Fort Campbell participates in PrepareAthon!

By Megan Locke Simpson, Fort Campbell CourierApril 10, 2015

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- Disasters and emergencies often come about with little to no warning. Because of the fast-paced and unexpected nature of such events, preparation is essential. That is why Fort Campbell is participating in America's PrepareAthon! -- a biannual campaign designed to increase community preparedness and resilience.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's campaign culminates April 30 with National PrepareAthon! Day. The campaign focuses on six specific hazards: earthquake, flood, hurricane, tornado, wildfire and winter storms. Most of these have the potential to affect Fort Campbell greatly.

Fort Campbell Emergency Management Specialist Jay Fangman explained the campaign "provides a recurring opportunity to learn more about the hazards that threaten our communities and to practice actions that will help them minimize vulnerabilities to disasters, including tornadoes, floods, earthquakes and winter storms."

Fort Campbell will participate in America's PrepareAthon! Day, April 30, by offering weather spotter training to select employees. This training helps to keep Fort Campbell a National Weather Service "Storm Ready" installation, Fangman said. The training is conducted by the National Weather Service out of Paducah, Ky. Organizations can sign up employees to attend the training through April 16. After that time, the remaining slots will be open to the public. For more information, call (270) 798-3847.

Soldiers, Family members, Veterans and civilians can learn more by visiting the U.S. Army Fort Campbell Facebook page throughout the month, Fangman said. He added that more information will be released on "how to prepare for emergencies, what hazards may occur in this area and [how] to rehearse emergency plans."

Two winter storms closed the post to all but essential personnel earlier this year, with slick roads and significant snowfall. Past tornadoes have caused damage on post, while another twister in 1999 ripped through Clarksville. Downtown Clarksville experienced flooding in 2010 that displaced people out of their homes and caused significant damage. Occurrences like these are likely to happen again in the future. Earthquakes are also a concern, with the New Madrid Fault Line west of the installation.

"Snow storms occur every year," Fangman said. "Major ice storms occur every five [to] 10 years."

Visit the Ready Army site (www.acsim.army.mil/readyarmy) for disaster preparation tips, where the military community is encouraged to "Be Informed, Make a Plan and Build a Kit." Downloadable resources are available at the site as well. More information can be found at www.defense.gov/prepare or www.ready.gov/prepare.

"Get a kit that can sustain your Family for 72 hours," Fangman said. "Have a plan -- develop a Family emergency plan and exercise that plan. Be informed [and] know where to get emergency warnings."

An emergency kit should include supplies such as water and nonperishable food, as well as flashlights, a battery-powered weather radio and first aid supplies. A Family emergency plan should include a contact person, as well as potential meeting places. The plan should include who, what, where, when and why, and it should be practiced twice a year.

The Fort Campbell community can work on being informed in case of an emergency by being aware of emergency warnings and alerts via weather radio, AtHoc or weather apps on smart phones, Fangman said. During the spring months, people should also take note of the difference between a tornado warning (a funnel cloud has been spotted) and a watch (a tornado is likely to develop).

Another National PrepareAthon! Day is planned for Sept. 30 in conjunction with National Preparedness Month.

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