The City of Springfield, with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the Department of Health & Human Services are joining the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to mark the month of September as National Preparedness Month.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi, District Chief of Emergency Preparedness Tyrone Denson, and Health & Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton Harris encourage all residents to be prepared for all types of emergencies and disasters which can occur, often with little notice.
September is National Preparedness Month. It is a time to prepare yourself and those in your care for emergencies and disasters. You know that emergencies can happen unexpectedly in communities just like yours, to people like you. We’ve seen tornado outbreaks, river floods and flash floods, historic earthquakes, tsunamis, and even water main breaks and power outages in U.S. cities affecting millions of people for days at a time. Police, fire and rescue may not always be able to reach you quickly in an emergency or disaster.
The most important step you can take in helping your local responders is being able to take care of yourself and those in your care; the more people who are prepared, the quicker the community will recover. This September, please prepare and plan in the event you must go for three days without electricity, water service, access to a supermarket, or local services for several days. National Preparedness Month culminates on September 30th with National Preparedness Day, the National Day of Action.
The City of Springfield’s Department of Elder Affairs and Fire Department present the Springfield Community Emergency Preparedness Event, on Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center located at 1476 Roosevelt Ave, Springfield, MA 01109. This event is FREE to the public. There will be a “Q & A” opportunity for attendees to ask questions.
The City of Springfield Office of Emergency Preparedness would like to encourage all residents to take this month to conduct the following activities below:
- Make A Plan: Preparedness starts at home. Create a family emergency plan including what to do and how to stay in contact in case of an emergency. Prepare an evacuation plan that specifies where you will go and what you will bring. Make a Family Emergency Plan | Mass.gov
- Build A Kit: You will need items to survive during a disaster. That includes supplies you may need at home as well as a ‘to-go’ kit of items you may need if you must evacuate quickly to a safer location. Build an Emergency Kit | Mass.gov
- Prepare for Disasters: Find out the best way to limit the impact a disaster may have, like having the right insurance coverage or what can you do to your home to make it stronger and more resilient. Prepare Your Home for Emergencies | Mass.gov
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “Unfortunately, we have gone through our fair share of natural and man-made disasters. From the June 1, 2011 EF-3 tornado, the freak Nor’easter in October 2011, the natural gas explosion and the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. Through it all, we have endured. Being prepared makes the difference in how we respond. Promoting a culture of resilience through preparedness will enable our city and residents to take the preparatory actions necessary to overcome the threats and hazards that are presented to them. Have a plan, stock up on those essentials such as water and non-perishable food, and listen to the experts on how to keep yourself, your loved ones and your property safe.”
Springfield Fire Department District Chief of Emergency Preparedness Tyrone Denson states, “National Preparedness Month is a set time on the calendar for either creating or updating emergency plans. It’s a time to prepare and protect those closest to us by increasing awareness, developing action plans, and practicing them. These actions include formulating evacuation plans for family members and pets, and assembling emergency and first aid kits. The emergency kits should include prescriptions, papers, personal needs and pet supplies. The goal is to be self-sufficient for at least three days.”
Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton Harris states, “In the Department of Health and Human Services, we remain committed to assuring all our residents have awareness and access to resources to be prepared for potential emergencies and assure their health and safety. As always, we must remember how emergencies may impact the most vulnerable in our communities. I commend and thank our Fire Department team for working closely with our Elder Affairs staff to host the public, informational Emergency Preparedness Event at our Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center this Thursday. We as a city have been through some serious emergency situations and continue to work together to make sure we are ready for whatever could arise. I encourage all to please check in on your family and neighbors, especially the older folks in our community and let each other know that this information is available.”
For further information regarding community preparedness and response, please visit the city’s Emergency Preparedness webpage: https://www.springfield-ma.gov/fire/emergencypreparedness.
You can also learn more by visiting the MEMA page on Mass.gov: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-emergency-management-agency.
