Harrisburg, PA — Today, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency announced Governor Josh Shapiro’s proclamation that September 2025 is National Preparedness Month in the Commonwealth, and September 19 is Emergency Management Coordinators Day to recognize the important work that county and municipal coordinators perform daily to keep Pennsylvania communities safe and ready.
“National Preparedness Month is a reminder that readiness is a responsibility at every level, from individuals and families to entire communities."
— PEMA Director Randy Padfield
“Our county and local emergency management coordinators are often the unsung heroes of community readiness," Director Padfield said. "They work tirelessly, often behind the scenes and without recognition, to ensure plans are in place, resources are available, and residents are protected when disaster strikes. Their dedication is a cornerstone of keeping Pennsylvanians safe.”
County and local officials across the Commonwealth are echoing the need for individual preparedness as we shine a spotlight on the topic for National Preparedness Month.
“Plan, prepare and prevent should always be the focus of every resident and visitor of Allegheny County and the Commonwealth,” said Allegheny County Department of Emergency Services Chief Matthew Brown. “Unplanned events and emergencies occur every day at homes, businesses, on our highways and rivers. Impacts from weather, accidents or intentional acts can flip our world upside down in seconds. Every effort we make individually to plan and prepare for all hazard potentials, makes us that much more successful and safer when these events happen.”
Chief Brown is one of many dedicated county emergency management coordinators tasked with helping to keep Pennsylvanians safe.
Every local municipality and county in the Commonwealth is required by law to have an emergency management coordinator, appointed by the governor to direct with emergency management activities in their community which includes preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation for disasters in their jurisdiction. Many of these municipal coordinators are volunteers, investing their own time and effort to ensure smooth operations of disaster response, supporting first responders, and providing updates to local elected officials.
The service of the local and county emergency management coordinators across Pennsylvania’s 2,560 municipalities and 67 counties is being recognized today. These dedicated coordinators are required to be proficient in emergency management practices and take countless hours of training to do so.
All Pennsylvanians are encouraged to visit Ready PA to learn how to be informed, be prepared, and be involved as a way to celebrate National Preparedness Month.
Residents across the Commonwealth are encouraged to reach out to their local municipal and county officials to learn how they can use their skills to volunteer or support their emergency management programs to keep their communities safe and ready.