Pottawattamie County Emergency Management is highlighting the importance of preparedness as the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors has designated September 2026 as Preparedness Month, encouraging residents to take steps now to ensure they are ready when an emergency or disaster occurs.
The Board approved the proclamation during its September 1 meeting as Pottawattamie County Emergency Management joins agencies across Iowa and the nation in recognizing National Preparedness Month.
“Disasters and emergencies can strike at any time, often without warning,” the proclamation states, emphasizing that preparedness is a shared responsibility among individuals, families, businesses, community organizations and government agencies.
Pottawattamie County Emergency Management will use the month to highlight resources available to help residents prepare for emergencies ranging from severe weather and winter storms to other natural, technological and human-caused hazards.
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Emergency Management Director Doug Reed told the Board the department will use Preparedness Month to highlight resources available to help residents prepare for emergencies, particularly as the county moves into fall severe weather and the winter months.
Reed also pointed to lessons from emergencies that impacted Pottawattamie County in 2024, including feedback from residents who relied on the county’s emergency alert system and other preparedness resources.
Preparedness can begin with simple actions, including developing a family emergency plan, knowing how family members will communicate during a disaster, understanding local hazards and making sure everyone in the household knows what to do when an emergency occurs.
The month’s activities will culminate with the 2026 Pottawattamie County Preparedness Fair on Thursday, September 17, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pottawattamie County Emergency Operations Center in Council Bluffs.
The sixth annual event brings together many of the community organizations and agencies involved in disaster response and recovery, giving residents an opportunity to learn about available resources before they need them.
The free, family-friendly event will include food, giveaways and preparedness information from community partners. Pottawattamie County Public Health is expected to offer seasonal flu vaccinations, while the American Red Cross will provide information about resources and training opportunities, including CPR.
The Preparedness Fair has continued to grow each year and provides residents with a chance to meet the people and organizations that work together when emergencies affect the county.
“Every night on the news you hear about a disaster where people are packing up and running for their lives,” Supervisor Susan Miller remarked during the meeting. “It just brings it home and reminds us how important it is that you have a plan, and your family knows that plan.”
The proclamation urges all Pottawattamie County residents to make preparedness a priority and take steps during September to ensure their households are ready for the next emergency.
Pottawattamie County Emergency Management team members attending the proclamation presentation included Gabriel Barney, Deputy Director; Michell Bose, Emergency Management Specialist; Benjamin Fichter, Emergency Management Specialist; Jamie Meek, Emergency Management Specialist; and Doug Reed, Emergency Management Director.
More information is available through Public Relations.
