Austin Emergency Management Kicks Off National Preparedness Month with Community Events

Austin Emergency Management (AEM) is kicking off National Preparedness Month this September with two community events designed to make emergency preparedness easy, accessible and engaging for Central Texans.

From a night of baseball at Dell Diamond to AEM’s fifth annual Get Ready Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Fair, residents will have opportunities throughout September to meet local emergency management professionals and first responders, learn how to prepare for emergencies, and connect with resources to help keep their families and communities safe.

“Preparedness doesn’t have to be complicated, and you don’t have to do it all at once,” said AEM Director Jim Redick. “National Preparedness Month is a great time to take simple steps to prepare yourself and your family. Make a plan, build a kit, know how you’ll stay informed and get to know the people and resources available in your community.”

Emergency Preparedness Night at Dell Diamond

AEM, the City of Round Rock, Williamson County and community partners will kick off National Preparedness Month with the first Emergency Preparedness Night at Dell Diamond on Wednesday, September 2.

Attendees can watch the Round Rock Express take on the Oklahoma City Comets, enjoy $1 Hot Dog Night and visit local emergency management departments and partners to learn how to prepare their homes, families, and communities for emergencies.

Event: Emergency Preparedness Night at Dell Diamond 
Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2026 
Time: Gates open at 6 p.m. 
Location: Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock, TX 78665

Preparedness partners will share information about how to plan for an emergency plan and what to do during one.

For more information about Emergency Preparedness Night, visit ReadyCentralTexas.org or roundrocktexas.gov/ready.

5th Annual Get Ready Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Fair

National Preparedness Month activities continue Friday, September 18, with AEM’s fifth annual Get Ready Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Fair at Austin Community College Eastview Campus.

The free, family-friendly event brings together emergency management agencies, first responders and community partners to help attendees prepare for emergencies affecting their homes, families, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

Event: Get Ready Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Fair 
Date: Friday, September 18, 2026 
Time: 2-6 p.m. 
Location: ACC Eastview Campus, Building 8000, 3101 Webberville Rd., Austin, TX 78702

Attendees can:

• Learn how to make an emergency plan, build a kit, stay informed, and connect with neighbors.

• Meet local first responders, emergency management professionals, and community preparedness partners.

• Receive a basic emergency supply kit while supplies last, limited to one per household.

• Pick up AEM’s Neighborhood Preparedness Guide, available in six languages, to create a personalized emergency plan.

• Review and provide public comment on the City of Austin Basic Emergency Operations Plan.

• Participate in child-friendly preparedness activities and enjoy refreshments.

• Submit artwork for AEM’s annual Emergency Preparedness Calendar Artwork Contest, open to children in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Spanish and American Sign Language interpreters will be available on site for the fair. Other languages can be requested by contacting Austin 3-1-1 no later than five business days before the event.

Preparedness Fair partners include Austin 3-1-1, Austin Community College Emergency Management, Austin Energy, Austin Fire Department Wildfire Division, Austin Police Department, Austin Police Emergency Communications – 911, Austin Resource Recovery, Austin-Travis County EMS, Austin Water, Austin Watershed Protection Department, Deaf Link, FEMA, Travis County Office of Emergency Management and many more community organizations and agencies.

Get Ready During National Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month is recognized each September as an opportunity for individuals, families, and communities to take steps before an emergency happens. AEM encourages Central Texans to focus on four basic preparedness actions:

• Make a plan for what your household will do during an emergency.

• Build a kit with supplies your household may need.

• Know your neighbors and identify how you can help one another before, during and after an emergency.

• Stay informed by knowing where to find trusted emergency information and signing up for alerts.

For more information about National Preparedness Month, upcoming events and emergency preparedness resources, visit ReadyCentralTexas.org. 

 ###