TL;DR: The City of Detroit asks households to use September's National Preparedness Month to write a Family Emergency Plan covering contacts, meeting places, supplies, alerts, fire safety, training and practice.
Detroit's September call to make a written plan
National Preparedness Month is observed each September to raise awareness about preparing for disasters and emergencies to help keep you, your family, and the community safe, according to the City of Detroit. The city published its Family Emergency Plan guidance on Sept. 22, 2026.
The city states that developing a Family Emergency Plan can substantially increase family emergency preparedness. The plan described by the city includes a communications sheet, an emergency supplies kit, family discussions about alerts and shelter, maintained fire-safety equipment, training, and regular practice.
Nationally, the 2026 observance uses the theme "Americans Stand Ready," according to GovInfo. GovInfo, which published its National Preparedness Month feature on Sept. 16, 2026, states the goal is to increase the number of individuals, families, and communities that engage in preparedness actions. It notes the Department of Homeland Security launched the National Ready Campaign in 2003 to promote preparedness through public involvement.
In Michigan, September is also recognized as Emergency Preparedness Month, according to FOX 2 Detroit. The station reported on Sept. 18, 2026 that Michigan State Police urges families to have an emergency preparedness plan and provides checklists of supplies and practices.
Build a Family Communications Plan sheet
The City of Detroit says a Family Emergency Plan should include a Family Communications Plan informational sheet. The sheet should list contact names and phone numbers for schools, caregivers, and workplaces.
It should also list emergency contacts and an emergency meeting place. It should include contact information for gas, water, and electric companies.
Medical details belong on the same sheet. The city lists doctor's office name and phone number, medical and dietary needs, and insurance company name, contact, and policy number. It also lists veterinarian contact information.
A Family Communications Plan template is available at Ready.gov, the city states. Households can find additional preparation information by visiting Ready.gov or detroitmi.gov/EMHS and searching emergency planning.
Michigan State Police offers parallel documentation advice, as reported by FOX 2 Detroit. The agency suggests sitting down with family members before an emergency to plan how members will contact each other, where to go for a meet-up location, and what members will do.
The state guidance calls for neighborhood and regional evacuation locations and plans on emergency cards for every family member. It also calls for an out-of-town contact with information on how to reach that person.
State guidance also calls for family-member information cards with phone numbers, Social Security Numbers, and medical information such as illnesses or prescriptions. Families should write down where members spend the most time, including work, school, and other frequented places. Schools, daycare providers, workplaces, and apartment buildings should all have site-specific emergency plans that families need to know, the state guidance states.
Stock water, food, power and first aid
The City of Detroit lists an Emergency Supplies Kit as the second part of the family plan. Water is listed as one gallon per person per day for several days.
Food is listed as at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food. The kit also includes a battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.
The city also lists a flashlight, first aid kit, extra batteries, and a manual can opener. It lists a cell phone with chargers and a backup battery. The city directs residents to its EMHS website for a complete list.
Michigan State Police guidance includes similar kit contents, as reported by FOX 2 Detroit. That list specifies one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation and at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food.
The state list includes a battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, with extra batteries for both. It includes a flashlight and extra batteries, a first aid kit, and a whistle to signal for help.
For households with an infant, the state list adds infant formula and diapers. For personal sanitation, it adds moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties. For shelter-in-place, it adds plastic sheeting and duct tape. For utilities, it adds a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities. It also adds a can opener for canned food and local maps.
Decide how you will get alerts
The City of Detroit asks families to discuss how to receive emergency alerts and warnings. The listed systems are Wireless Emergency Alerts, the Emergency Alert System, and Detroit Alerts 365 emergency notifications, for which residents can register.
Michigan State Police also advises signing up for local alerts, as reported by FOX 2 Detroit. That guidance further advises staying tuned to local radio and TV stations during and after an emergency and following the advice of trained professionals.
The state guidance advises remaining calm during and after an emergency because dangers may remain. It advises that unless told to evacuate, people should avoid driving to allow emergency vehicle access.
Pick tornado shelter and fire meeting spots
The City of Detroit asks families to identify a tornado shelter location in the residence and at school. Families should also select a home fire meeting spot described as a pre-chosen, safe outdoor spot.
Families should discuss how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity at the main switches. Children should be taught about calling 911.
The city also asks families to teach members how to use a fire extinguisher. It describes the P.A.S.S. technique as pulling the pin, aiming at the base of the fire, squeezing the lever slowly and evenly, and sweeping the nozzle side to side.
Maintain smoke alarms on a schedule
The Detroit Fire Department reminds residents to regularly check and maintain fire-safety equipment, the city states. Its reminder uses the phrase "Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery."
Removable smoke-alarm batteries should be changed once a year when clocks are changed in the fall. Batteries should also be replaced whenever a low-battery warning sounds.
Smoke alarms should be tested monthly. Alarms with sealed 10-year batteries do not require annual battery replacement. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.
Know your extinguisher type and limits
Extinguishers should be regularly inspected and kept accessible, charged, and free from damage, the city states. Extinguishers that have been used or damaged should be replaced or professionally serviced.
Disposable dry-chemical fire extinguishers commonly sold for household use must be replaced after use. The city states they cannot be recharged and should be replaced according to manufacturer instructions, and no later than 12 years from the manufacture date.
Rechargeable dry-chemical fire extinguishers typically have a metal valve assembly and can be professionally inspected, serviced, and recharged. The city states certain types require internal inspection every 6 years and hydrostatic testing every 12 years.
An extinguisher should only be used on a small, manageable fire when the user has a clear escape route. The city's instruction states that when in doubt, residents should get out safely and call 911.
Take free training and practice the plan
The City of Detroit lists training as part of the Family Emergency Plan. Community Emergency Response Team training is offered free quarterly by the Detroit Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
The city also lists Red Cross First Aid training and CPR and AED training. Families should regularly practice and become familiar with the components of the plan.
State guidance similarly calls for making a plan for household members and pets and building an emergency preparedness kit, as reported by FOX 2 Detroit. GovInfo states that prepared individuals and self-reliant households can bolster the work first responders perform on difficult response days.