National Preparedness Month is an annual campaign held every September by FEMA's Ready Campaign to encourage people, families, businesses and communities to prepare for disasters and emergencies. The Ready Campaign has observed it since 2004, and each year FEMA publishes a theme, key messages and a partner toolkit on Ready.gov.
For employers, September is a natural time to review the emergency action plan, practice evacuation and make sure every worker knows what to do when the alarm sounds, the power goes out or severe weather moves in.
When Is National Preparedness Month in 2027?
National Preparedness Month runs for the whole month of September, so in 2027 it runs from September 1 to September 30. The timing does not change from year to year.
What does change is the theme. FEMA announces a new theme and partner toolkit each year, usually in the weeks before September. The 2026 theme was "Americans Stand Ready," built around three basic steps: stay informed, make a plan and build a kit. Watch Ready.gov for the 2027 theme.
Why It Matters at Work
Emergencies rarely give notice. Fires, chemical releases, severe weather, earthquakes, floods, medical emergencies and workplace violence can all force a quick decision about whether to evacuate, shelter in place or call for help. Workers who have never practiced the plan tend to hesitate, use the wrong exit or leave without anyone knowing where they went.
Many workplaces are also required to plan for these situations. OSHA's emergency action plan standard sets out what a plan must include when another OSHA standard requires one, including how to report emergencies, how to evacuate and how to account for every employee afterward. An emergency action plan only works if people know it, so training and drills matter as much as the document itself.
Preparedness also extends to fleets and remote crews. Drivers and field workers may face a storm, wildfire or road closure far from the shop, and they need to know how to get information and who to contact.
How to Take Part
- Use the official toolkit. FEMA's Ready Campaign posts a partner toolkit, graphics and key messages for each year's theme. Share them on internal channels and bulletin boards.
- Review your emergency action plan. Confirm exit routes, assembly points, alarm signals and contact names are current, and that the plan reflects any new buildings, processes or staffing changes.
- Run a drill. Hold an evacuation or shelter-in-place drill and time how long it takes to account for everyone. Record what went well and what needs fixing.
- Check emergency equipment. Inspect first aid kits, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, eyewash stations and vehicle emergency kits.
- Update contact lists. Make sure employee emergency contacts and call trees are accurate and that supervisors can reach them quickly.
- Encourage home preparedness. Workers who know their families have a plan and a kit at home can focus more easily on their roles at work during an emergency. Point them to Ready.gov.
Toolbox Talk: Know Your Emergency Plan
Read this outline at a shift meeting during September.
- How to report an emergency. Review how to raise the alarm and who to call, including the number for outside emergency services and any internal contact.
- Your exit and your backup. Point out the nearest exit route from this work area and a second route in case the first is blocked.
- Where we meet. Name the assembly point and explain why everyone must check in there. Missing people trigger searches that put rescuers at risk.
- Shelter in place. Explain when we stay inside instead of leaving, such as during a tornado warning, and where the designated shelter area is.
- Special roles. Identify who shuts down critical equipment, who helps others evacuate and who handles first aid.
Discussion question: If our main exit were blocked right now, which way would you go, and does everyone on the crew agree?
Related Requirements
Under 29 CFR 1910.38, when an OSHA standard requires an emergency action plan, it must generally be in writing, kept at the workplace and available to employees. Employers with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally. At a minimum, the plan must cover:
- Procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency.
- Evacuation procedures and assigned exit routes.
- Procedures for employees who stay behind to operate critical equipment before they evacuate.
- How to account for all employees after evacuation.
- Duties of employees who perform rescue or medical tasks.
- The name or job title of people to contact for more information.
Employers must also maintain an employee alarm system, train designated employees to help with evacuation, and review the plan with each employee when it is developed, when the employee is assigned, and when duties or the plan change. Read our summary of Exit Routes and EAPs for more.
How SMS360 Helps
The Document Library in SMS360 gives you one controlled place to store your emergency action plan, evacuation maps, contact lists and drill records, so workers and supervisors can find the current version from any device. You can schedule and track emergency training, record drills with digital checklists, and assign corrective actions when a drill reveals a gap, with dashboards showing what is still open.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Preparedness Month 2027?
National Preparedness Month runs all of September, from September 1 to September 30, 2027. FEMA's Ready Campaign announces the theme and partner toolkit each year before the month begins.
Who started National Preparedness Month?
National Preparedness Month is led by FEMA's Ready Campaign, which has observed it every September since 2004. The campaign provides free messaging, graphics and planning resources on Ready.gov for individuals, organizations and communities.
What is the National Preparedness Month theme?
FEMA sets a new theme each year. The 2026 theme was "Americans Stand Ready," which encouraged people to stay informed, make a plan and build a kit. The 2027 theme had not been announced at the time of writing, so check Ready.gov for the latest.
