The State Hygienic Laboratory, and other state and national agencies are recognizing September as National Preparedness Month to highlight how easy it is to be prepared.

SHL’s Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response manages laboratory readiness and response to credible threat events involving unknown substances; public health and environmental emergencies; biological or chemical threats; pandemic influenza; disease outbreaks such as Ebola; chemical spills; flooding; and other natural disasters.

On Sept. 4, Gov. Kim Reynolds proclaimed September as Preparedness Month in Iowa.

"This past summer's severe weather and flooding are a reminder that disasters can, and do, happen in our state, and that is why I have proclaimed September as Preparedness Month in Iowa," said Reynolds.

During Preparedness Month, Iowans are urged to take simple steps to ensure they, their families and coworkers are prepared. This includes making an emergency plan, building an emergency kit and being aware of hazards in their area. More information about these simple steps can be found on the Ready Iowa website.

Preparedness Month is sponsored each year by the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD), the Iowa Emergency Management Association, the Safeguard Iowa Partnership and the National Weather Service. This year, the Iowa Insurance Division is joining Preparedness Month sponsors to highlight the importance of flood insurance.

"While our department's job is ensuring that Iowa and Iowans are prepared and ready to respond to emergencies and disasters, during Preparedness Month we want to highlight the importance of personal preparedness," said Joyce Flinn, acting director of the Iowa HSEMD. "Through preparedness planning activities, citizens can rest easy knowing they've done everything possible to survive emergencies and disasters."

Allan Curtis, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Des Moines, stresses that now is the time to develop and practice a plan before severe weather strikes. "Knowing what action to take at home, work, school, in a vehicle and places in between could save your life when severe weather threatens,” Curtis said. “Planning and preparing for the impacts of weather is critical to building a Weather-Ready Nation."

Iowa's Preparedness Month is held in conjunction with National Preparedness Month, which was created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States to educate the public on how to prepare for emergencies.

The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management leads, coordinates and supports homeland security and emergency management functions to establish sustainable communities and ensure economic opportunities for Iowa and its citizens.

Preparedness Month information is available on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtags #NatlPrep, #PlanAhead, and #ReadyIA.