Emergencies affect hundreds of people every year. One may hit your installation and community and affect you and your Family. When emergencies occur, military and civilian organizations respond, but it takes time to mobilize, and they focus on the most critical needs first.
Ready Army seeks to inform the Army community of all hazards and to provide targeted preparedness information to Soldiers, their Families, Civilians and contractors worldwide.
Ready Army is the Army's proactive campaign to increase the resilience of the Army community and enhance the readiness of the force by informing Soldiers, their Families, Army Civilians and contractors of relevant hazards and encouraging them to Be Informed, Make a Plan, Build a Kit and Get Involved. Through outreach and education, Ready Army calls our Army community to action and aims to create a
culture of preparedness that will save lives and strengthen the nation.
Make a Plan!
Make and practice a Family emergency plan. Consider the range of potential emergencies and all the places you and your Family might be. Some emergencies require different responses than others, but a Family communications procedure will be helpful in any case. Knowing how to keep in touch and find one another will help your Family stay safe and cope with the confusion and fear that come when emergencies strike.
Build a Kit!
When disaster strikes, emergency responders address the most critical needs and may not be able to get to an area until it is deemed safe. While they work on behalf of the entire community, it is your responsibility to ensure your Family's well-being during times of crisis. Emergency kits are essential tools for meeting that challenge.
To prepare your Family for an emergency, get one or more emergency kits that include enough supplies to meet your essential needs (see list below-not all inclusive) for at least three days. Think reusable and multi-use. A metal bowl can do double duty as a cup and saucepan. A brightly colored poncho can be used as water repellent clothing, a marker and two together can create a temporary shelter. Keep a kit at home, and consider having kits in your car and at work. These kits will enable you and your family to respond to an emergency more quickly. Your various emergency kits will be useful whether you have to evacuate or shelter-in-place. Check with your local officials for any other specific items that should be included in your kit. Be sure to rotate your items periodically, ensuring nothing is expired when the need comes.
Get Involved!
The Army is joining the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency in "America's Prepareathon!" This is a nationwide, community-based campaign for action to increase emergency preparedness and community resilience. All individuals -- Soldiers, Families and Civilians -- play a pivotal role in our collective preparedness. We encourage everyone to pledge to prepare using the Army Ready tenets: be informed, make a plan, build a kit, and get involved.
Failure to prepare can put yourself, your Family and your property in jeopardy! It's up to you. Prepare strong.
Related Links:
National Preparedness Month Website
Joint Force Headquarters - National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington
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