Keeping Summer Fun (and Safe): A Note on Getting Prepared
Summers should be fun—BBQs, road trips, time off with family. But for many of us in the United States, it also marks the start of high-risk seasons: hurricanes in the South and East, wildfires in the West, and extreme heat just about everywhere.
As someone who has spent more than two decades in emergency management, I’ve learned that preparation doesn’t have to be complicated, and it shouldn’t get in the way of enjoying summer. In fact, being prepared helps protect the fun. When you have a plan in place, you can breathe a little easier knowing you’ve done what you can.
Whether you're leading a business, managing a team, or just looking out for your family, here are a few things to keep in mind as the season kicks off.
Start with the Personal
Preparedness begins at home. If you're not safe and grounded, it's much harder to support others.
Stock a basic emergency kit with food, water, flashlights, medication, portable chargers, small denomination cash and key documents.
Know your local risks and have an evacuation and shelter-in-place plan.
Determine how you will communicate and meet up with friends and family if you lose power or phone service.
Sign up for your city or county’s emergency alerts—most offer text or email notifications.
Taking these small steps makes it easier to focus on the people who count on you, at home and at work.
Support Your Team
Whether you’re part of a 3-person nonprofit or leading a large department, your team’s safety should come first.
Encourage staff to create their own personal preparedness plans.
Keep emergency contact info up to date and accessible.
Make sure everyone knows what to do—and who to contact—if something disrupts normal operations.
The more confident your team feels, the more resilient your whole organization becomes.
Revisit Your Operations Plan
If something happens—a fire, a storm, a major heatwave—how will your organization respond? Now’s the time to review or create a basic continuity plan.
Who has decision-making authority in an emergency?
What services or functions must continue—and how can they continue remotely or in a reduced format?
How will you communicate with staff, partners, or customers if phones or power go out?
And don’t forget to practice your plan. A short tabletop exercise can spark great conversation and reveal gaps before you need to act in real time.
Stay Grounded, Stay Ready
Preparedness isn’t about fear. It’s about freedom—the ability to adapt, to respond, and to keep showing up when it matters most. Here are some free resources to help jumpstart your planning process:
I hope this summer brings you joy, rest, and time with the people who matter most. A little planning now can help make sure it stays that way.
-Andrea
