In 1775, Paul Revere rode through the Massachusetts countryside warning colonists that British troops were on the move. Contrary to the version most of us learned in school, Revere wasn’t alone. A network of riders, messengers, and communities helped spread the warning.

The warning system worked because people knew how to pass along information and what to do when they received it.

That feels especially fitting today. September 1 marks the start of National Preparedness Month in the United States, and this year’s theme, “Americans Stand Ready,” draws on that same idea: Preparedness works best when people are informed, equipped, and ready to act.

So, are you ready?

FEMA’s 2026 campaign focuses on a few decidedly unglamorous things: making a plan, knowing where to get reliable information, keeping emergency supplies on hand, and being prepared to help family, friends, and neighbors. The agency also connects individual preparedness to stronger communities and better support for first responders during disasters.

For businesses, the checklist looks a little different, but the idea holds up.

• When was the last time your organization tested its emergency communication system?
• Are employee contact details current?
• Does everyone know who makes the call to evacuate, close an office, or send an emergency message? And if that person is unavailable, who’s next?

Having an emergency plan is important. Knowing whether that plan works is more important.

This is where tabletop exercises earn their keep. They give teams a chance to work through an emergency before one is unfolding around them, revealing outdated information, fuzzy responsibilities, and other gaps that are much easier to fix during an exercise than during an actual disaster.

Why you should care: The first day of National Preparedness Month is a good time to ask a simple question: Would our plans actually work today?

You don’t need to spend September rewriting every emergency plan from scratch. Pick one thing and test it: run a tabletop exercise, send a test notification, update your contact information, or review an evacuation procedure nobody has looked at since the office moved.

“Standing ready” sounds big. Usually, it’s the small stuff that gets you there.

Every week, AlertMedia creates brand-new content to help safety, security, and business continuity professionals keep their people and organizations safe. Check out this week’s featured content:

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