Notice something different in the banner for today’s Security and Resilience Update? For the rest of the month, WaterISAC will remind its members that September is National Preparedness Month, a time when everyone is encouraged to engage in disaster planning and preparedness. This year’s theme, which has great resonance given recent and ongoing events like Hurricane Laura and the COVID-19 pandemic, is: “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today.” Read a Presidential Proclamation on National Preparedness Month at the White House.

Each week in September has a sub-theme. The one for this week is: “Make a Plan.” Via the National Preparedness Month landing webpage, FEMA’s Ready Campaign offers numerous resources to assist with this step. While the “Make a Plan” webpage is primarily oriented towards individuals and families, a separate “Business” webpage provides resource that can help organizations prepare themselves for the most likely hazards. Additionally, given this week's theme U.S. EPA reminds the sector of its Emergency Response Plan (ERP) template and instructions. These tools are designed to assist utilities with describing the strategies, resources, plans, and procedures they can use to prepare for and respond to an incident, natural or man-made, that threatens life, property, or the environment. As EPA notes on the webpage, completing an ERP is also a requirement for community water systems serving populations greater than 3,300 in accordance with America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA).