Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle read three proclamations at the Sept. 15 Vancouver City Council meeting recognizing National Preparedness Month, Hispanic Heritage Month and a Week Without Driving.

For National Preparedness Month the mayor presented the proclamation to Scott Johnson of Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESSA) and Geraldine Royal, the city's general services director. Geraldine Royal said emergency management staffing in the city was adjusted in the 2025 biennium: the city's emergency management position was reduced from 1.0 full-time equivalent to 0.5 FTE while a 0.75 FTE municipal coordinator position at CRESSA for Vancouver was added, giving the city roughly 1.25 FTE focused on emergency preparedness in partnership with CRESSA. Royal summarized recent work that staff said advanced preparedness in 2025, including a citywide emergency management strategic plan, an update to the emergency operations plan, a multi-year training and exercise program, and expanded outreach to employees and the public. Scott Johnson noted community outreach totals and training: he said CRESSA and the municipal coordinator conducted 16 public outreach events in Vancouver so far this year in addition to 26 the previous year and that CRESSA runs four community emergency response team trainings each year, two in partnership with the Vancouver Fire Department.

The council then accepted a proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, 2025. Speakers representing the Hispanic community spoke about cultural contributions, economic participation, and the importance of language access and culturally competent services in city programs. Eric Estrada (identified in the record as a community speaker) and Eric Paulson participated in the ceremonial acknowledgement. Community speakers urged continued support for language access and programming.

The council also proclaimed Sept. 29'Oct. 5 as a Week Without Driving to encourage residents to experience the city's active, public and shared transportation options and to identify gaps in accessibility for people who cannot drive. Jerina Hatch, representing Community In Motion, and Jeananne Edwards, chair of the Transportation Mobility Commission and executive director of Community In Motion, urged residents to try alternatives to driving and to report what works and what does not. Olivia Khan, the city's transportation demand management planner, said the week began in Washington state and has spread nationally; she encouraged residents to share experiences and feedback with the city.

The proclamations were ceremonial recognitions; no council votes were required. City staff and partnering agencies said they will continue outreach tied to these initiatives and invited residents to participate in events and trainings the city and CRESSA are offering.