September is known as National Preparedness Month, and the Dallas County Emergency Management Department discusses ways they attempt to help residents.

According to Emergency Management Specialist Lynn Royer, the focus during September has been on shining a light on the work the department does in their efforts to support first responders with the tools and coordination they need to build readiness. She explains that there are five key components of a national preparedness strategy, which are prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. Royer stresses that preparedness is vital because disasters can happen at any time, and that having a plan is crucial to saving lives or minimizing damage.

Royer notes that new technologies are transforming the way people prepare and plan, with tools such as real time weather alerts, Geographic Information Systems Mapping, and Mass Notification Systems to allow the department to reach residents quickly and accurately in emergency situations. 

When it comes to the metrics being examined for determining the best preparedness measures, Royer highlights that in Dallas County, the department relies on both data and community feedback by conducting hazard vulnerability assessments to understand the risks and reviewing after-action reports from past incidents and exercises to see areas of improvement.