Be a Preparedness Hero: WCJCEMA Encourages Community to Prepare During National Preparedness Month

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (September 8, 2026) — September is National Preparedness Month, and the Washington County/Johnson City Emergency Management Agency (WCJCEMA) is encouraging everyone to take a few simple steps to be better prepared before an emergency happens.

This year, Tennessee’s theme is “Be a Preparedness Hero.” The campaign encourages Tennesseans of all ages to prepare, know where to get trusted information and build the relationships that help our communities respond and recover.

Here in Washington County and Johnson City, WCJCEMA leads emergency management and preparedness efforts for our community. We don’t do that work alone. The Tennessee Emergency Management Authority (TEMA) and our public safety, government, nonprofit, volunteer, education and community partners work with us year-round to provide information, resources and support before, during and after emergencies and disasters.

Preparedness doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Start with a few basics:

• Build a Kit. Keep basic supplies at home that you may need if the power goes out, roads are closed or you have to stay home for an extended period. Think about water, food, medications, flashlights, batteries, phone chargers, first aid supplies and anything your family or pets may need.

• Make a Plan. Talk with your family about what you would do during an emergency. Know where you would go, how you would get there and how you would contact each other if you became separated.

• Stay Informed. Know where to get reliable information when something happens. Follow WCJCEMA and other official sources, pay attention to emergency alerts and know the difference between a watch and a warning. Don’t wait until an emergency to figure out where you’ll get information.

• Get Involved. One of the best ways to help your community is to become better prepared yourself. The Washington County/Johnson City Community Emergency Response Team (WC/JC CERT) gives community members hands-on training in basic emergency and disaster response skills. CERT members learn how to take care of themselves, their families and their neighbors when help may not be immediately available. Trained volunteers can also support WCJCEMA and our partners during community events, emergencies and recovery operations. Learn more about CERT and upcoming training at wcjcema.org/cert.

• Know Your Risks. Severe storms, flooding, tornadoes, winter weather, power outages and other emergencies can happen here. Think about the risks where you live, work and travel, and what you would do if one of those emergencies happened today.

• Learn a Skill. Knowing CPR, basic first aid, how to stop serious bleeding or how to use a fire extinguisher could help you save a life. These are skills you can learn before you ever need them.

Being prepared doesn’t mean you have to plan for every possible emergency. It means taking practical steps now so you know what to do when something happens.

For more preparedness information and resources, visit Ready.gov and wcjcema.org.