Congratulations! You’ve made it to the final week of the "6 Weeks of Ready" campaign. Over the past several weeks, perhaps you’ve started to build a solid foundation — assembling your go kit, creating a communication plan, and learning how to stay safe during earthquakes and tsunamis.

This week is all about reflection, connection, and momentum. Preparedness doesn’t end here — it evolves. Let’s look at how you can stay ready and keep building resilience for yourself, your family, and your community.

Reflect on Your Progress

Take a few minutes to look back at what you’ve accomplished:

✅ Do you have a stocked and updated emergency kit?

✅ Does your family know the emergency plan and meeting spots?

✅ Have you practiced what to do during an earthquake or tsunami?

✅ Are you signed up for local alerts?

If you’ve answered “yes” to most or all of these, you’re ahead of the curve. If not — no worries. This is a journey, not a race. Go back to earlier weeks anytime to review or catch up.

Next Steps to Deepen Your Preparedness

Here are some meaningful ways to continue growing your readiness:

🔁 Update your emergency kit every 6 months. Swap out expired items and adjust for changing needs.

📅 Practice drills regularly. Try earthquake or evacuation drills with your family or neighbors.  If you participated in the Great Shakeout earlier this week, consider taking it one step further by participating in the "Great Camp-In" this weekend, where Oregonians are encouraged to spend the weekend relying on emergency resources as they would during a disaster.  It is a great way to test assumptions and try out what you think you have planned.

🧠 Learn new skills. Consider CPR training, basic first aid, becoming a Red Cross or HAM radio volunteer, or take a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) course.

📂 Store copies of vital documents. Both digitally and in your go bag.

🤝 Connect with Your Community

Preparedness is better together. Here’s how to stay connected:

📍 Find local emergency resources and volunteer opportunities.

📢 Talk with neighbors about making a shared plan.

🧓 Check in with elderly or at-risk community members.

🗓️ Attend local safety fairs, workshops, or community preparedness meetings.

🔐 Stay Informed

✅ Sign up for local alerts (text, app, or email).

📰 Follow your city or county’s emergency management page.

📲 Bookmark key emergency contacts and websites.

Beyond Preparedness Month: Maintenance, Management, and Momentum

Whether you’re new to preparedness or have been at it awhile, emergency preparedness isn’t a one-time task; it’s an ongoing habit that gets easier the more you practice. By taking steps to become prepared, you are keeping yourself and your community safer.  Here are some final thoughts about how to keep your preparedness journey going strong — by building habits, staying connected, and making readiness a regular part of everyday life.

1. Create a Preparedness Calendar Build a simple, recurring schedule to keep preparedness on your radar throughout the year. You can download a ready-made template or make one that fits your household’s needs. Some ideas:

• Monthly: Check your emergency alert subscriptions, replace used items in your go kit.
• Quarterly: Practice a home evacuation or earthquake drill.
• Biannually (Spring/Fall): Update emergency contacts, rotate food/water supplies, check insurance documents.
• Annually: Review your full emergency plan, restock your go bag, attend a preparedness workshop or fair.

2. Set Small, Achievable Goals Break preparedness into manageable goals you can check off over time. Track progress in a journal, notes app, or checklist — small wins build momentum. Examples:

• “Update my family communication plan by next weekend.”
• “Take a basic first aid class this month.”
• “Talk to three neighbors about sharing resources before winter.”
• “Buy a backup power bank by the end of the month.”

3. Use Reminders and Check-ins

• Set calendar reminders or phone alarms for key tasks (e.g., “rotate go kit snacks,” “review emergency plan”).
• Pair preparedness tasks with existing habits (e.g., “Check fire extinguisher every time we change the clocks”).

4. Make It a Family or Group Activity

• Assign everyone a role in emergency planning — kids can help pack go bags or learn how to text “I’m safe.”
• Turn drills into short games or challenges to keep kids engaged.
• Make it part of family meetings or neighborhood get-togethers.

5. Keep Learning Preparedness evolves. Keep yourself informed and engaged:

• Follow trusted emergency preparedness pages or newsletters.
• Subscribe to local hazard updates.
• Take a new course every year (first aid, fire extinguisher use, pet safety, etc.).

6. Create Visual Reminders

• Post a printed emergency plan where everyone can see it.
• Use stickers or labels on emergency supplies with expiration dates.
• Hang a small “Preparedness Checklist” on the fridge or pantry.

7. Join or Start a Preparedness Group Neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and places of worship often benefit from shared preparedness plans.

• Consider joining an existing neighborhood network or association — many throughout the region are already actively engaged in emergency preparedness and offer a great way to connect, share resources, and strengthen your community together.
• Join a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), become a HAM radio operator, or start a local initiative.
• Share progress and tips on social media or group chats.

8. Review/Consider Real Events Turn real-world events into learning opportunities. By combining practical scheduling tools with mindset shifts — like seeing preparedness as a regular part of life — people can stay engaged and ready without it feeling overwhelming. 
Anytime there's a nearby emergency, big storm, or public safety warning, ask:

• “What would we do if that happened here?”
• “Is our kit ready? Would we have what we need?”
• “What worked well? What needs improvement?”

Remember: Preparedness is a journey, not a destination. Each step forward makes a difference.

Thank you for your interest in preparing yourself, your family, and our communities. 

Stay ready, stay safe, and stay connected.