Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The President marked National Preparedness Month by urging all Americans to prepare themselves, their families, homes, businesses, and communities for natural and man-made threats. Emphasizing that strength comes from preparedness and readiness, the message stressed that understanding the most relevant risks is the foundation for readiness.
Practical steps recommended include securing homes and property, purchasing appropriate insurance, knowing evacuation routes, maintaining emergency kits with essential supplies, and staying informed through trusted local news and real-time alerts. Such measures can save lives, protect livelihoods, and help communities return to normal after crises.
Businesses and operators of critical infrastructure also play a key role in readiness. The energy, communications, transportation, financial, water, food, and health sectors must remain functional during emergencies. The Administration is working to improve system reliability, secure supply chains, reduce dependencies, and ensure continuity of services in crises.
The President's message noted that the National Resilience Strategy issued earlier this year outlines how the nation will achieve readiness through federalism. The Administration aims to transform emergency management based on readiness, responsibility, and results, encouraging states and communities to build fiscal and operational capacity. This approach seeks to enable local governments to respond swiftly and rebuild stronger, allowing the Federal Government to focus resources on the greatest risks and catastrophic incidents.
The statement also stated that national readiness reduces opportunities for adversaries to exploit crises. The President recognized the crucial role of first responders, law enforcement, emergency personnel, and volunteers, honoring their commitment to responding promptly and selflessly.