REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Proclamation of September 2025 as National Preparedness Month
Report
BACKGROUND
National Preparedness Month was launched in 2004 as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sponsored Ready Campaign in an effort to strengthen our country’s preparedness capabilities. The national preparedness architecture encompasses prevention, protection, response, and recovery efforts to prepare the United States for all hazards, whether terrorist attacks or natural disasters.
Since September 11, 2001, the U.S. Government has taken steps to encourage all citizens to make their own safety preparations. September was chosen as National Preparedness Month, as the tragedies of September 11, 2001, highlighted to the nation the importance of being prepared.
Since its inception, National Preparedness Month has encouraged individuals, families, and communities to take part in practicing preparedness, having knowledge about various emergencies that may affect them, and taking steps and getting trained in preparedness and response efforts.
DISCUSSION
National Preparedness Month falls in September each year and emphasizes the need for each community in our nation to be prepared. This year’s National Preparedness Month theme is “Preparedness Starts at Home.” Our City recognizes the need for everyone in the community to remain prepared for all disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, and the potential for a Public Safety Power Shutoff due to wildland fires.
The City of Santa Clara is committed to supporting National Preparedness Month, realizing the importance of being prepared for all hazards. For more information, visit the City of Santa Clara Emergency Preparedness Resources website located at SantaClaraCA.gov/OEM and register for Alert SCC, Santa Clara County’s emergency alert and warning system. Residents are also encouraged to download the MyShake App to receive earthquake early warning notifications.
City Council would like to recognize and proclaim the month of September 2025 as “National Preparedness Month” with the theme “Santa Clara Ready” to increase public awareness of the importance of emergency preparedness.
This year the City has specifically focused on preparing City staff for their role in a disaster as well as for pre-planned large City events. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as part of a series of “Crawl, Walk, Run, Sprint” style Emergency Operations Center (EOC) workshops and exercises, the City’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) conducted an EOC workshop with over 40 City staff attendees. The workshop was geared toward establishing familiarity with the organization, reporting structure, priorities, and extended operations of an EOC with primary deliverables in the form of broad EOC and section-specific EOC objectives for an EOC Action Plan framework which would be applicable to nearly all disasters, but most specifically applicable to pre-planned large events. The outcomes from this workshop informed the EOC Table-Top Exercise which took place on June 17, and will lay the groundwork for two additional EOC exercises to be held this fall. A number of short “EOC Orientation” courses were held to prepare City staff for their roles in the EOC. A “Senior and Elected Officials Emergency and Disaster Training” was also held on May 29.
Additionally, as part of a migration to the City Manager’s Office, and as part of the OEM rebranding and the city-wide effort to update the City website, OEM launched its newly updated webpage under the City Manager’s Office profile. This webpage better reflects the office’s mission as well as consolidates resources for community members looking for emergency preparedness information. OEM will continue to update and enhance its webpage in collaboration with the City’s Communications Division, but this launch is reflective of the continued professionalization and maturity of the City’s Office of Emergency Management.
All of this, in addition to many trainings and events we have planned over the next year, will help to enhance our readiness for the major special events scheduled in our city in the coming year and beyond.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact other than City staff time.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
Staff
Reviewed by: David Flamm, Emergency Manager
Approved by: Jōvan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proclamation of September 2025 as National Preparedness Month