Mayor Wilson proclaims September 2025 to be Preparedness Month

In accordance with this acknowledgement, we recognize:

WHEREAS, the City of Portland recognizes that emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility, that all emergencies are local, and our resilience depends on the readiness of every household, neighborhood, community and organization; and

WHEREAS, the growing impacts of climate change—including more frequent and severe extreme weather, flooding, and wildfires—along with the risk of the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, require that we take proactive steps to prepare; and

WHEREAS, the City of Portland engages in year-round preparedness efforts, and September is observed nationally as Preparedness Month to raise awareness and inspire individual and community action; and

WHEREAS, the City is fortunate to have 1,325 active Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) volunteers—trained by the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management—who serve as vital partners in disaster readiness, response, and recovery, helping neighbors prepare, stay informed, and stay safe by logging 17,368 volunteer hours so far this year; in the prior five years from 2019 to 2024, NETs logged 188,620 hours, a value of $6,105,630 in 2025 dollars and

WHEREAS, NET volunteers embody the spirit of community resilience by providing critical training and serving as trusted resources before, during, and after emergencies; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor of Portland is proud to serve as a NET volunteer and knows firsthand the difference that trained and empowered community members can make when disaster strikes; and

WHEREAS, approximately 20 Community Based-Organizations are in active partnership with the City of Portland and serve their communities in various ways, including opening spaces during extreme weather emergencies; and

WHEREAS, all Portlanders are encouraged to take steps to get prepared by building an emergency kit, starting with water, and signing up for Public Alerts at publicalerts.org—because being prepared saves lives; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Keith Wilson, Mayor of the City of Portland, do hereby proclaim September 2025 as:

PREPAREDNESS MONTH 

in the City of Portland, and I urge all residents to join in the effort to strengthen our community’s resilience by being informed, connected and prepared.