September is National Preparedness Month.
Shelter, water, and food are the primary necessities for survival, but there is a lot more you can do to prepare. Have an emergency plan. It should include how you are going to communicate when you can't use a telephone or the Internet. "Amateur Radio - When All Else Fails" is a valid slogan, but only if you are prepared to use it beforehand. This is why being an active member of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and participating in exercises such as the Simulated Emergency Test in October are important.
ARES ECs should use National Preparedness Month announcements to help promote Amateur Radio as an effective means of emergency communication.
If you do not have your Amateur Radio license or are not involved in ARES, please contact your county EC or to get involved.