Gov. Bill Lee, TEMA Recognize Preparedness Month with ‘Ready to Recover’ Initiative
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) are recognizing September 2025 as Preparedness Month with a commitment to helping all Tennesseans become “Ready to Recover” from emergencies and disasters. This initiative reflects Tennessee’s mission to equip individuals, families, businesses, and communities with the tools they need to prepare for emergencies and recover stronger, with an emphasis on long-term resilience and financial preparedness.
“Preparedness Month is about more than weathering the storm – it's about ensuring Tennessee families, communities and businesses can recover and thrive,” said Gov. Lee. “I’m grateful that the Volunteer Spirit is alive and well across our state, and encourage all Tennesseans to plan ahead and build resilience now, so they’re ready to recover stronger after a disaster.”
National Preparedness Month, a component of the Ready Campaign spearheaded by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), reminds everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families, and their communities safe. This year, Tennessee is emphasizing the importance of planning not only for the immediate impacts of disasters, but also for what comes after.
“Being prepared isn’t just about getting through a disaster or emergency safely, it’s about recovering
afterward,” said TEMA Director Patrick C. Sheehan. “Recovery can take weeks, months, or years. Our goal is to empower individuals, families, and communities to prepare, respond, and bounce back stronger after disasters.”
Throughout September, TEMA is partnering with the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TN Chamber) to share tips and tools for becoming recovery-ready. Topics will include:
- Protecting important documents before a disaster
- Understanding insurance coverage for your home and belongings
- Building financial preparedness through savings and planning
- Knowing what assistance is available following a disaster
- Mental health, emotional recovery, and community resilience following an event
By helping residents prepare now, the state aims to shorten recovery timelines and strengthen overall resilience.
“As part of creating a preparedness plan, I urge Tennesseans to meet with a licensed insurance professional and evaluate their insurance needs - especially learning more about flood and earthquake insurance policies,” said TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. “Many people mistakenly believe that they'll be covered by their homeowners policy if they're flooded. A traditional homeowners policy will not cover the costs of rebuilding after a flood; only a flood insurance policy can help. A flood insurance policy can't stop a flood, but it can help you avoid a financial disaster.”
Prepared to Prevail: Why Preparedness is Good Business
TN Chamber will host a webinar on Wednesday, September 24 from 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. CT, focused on the critical importance of disaster preparedness and continuity planning for Tennessee businesses of all sizes.
“Prepared businesses not only recover more quickly, but they also play a critical role in helping their communities bounce back,” said Tennessee Chamber CEO Josh Brown. “At the Chamber, we’re committed to supporting preparedness efforts that protect jobs, operations, and the long-term strength of our economy.”
The webinar is free and open to the public, but you must register through this link for access.
ReadyTN Business
TEMA is launching the ReadyTN Business Program, a no-cost preparedness initiative to help businesses across all industries strengthen their readiness and resilience. The program features a digital toolkit available on the TEMA website, offering step-by-step guidance and resources.
While the program supports businesses in preparing for and recovering from hazards, it does not replace insurance or serve as a complete business continuity plan. Instead, it provides a strong starting point for organizations to begin building their emergency preparedness strategy.
Visit TEMA’s Ready to Recover website for more 2025 Preparedness Month information, events, and resources.
TEMA encourages all individuals and communities to take protective steps in readiness planning. More information on how to prepare for can be found at www.tn.gov/tema/prepare with resources such as a family communication plan template and a basic emergency supplies checklist.
####
About the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency: TEMA’s mission is to coordinate preparedness, response and recovery from man-made, natural and technological hazards in a professional and efficient manner in concert with our stakeholders. Follow TEMA on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and at tn.gov/tema.