(Council Bluffs) — Pottawattamie County officials are urging residents to focus on emergency preparedness this month.

By unanimous vote Tuesday morning, the county’s board of supervisors approved a proclamation recognizing September as National Preparedness Month. Emergency managers across the county set aside this month to encourage residents to prepare for emergencies. With the special month, Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Reed says his department is launching a special social media campaigning highlighting important steps in emergency planning.

He said they’ve created some very short preparedness videos on each week’s topics–there’s a different one each week, and the declaration coincides with Pottawattamie County’s 2025 Preparedness Fair September 18th from 5-until 8-p.m. at the county’s emergency operations center in Council Bluffs.

Their fifth annual event offers activities for all ages, including kids and family fun games, and face painting for the kids. There will be around 20 or more community organizations that are involved in disaster relief and recovery efforts. Their representatives will be on-hand to give information out to the public on general preparedness for all types of events

“Preparedness Begins at Home” is the theme of this year’s national observance. More information on emergency preparedness is available from Ready.gov.