National Emergency Management Awareness Month is a nationwide initiative to highlight the role of emergency managers in protecting lives and property, and to help homeowners understand how preparedness connects to faster insurance recovery.
Why August Matters for California Homeowners and Communities
This August marks the first-ever National Emergency Management Awareness Month, launched by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) to recognize the professionals who help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
At Chris Faber Public Adjusters, we’ve spent decades helping Californians navigate the aftermath of wildfires, earthquakes, storms, and water damage. We know firsthand how critical it is to have coordinated, informed emergency management in place long before a claim ever needs to be filed.
That’s why we’re proud to support this nationwide effort to spotlight the vital role of emergency managers and help homeowners understand how emergency planning connects directly to insurance recovery and long-term resilience.
What Does Emergency Management Include?
Emergency management is more than disaster response. It’s the coordination of people, systems, and resources that helps protect lives, limit damage, and accelerate recovery. From evacuation planning and wildfire risk mitigation to emergency operations centers and public alerts, emergency managers are the ones behind the scenes making sure communities are ready when the unexpected happens.
To learn more, visit the Know Your Emergency Manager public awareness hub from IAEM.
Why Emergency Management Awareness Matters for California Property Owners
California residents face some of the most complex natural disaster risks in the country, including wildfires, earthquakes, winter storms, and flooding. As public adjusters, we often see:
- Insurance claims delayed due to missing documentation after evacuations
- Denials based on vague policy language or missed deadlines
- Homes underinsured for wildfire, smoke, or flood risk
When emergency management works well, it doesn’t just save lives. It helps homeowners prepare for a smoother recovery process by knowing what to document, who to contact, and how to act when every moment matters.
Think your insurance claim was unfairly delayed or denied?
If you’ve faced fire, water, or storm damage and were left with a denied, delayed, or underpaid claim, you may still have options. See how we help with denied insurance claims and get answers from experienced public adjusters who work only for the policyholder.
How Can You Get Involved in Emergency Preparedness?
This month, IAEM encourages professionals, community leaders, and residents to learn more about their local emergency management programs and take steps to improve preparedness. Here are a few ways to participate:
- Know who runs your Emergency Operations Center (EOC): Find your city or county’s EOC leadership through your local Office of Emergency Services.
- Download a fire or evacuation alert app: Try Watch Duty or Cal Fire’s Ready for Wildfire to stay informed.
- Create a home inventory: Use your phone to photograph key belongings and upload those images to a secure cloud service.
- Ask your city for more information: Many counties will allow residents to tour emergency facilities or attend preparedness briefings during August.
You can follow and share updates using the hashtags #EMAwarenessMonth and #KnowYourEmergencyManager.
Public Adjusters and Emergency Managers: Different Roles, Same Mission
While we serve different functions, both emergency managers and public adjusters work to protect people and property from the worst outcomes. Emergency managers focus on planning and response. Public adjusters focus on insurance recovery and financial protection.
Chris and Jo Faber have worked alongside first responders, mitigation teams, and homeowners across California’s hardest-hit regions. With over 50 years of combined experience and more than 40,000 claims handled, they know how crucial it is to plan ahead and advocate for your rights after disaster strikes.
FAQs
Q: What is National Emergency Management Awareness Month?
A: It’s an August initiative by IAEM to raise awareness about emergency preparedness and the role of emergency managers.
Q: How does emergency management help with insurance claims?
A: By organizing evacuation plans, documentation steps, and public alerts before a disaster, it helps homeowners file complete, timely claims.
Q: Who should I contact about emergency preparedness in my area?
A: Your city or county’s Office of Emergency Services or Emergency Operations Center.
Let’s take the next step together.
If your home or business has been impacted by disaster, or if you just want help understanding your insurance policy before the next emergency, we’re ready to help. Contact us today for a free claim review and get expert support from people who have handled more than 40,000 property damage claims across California.
