Hamilton County proclaims September 2025 National Preparedness Month; EMA urges residents to sign up for Alert Hamilton County

The Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 28 read a proclamation declaring September 2025 as National Preparedness Month and urged residents to develop emergency plans and sign up for the county notification system.
The proclamation says the month is an opportunity “for every resident, employee, and visitor in Hamilton County to become educated and informed about threats and hazards that may impact the county,” and calls on households and businesses to create and practice response plans.
Morgan Peterson, assistant director of operations for the Emergency Management Agency, told the board that “disasters continue to demonstrate how critical preparedness is” and listed a range of hazards the county plans for, from tornadoes and flooding to winter storms and mass-shooting events. “This month is really making sure and encouraging everyone, whether you're an individual, a household, a business, or, you know, a government organization like us to make sure we're taking every effort we can to be prepared,” Peterson said.
Commissioners noted the agency’s work across 49 jurisdictions in Hamilton County and flagged ongoing priorities, including testing and repairing community warning sirens. The proclamation asks residents to sign up for the county’s emergency notification system, “Alert Hamilton County.”
The board read the proclamation aloud, invited EMA staff for remarks and posed for a photo after the presentation. No formal vote was recorded in the transcript beyond the reading and presentation.
For residents: the board and EMA emphasized three preparedness steps—learn local hazards, make a response plan, and sign up for Alert Hamilton County.