September is National Preparedness Month, and Warren County Office of Emergency Services is urging residents to make sure they are ready to respond when emergencies occur as another winter approaches.
The 2025 National Preparedness Month theme is "Preparedness Starts at Home," a campaign that emphasizes getting yourself, your family and your home ready for emergencies such as fires, power outages, ice storms and flooding.
By taking steps now, residents can be in control of their safety and that of their loved ones before, during and after a disaster.
A great place to start is to know the risks in the local area, then make a plan and build an emergency supply kit to help keep yourself and those you love safe and comfortable during and after a disaster. When making a plan, make sure to consider any unique needs of those you care for, whether it be medical conditions, loved ones with disabilities, pets, or any neighbors who might need help getting prepared.
To that end, Warren County Office of Emergency Services has organized a free NY Citizens Preparedness Corps training on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Register here.
Warren County Emergency Services Director Ann Marie Mason said: “Preparing a plan ahead of time can lessen the impact of a natural or man-made disaster, and will lead to less stress and confusion for everyone when an emergency occurs. Your plan should include signing up to receive alerts from the Ready Warren County NY cellphone application. This application will allow you to receive critical information and emergency alerts on what is happening in your area. This information may include severe weather warnings, significant highway closures, hazardous material spills and other emergency conditions.”
Kevin Geraghty, Chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors and 50-plus-year member of the Warrensburg Fire Company, said: “It is important for residents to be prepared for emergencies such as fires or severe weather so they can react accordingly if disaster strikes. Many emergencies happen in and around the home, so identifying risks around your home and knowing what to do when emergencies occur are key steps toward being ready.”
Warren County residents can improve their emergency preparedness by:
- Putting together an emergency kit that includes water, non-perishable food, medications, first aid kit, flashlight, maps, basic tools, dust mask, battery-powered radio, rechargeable battery for a cellphone, personal wipes and garbage bags.
- Storing your emergency kit items in a “go bag” that can be grabbed at a moment’s notice.
- Determining where to evacuate should you have to leave your home, including designating a meeting place and a location to seek shelter.
- Planning for your pets, setting aside food and medications they may need if you have to leave home quickly.
- Educating yourself about risks, and preparing the area around your home for bad weather. Trim tree branches, maintain home gutters and identify other possible threats to your home during wind or heavy rain.
- Preparing your vehicle with basic equipment for winter weather, such as a snow shovel, extra clothes and blankets.
In observance of National Preparedness Month, the U.S Department of Homeland Security and Warren County Office of Emergency Services have put together extensive emergency preparedness information that provides Warren County residents with opportunities to learn to be better equipped for bad weather, fires and other emergencies.
This information and more can be found on the Warren County Office of Emergency Services website or Facebook page or at ready.gov, which is operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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