Be ready with National Preparedness Month

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matt Davis
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --  The clouds begin to turn grey and the wind picks up. A weather alert howls on the TV--your area is under a tornado warning, and you have moments to respond. Your family scrambles to the most protected part of the house. There you have supplies to weather the storm and recover when it's over. You breathe a sigh of relief, because you had planned for the worst.

"It is important to be prepared because disaster may strike at any time with little to no warning. Information is key," said 1st Lt. Colin Slade, 11th Mission Support Group Readiness and Emergency Management commander. "Ensuring your family knows what to do and where to go in a disaster is half the battle."

An emergency kit should contain such things as first aid supplies, enough food and water to last 72 hours, personal medications, radios and flashlights with batteries, printed maps or an atlas, and any other important documents, said Slade.

September is National Preparedness Month. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has coordinated with organizations and communities across the nation to help everyone be aware of the hazards in their area and how to prepare form them, said Allison Van Lare, Air Force District of Washington Emergency Management functional area manager.

"National Preparedness Month is designed to increase awareness of emergency preparedness resources and practices. There are numerous events occurring around the National Capital Region that are aimed to provide useful information to families on how to prepare for disasters," said Van Lare "The information is always readily available to Airmen and dependents, but the hope is that this month inspires people to re-assess and re-energize their family's readiness."

This month, Airmen can plan how to respond according to different types of emergencies. Localizing hazards that are close to where you live and work are just one of many steps taken to being prepared. Having to stay or leave an area can mean different preparations and specialized plans for Airmen with families.

Preparations will greatly increase your family's ability to survive a disaster and weather any storm, said Slade.

"You should not be asking these questions at the time of a disaster. It has been said that when the time to perform arrives, the time to prepare has passed," said Slade.

Training for these scenarios could potentially provide lifesaving skills to protect you and your family, according to www.Ready.gov.

"Being in the military, we understand the value in training and preparation is the heartbeat of the military," said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Timothy McKeithen, speaking on military family readiness in a video posted at www.ready.gov. "Being prepared and knowing what to do in a crisis makes all the difference in the world. It's your responsibility as a service member to ensure your family is ready and prepared for any crisis."

Some things to consider when preparing with your family are having a family communication plan, creating an emergency kit, and knowing local evacuation routes. Another good resource to help train and assist in relief efforts with your family is finding local volunteer opportunities.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency ends National Preparedness Month with "America's Prepare-athon!" This kicks off on September 30th with 50 states taking action to prepare their region for hazards they may encounter. Activities can range from community disaster exercises to a conversation with your family about having a plan.

To learn more about National Preparedness Month visit www.BeReady.af.mil and www.Ready.gov. For information concerning your region contact your local emergency management flight.