Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 173 / Thursday, September 6, 2018 / Presidential Documents 45315 

Proclamation 9779 of August 31, 2018 

National Preparedness Month, 2018 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

National Preparedness Month is a time to focus our attention on the importance of preparing our families, homes, businesses, and communities for 

disasters that threaten our lives, property, and homeland. During this time, 

we also honor the brave men and women who selflessly respond to crises 

and disasters, rendering aid to those in need. These first responders, who 

work tirelessly to safeguard our Nation and protect our citizens, deserve 

our utmost gratitude and appreciation. 

Over the past year, communities nationwide and across the Territories have 

witnessed and endured damage from multiple hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters. The historic 

hurricane season of 2017 included three catastrophic storms that made landfall within a month, and was followed by a destructive series of wildfires 

in California. Combined, these natural disasters affected 47 million people 

and tens of thousands were mobilized to provide aid, comfort, and assistance. 

We are also especially mindful of those currently affected by ongoing 

wildfires in California, Oregon, and Colorado. In spite of tremendous challenges, the resilience of the American people continues to prevail. 

Tragedies are somber reminders that preparedness is a shared responsibility 

and that it is critical to maintain readiness. All Americans can prepare 

for potential disasters by developing and practicing a family emergency 

response plan, assembling a disaster supply kit, signing up for alerts on 

mobile devices, setting aside emergency savings, and maintaining adequate 

insurance policies for their homes and businesses. The Federal Emergency 

Management Agency’s Ready Campaign outlines other important steps to 

best prepare for a major disaster. 

This month, I encourage all Americans to take the opportunity to ensure 

they have an emergency response plan in place and ready to be properly 

executed. Emergencies and disasters test the resilience and strength of families, communities, and our Nation. It is impossible to avoid every challenge 

and threat, but we can and must prepare for them. By doing so, we can 

help protect our communities and save lives. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2018 

as National Preparedness Month. I encourage all Americans, including Federal, State, and local officials, to take action to be prepared for disaster 

or emergency by making and practicing their emergency response plans. 

Each step we take to become better prepared makes a real difference in 

how our families and communities will respond and persevere when faced 

with the unexpected. 


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45316 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 173 / Thursday, September 6, 2018 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day 

of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the 

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortythird. 

[FR Doc. 2018–19509 

Filed 9–5–18; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3295–F8–P 


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