Portland Mayor Keith Wilson has designated September 2025 as Preparedness Month in an effort to encourage the city's residents to gear up for potential emergencies. The proclamation, which highlights the importance of community readiness, comes amid increased concerns over climate change impacts and the looming potential of a major earthquake from the Cascadia Subduction Zone.
According to a statement on the city's official website, Mayor Wilson acknowledges that "emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility," and that the city's preparedness is dependent not just on individuals but on every household, neighborhood, community, and organization. The proclamation points out the cumulative work of the Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) volunteers, who have logged over 17,000 hours in the current year alone, and 188,620 hours over the past five years, which is valued at over $6 million in 2025 dollars.
Wilson, who is also a NET volunteer, expressed his pride in being part of such an initiative. "NET volunteers embody the spirit of community resilience," he said, emphasizing their role in providing training and serving as trusted resources for the Portland community. In his proclamation, Wilson stresses the collective effort needed from the city's approximately 20 partner community-based organizations, which provide essential services during emergencies, such as opening spaces during extreme weather emergencies, as per the City of Portland.
All citizens of Portland are encouraged to take proactive steps towards disaster preparedness, including building an emergency kit and signing up for Public Alerts at publicalerts.org, "because being prepared saves lives," the City of Portland noted.
