This September’s theme for National Preparedness Month is Prepared, Not Scared. Preparing yourself and loved ones for an emergency can be overwhelming. FEMA’s annual National Preparedness Month wants to help. Weekly themes for 2019 are:

• Week 1: Save Early for Disaster Costs
• Week 2: Make a Plan to Prepare for Disasters
• Week 3: Teach Youth to Prepare for Disasters
• Week 4: Get Involved in our Community’s Preparedness

Here are some things you can do right now to prepare for an emergency:

• Sign up for emergency alerts from the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) at www.ReadySBC.org.
• Sign up for emergency information from the City of Goleta at http://tinyurl.com/goletaemergency.
• Make an evacuation plan.
• Have a battery-powered radio ready to listen to local radio stations if the power goes out. 
• Be familiar with 211. Santa Barbara County’s 2-1-1 Helpline is the first point-of-access to all community services, including emergency information. A live person is available to answer questions 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, and in multiple languages.
• Finally, know your neighbors and look out for each other. Share verified information from trusted resources.

Follow the City of Goleta on Facebook (@CityofGoleta) and Twitter (@GoletaPIO) for tips throughout the month and visit www.ready.gov/september for more information.