GENESEO, N.Y., Sept. 18, 2025 — September is National Preparedness Month, and Livingston County is reminding residents of the importance of planning ahead for emergencies and disasters.
National Preparedness Month encourages communities to strengthen their resilience by developing family emergency plans, building emergency supply kits, and staying informed about potential hazards now and throughout the year.
“Preparedness saves lives,” said Will Gall, Livingston County’s Office of Emergency Management director. “By taking simple steps, like having an evacuation plan for your family, creating an emergency supplies list, and checking in on neighbors, we can ensure our families and communities are ready to meet the moment when the unexpected happens.”
The County’s Office of Emergency Management stresses the importance of tailoring emergency plans to the unique needs of each household when developing a preparedness strategy. From medications and insurance information to pet supplies and infant formula, making a comprehensive plan means considering everything that may be needed during a disaster. Ready.gov offers customizable family emergency plans along with a comprehensive list of basic disaster supplies to consider when assembling a family emergency kit.
Gall also recommended residents take steps to stay informed during an emergency by signing up for NY-ALERT. A free service from the state, NY-ALERT provides real-time critical information and emergency alerts for residents throughout New York. Users can customize their alerts by selecting specific geographic areas and the types of alerts they wish to receive, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, building evacuations, and more.
This year’s Preparedness Month theme, ‘Preparedness Starts at Home,’ highlights four key actions to remain prepared for any disaster:
- Know your risk — Know what could happen where you and your family live.
- Make a family emergency plan — Creating a plan early helps reduce stress and save time and money.
- Build an emergency supply kit — Having enough food, water and medicine can help you stay safe and comfortable until help arrives.
- Get involved in your community by preparing for emergencies - Emergencies can happen fast, and emergency responders aren’t always nearby. You may be able to save a life by taking simple actions immediately. You can learn these steps when you take a first aid class through organizations in your community.
“Emergencies can happen at any time, whether it’s severe weather, a power outage, or a public health crisis,” added Gall. “The more prepared we are, the faster we can recover, and the less stress we put on our emergency management system and first responders.”
As part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen the community’s health and safety, the Livingston County Department of Health continues to actively recruit volunteers for its Medical Reserve Corps. This program aims to bolster the County’s emergency response capabilities and ensure trained personnel are available to assist during crises. For more information, including how to become an MRC volunteer, visit the Department of Health’s MRC volunteer page.
More information is available at the County’s emergency preparedness page or by calling the Livingston County Department of Health at (585) 243-7299 or the Office of Emergency Management at (585) 243-7160.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.