Red Cross has tips on getting a kit, making a plan, staying informed
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - The hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, requires all residents to be vigilant and prepared for the worst.
It's important to prepare individuals, families and communities before disaster strikes, so that everyone can learn ways to stay safe during the annual hurricane season.
The Red Cross readiness campaign focuses on three easy steps: get a kit, make a plan and be informed.
Aca,!AcFirst, get a kit.
Due to the isolation of Hawaii, the Red Cross encourages all families to be prepared with enough supplies for five to seven days.
Supplies should be kept in an easy-to-carry emergency preparedness kit that can be used at home or taken along in case of evacuation.
The kit should include emergency medications; nonperishable food; a manual can opener; one gallon of bottled water, per person, per day; a battery-powered radio; a flashlight and extra batteries; bedding; clothes; copies of important documents; cash; a first-aid kit; basic household tools; and other special items for infants, pets and elderly or disabled family members.
Aca,!AcThen make a plan.
Meet with all family members to make a plan and discuss how to prepare and respond to emergencies that are most likely to happen at home, school or work. Identify responsibilities for each member of the household and plan to work together as a team.
A family communications plan is also necessary; each household member should know how to reconnect with the family. Be sure to also make advance preparations for any pets or people with special health needs.
Prepare an evacuation plan that identifies two places to go if told to evacuate, one within and one outside the neighborhood, like a friend's home or a shelter.
Store all emergency information on a card that can fit into a wallet. The card should contain each household member's work, school and cell phone numbers.
In addition, this card should contain the two meeting places and a contact number for someone out of the state.
An out-of-state contact may be needed if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service during an emergency. Sometimes, sending a text message or calling long distance to this central contact person may be accomplished easier during an emergency.
Aca,!AcFinally, always stay informed of the current and future situation.
Get a good map and be familiar with the community's inundation zones. Listen to local media or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration broadcasts for the latest storm conditions.
If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. If evacuating to a Red Cross shelter, bring the family disaster supplies kit.
Keep listening to the radio for Civil Defense announcements that state which shelters are open.
If anyone relocates after a major disaster and has not been able to reconnect with family, he or she can register at www.redcross.org or call 866-GET-INFO (866-438-4636) to register on the "Safe and Well" website, which informs family and friends of whereabouts and reconnection plans.
For more information about hurricane preparedness, contact the Hawaii Chapter of the American Red Cross at 739-8114, or visit <a href="http://www.hawaiiredcross.org">www.hawaiiredcross.org</a>.
Emergency Shelters
At Schofield Barracks
Aca,!AcA Quad - 500th Military Intelligence Brigade
#1 Bldg. 130
#2 Bldg. 131
Location: Corner of Waianae and A roads
Housing Communities: Canby and Solomon
Aca,!AcB Quad - 2nd Brigade Combat Team
#3 Bldg. 155
#4 Bldg. 156
#5 Bldg. 157
#6 Bldg. 158
Location: Corner of Waianae Avenue and Jecelin Street
Housing Communities: Canby and Solomon
Aca,!AcC Quad - 3rd BCT
#7 Bldg. 355
#8 Bldg. 357
Location: Corner of Foote Avenue and Flagler Road
Housing Communities: Canby and Solomon
Aca,!AcD Quad - 3rd BCT
#13 Bldg. 550
#14 Bldg. 551
#15 Bldg. 552
#16 Bldg. 549
Location: Corner of Waianae Avenue and Heard Street
Housing Communities: Canby and Solomon
Aca,!AcF Quad - 3rd BCT
#17 Bldg. 649
#18 Bldg. 650
Location: Corner of Waianae Avenue and Lewis Street
Housing Communities: Hamilton I, II and Sante Fe
Aca,!Ac45th Sustainment Brigade
#22 Bldg. 881
Location: Corner of Cadet Sheridan and Menoher roads
Housing Communities: Hamilton I, II and Sante Fe
Aca,!Ac25th Special Troops Battalion
#24 Bldg. 3004
Location: Lyman Road
Housing Communities: Porter and Kalakaua
Aca,!Ac2nd BCT
#25 Bldg. 2086
#26 Bldg. 2087
Location: Corner of Flagler and Aleshire roads
Housing Communities: Porter and Kalakaua
Aca,!Ac2nd BCT
#27 Bldg. 2088
#28 Bldg. 2089
Location: Corner of Flagler and Aleshire roads
Housing Community: Solomon
At Wheeler Army Airfield
Aca,!Ac25th Combat Aviation Brigade
#1 Bldg. 844
Location: 1055 Santos Dumont Ave.
#2 Bldg. 835
Location: 1735 Wright Ave.
#3 Bldg. 100
Location: 400 Block Latchum Rd.
Housing Community: Wheeler
At Helemano Military Reservation
Aca,!Ac45th Sustainment Brigade
#1 Bldg. P1
Location: 173 Romero Rd.
#2 Bldg. 25
Location: 441 Romero Rd.
#3 Bldg. 300
Location: 100 Romero Rd.
Housing Community: Helemano
At Fort Shafter
Aca,!Ac500th Military Intelligence Brigade
#1 Bldg. 665
Location: Fitness Center
Housing Community: Aliamanu Military Reservation and Red Hill
Aca,!Ac94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command
#2 Bldg. 660
Location: Bowling Alley
Housing Community: AMR
Aca,!AcU. S. Army-Pacific Special Troops Battalion
#3 Bldg. 500
Location: Richardson Theatre
Housing Community: Red Hill
Aca,!Ac516th Signal Brigade
#4 Bldg. 1292
Location: Tunnel
Housing Communities: Fort Shafter and AMR Rim
At Tripler Army Medical Center
Aca,!AcTAMC
#5 Bldg. 300
Location: Fitness Center
Housing Communities: Tripler and AMR Rim
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