign each year—just a friendly reminder to practice preparedness.
However, it was created after a national emergency crisis.
And since its creation, we’ve experienced more disasters, not fewer.
Let’s get it straight…This isn’t a campaign—it’s a warning.
Keep in mind that “twenty-eight disasters nationwide caused $93 billion in damage in 2023—a price tag the country has exceeded in the first half of 2025.”
From FEMA’s repeated delays during disasters to modern threats like cyberattacks, extreme weather, and civil unrest, one truth remains: you are your own first responder.
Read on to learn the truth.
The Origins of National Preparedness Month
National Preparedness Month was launched after 9/11 to combat rising threats and public complacency.
After 9/11, the US government formed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2002.
FEMA became a part of DHS and made preparedness education one of its main missions.
As a result, the National Preparedness Month yearly campaign began in 2004 by FEMA in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security.
The purpose of National Preparedness Month is to encourage all Americans to prepare for emergencies, including natural disasters, man-made events (including terrorist attacks and power grid failures), and public health emergencies.
The month of September was chosen to commemorate the attacks on September 11, 2001.
September also marks the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.
Each year, there is a theme with action points.
2025’s theme is “Preparedness Starts at Home” with the following four action steps:
- Know your risk.
- Make a family emergency plan.
- Build an emergency supply kit.
- Get involved in your community by taking action to prepare for emergencies.
Why Does FEMA Keep Failing?
Since 9/11, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has faced significant criticism for its response to several major disasters.
These failures often stemmed from poor coordination, delayed responses, lack of preparedness, or mismanagement of resources.
Its continual failures make Americans less likely to take heed of its preparedness advice.
Consider the following failures.
- Hurricane Helene (2024): When North Carolina was devastated by wind and rain from the hurricane, many were angry at FEMA’s slow response or that they did nothing at all.
- Maui Wildfires (2023): FEMA aid took too long to arrive, and communication was very poor.
- Hurricane Katrina (2005): FEMA was slow to mobilize resources and personnel, failed to coordinate relief efforts, and failed to work with local and state agencies.
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Hurricane Maria (2017): FEMA was slow to provide aid and personnel, greatly underestimated the scale of the disaster and Puerto Rico’s needs, and failed to restore power or clean water for months.
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COVID-19 (2020): FEMA was involved in the controversial seizure and redistribution of medical supplies, leading to confusion among states and hospitals.
- Texas Winter Storm (2021): FEMA proved underprepared for cold-weather disasters in southern states.
Why listen to FEMA if they aren’t prepared themselves?
Most Americans Are Unprepared
Given that our country’s government organization tasked with encouraging Americans to practice emergency preparedness is not the greatest, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that most Americans aren’t prepared for a major emergency.
Consider the following alarming statistics:
- Just 5% of homes report having a fully stocked emergency supply kit, and 20% have none of the recommended supplies. [source]
- Only 54% of US households have made emergency preparations in the past 12 months. [source]
- Only 26% of Americans feel “very” or “extremely” confident they know what to do in a major disaster. [source]
It’s not surprising that 44% of Americans are more concerned about natural disasters and emergencies today than one year ago.
A Wells Fargo study found, “four in five Americans (84%) live in areas that have experienced some form of natural disaster in the past three years, and over half (54%) live in areas that have experienced severe natural disasters, specifically hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, or earthquakes. […] Nevertheless, most Americans (71%) admit they don’t have a detailed emergency plan in the event of a natural disaster.”
Use September to Fully Prepare
It's likely you will experience some sort of natural disaster or major emergency.
Everyone should always be prepared.
Use September’s National Preparedness Month as a warning.
Think of it as a launch pad to not just have the basic emergency items, but to build a fully stocked long-term emergency food pantry.
Go beyond the basic emergency gear and boost your supplies to items that could help you live off the grid for extended periods of time, like generators.
Rather than having a few gallons of water in the garage, invest in an Alexapure Water Filtration System you can use year-round.
Boost your communication plan by building effective systems within your community.
Create a local bartering system in case the supply chain falters.
Prepare all year, friends.
In liberty,
Elizabeth Anderson
Preparedness Advisor, My Patriot Supply
