What does it mean to be “prepared” in Boulder County?

Hours before the Marshall Fire burnt through his neighborhood and minutes before calls to evacuate, KGNU volunteer John Kelin took this photo from his bedroom window. December 30, 2021.

September is National Preparedness Month. The annual outreach campaign led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency – more commonly known as FEMA – aims to promote family and community disaster planning year round.

This year’s theme is “Start a Conversation,” encouraging people to talk about preparedness and safety plans with their loved ones.

And what better way to start a conversation than through a call-in show on your local community radio station?

This morning on A Public Affair, we focused on Boulder County – what it means to be “prepared” here, how disasters have been managed in the past, and what officials are doing to keep up with the ever-growing need for resources in times of emergency.

KGNU’s Jackie Sedley was joined in studio by Monika Weber and Mike Chard from the Boulder Office of Disaster Management, as well as Sergeant Bryon Scott from Boulder Police Department.

To contact the Boulder Office of Disaster Management, sign up for emergency alerts, and more, head to boulderodm.gov.

Listen: