Month focuses on national preparedness

By Ray Dunn (Fort Carson)September 4, 2014

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Although a specific figure could not be determined, it was estimated that 3,000 people lost their lives Sept. 11, 2001, as a result of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City.

Among this number were more than 2,600 people in the Twin Towers, including nearly 250 citizens from other countries. On the ground, some 400 emergency workers who responded to the scene were also victims. Excluding the hijackers, also lost were 246 U.S. citizens on four aircraft and at the Pentagon an additional 125 people, 55 of whom were military.

As most well remember, Sept. 11, 2001, was a day that not only shook the nation, but forever changed the way that we would live. As a result of the attacks, the largest federal government overhaul since 1947 took place with the formation of the Department of Homeland Security. Its 2004 budget of $36.2 billion has grown to a staggering 2015 budget of nearly $61 billion.

Within the last few years, the Fort Carson Type III Incident Management Team, comprised of volunteers from across garrison, has assisted the fire department in managing numerous wildland fires on the installation. Additionally, the U.S. Army Garrison team, coupled with the 4th Infantry Division, has provided critical support to the local community with personnel and equipment during the Waldo Canyon and Black Forest fires.

Emergency preparedness and response helps the nation prepare for, mitigate the risk of, respond to and recover frommajor domestic disasters, both naturaland manmade, including incidents of terrorism. Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, National Preparedness Month is a month-long federally recognized awareness campaign occurring every September to improve the preparedness of our nation.

To assist in these endeavors, the Fort Carson Office of Emergency Management/Force Protection, the Directorate of Emergency Services, Fort Carson Army Community Service and 4th Inf. Div. have planned a "Ready Army/Carson Ready" display to be held at the Exchange Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Fort Carson community is invited to stop by to receive community readiness information and see demon-strations presented by the Fort Carson Fire Department. The fire department will also have special operations emergency response displays and personnel at the site to answer questions.