September is National Preparedness Month and this year's theme is "Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.” Ready.gov's National Preparedness Month page has social media graphics and a toolkit to help promote preparedness. Ready.gov itself has ample resources to help build kits, make plans, etc. and even has a section for youth called Ready Kids.

Additionally, the National Weather Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the CDC have pages with resources for National Preparedness Month.

In addition to National Preparedness Month, September is also Campus Fire Safety Month. Now that higher ed students have returned to campus and settled into their apartments, campus housing, or other rentals, it is important they understand fire safety. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), "From 2015-2019, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 3,840 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and other related properties. These fires caused annual averages of 29 civilian injuries and $11 million in direct property damage." The NFPA website shares safety tip sheets and infographics, as well as other fire safety resources. Additionally, the U.S. Fire Administration's Campus Fire Safety Outreach Materials page shares statistics and a digital media library to help promote and educate individuals on fire safety.

This is the last chance to register for Campus Threat Management: Special Issues and Applications" with Dr. Gene Deisinger on September 3rd at University of Illinois Chicago. This one-day workshop for institutions of higher education is for individuals who have completed previous behavioral threat assessment training. For more information and to register, click here.

This is the last chance to register for "Threat Assessment and Management in a Campus Setting" with Dr. Gene Deisinger on September 7-8 at Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL. This two-day workshop for institutions of higher education will help participants to better understand the dynamics of targeted violence and to develop and enhance strategies for early identification, assessment, and intervention with concerning situations. For more information and to register, click here.

Last Chance to Register! Earthquake Preparedness For Schools Class on September 8th 

This is the last chance to register for "Earthquake Preparedness for Schools" through the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center on September 8th from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm via Zoom. For more information and to register, click here.

The Illinois School and Campus Safety Program is pleased to announce an upcoming session of Developing Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) for Institutions of Higher Education is being held through the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center on September 16th from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm via Zoom. For more information and to register, click here.