ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ala. -- Does your organization have an all-hazards emergency plan' Does your family' For many, planning for an emergency or disaster isn't a priority.

According to the 2009 Citizen Corps National Survey, only 36 percent of individuals believed there was a high likelihood of a natural disaster to ever happen in their community. As a partner that heads the Installations Building Evacuation Coordinator/Building Marshal Warden program, I can attest that this number is very similar within our own organizations.

In many cases you may be your organizations first responder. You may be the one who initiates communication of an emergency. You even have a position in your buildings response, regardless if you are an employee, floor/area marshal warden, building marshal warden, building evacuation coordinator or the senior leader of an organization. You should be aware of the installation procedures found in the RIA Employee Emergency Guide and you should be more familiar with your own building/organizational emergency plans. The <a href="https://home.ria.army.mil/docs/ria_emergency_guide.doc" target="_blank">RIA Employee Emergency Guide</a> lays out responsibilities for senior leaders, building evacuation coordinators, building marshal wardens, floor/area marshal wardens and employees. Please review these responsibilities and understand what your responsibilities are. Participation in this program is essential in the Rock Island Arsenal's ability to respond appropriately to emergencies and will ensure an efficient installation response, proper communications, minimize confusion and ultimately save lives.

Building marshal wardens should be supervisors assigned by their senior leaders and should attend the monthly Building Evacuation Coordinator/Building Marshal Warden meetings held the last Tuesday of each month. The point of contact for this program is Brett VanScoy, assistant chief for fire prevention and protection at the Rock Island Arsenal Fire Department.

Also remember, you are also your family's first responder. As members of our families we need to take concrete steps to proactively plan and prepare for emergencies and disasters. Local, state, and national authorities are going to help, but they may not be able to get to you right away. We all need to be prepared for those first 72 hours before help can reach us.