Disaster preparation theme for month's observance

By Mr. Daniel James OBoyle (AMCOM)April 6, 2015

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Between 1900 and 2014, the U.S. experienced 38 earthquakes, 568 storms, and 166 floods. In 2012, the U.S. was struck by 936 tornadoes, causing about $1.6 bilion in damages. In 2013, there were more than 440 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,800... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
America's PrepareAthon 2015
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The Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) is participating in America's PrepareAthon in April. Throughout the month, the G3 Protection Division will share important information and tips to ensure Soldiers and civilians are prepared for the disasters they may encounter. Participation in America's PrepareAthon helps limit a disaster's impact on our mission, including loss of life, injury and disability, financial loss, property damage, and lost productivity from missed work.

America's PrepareAthon is a national, grassroots campaign to increase individual and community preparedness. It works to build a more resilient nation by increasing the number of individuals who: understand which disasters could happen in their community; know what to do to be safe and mitigate damage; take action to increase their preparedness; participate in community resilience planning.

According to Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) 2012 National Survey, 46 percent of respondents believed that a natural disaster will occur in their community; however, nearly 70 percent of Americans had not participated in a preparedness drill or exercise in their home, school, or workplace in the past two years. Despite an increase in weather-related disasters, only 39 percent of respondents have developed and discussed an emergency plan within their household.

The spring severe weather season is notorious for hail, wind and tornadoes in our area and we cannot afford to become complacent in our preparedness efforts. Our families and communities are counting on us to be self-reliant, flexible and capable of helping others who may need our assistance during a disaster.

AMCOM will participate in America's PrepareAthon by: posting weekly preparedness tips on Facebook and SharePoint, conducting unannounced fire drills, providing free preparedness pamphlets and handouts and displaying awareness posters in common areas. Our Spring 2015 theme is "Prepare Because You Care."

We encourage you to visit www.ready.gov/prepare to learn more about America's PrepareAthon and how to improve family, work, and community resilience. When people prepare and practice for an emergency in advance of the event, it makes a real difference in their ability to take immediate and informed action. This, in turn, enables them to recover more quickly. Children who have learned about emergency preparedness experience less anxiety during actual emergencies. The knowledge of what to do during an emergency helps them to act with confidence and empowers them to become active participants in emergency efforts.

For additional information contact the AMCOM EM COOP Office at 876-5662, 842-4821, or 842-7945.