September is National Preparedness Month. This year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's theme for National Preparedness Month is "Don't Wait. Communicate; Make Your Emergency Plan Today."
The Army encourages everyone to join in the America's Prepareathon campaign by visiting the Ready Army website at www.acsim.army.mil/readyarmy.
The following information will help you take action, be counted and spread the word to support the Army's Emergency Management program and promote National Preparedness Month.
The Army's four preparedness tenets are:
• Be informed -- You should be familiar with the spectrum of possible dangers in your geographic area and in areas you and your family frequent.
Understand local mass warning systems and know how you will be notified about emergencies.
Know your evacuation routes and the locations of civilian shelters or safe havens. If you need to shelter in place, identify the challenges, limitations and specific needs of each family member.
• Make a plan -- Plan for emergency situations early and update existing plans with lessons learned after every incident.
Incorporate the geographic hazards and common local emergencies into the plan. Establish family communications procedures.
Practice your plan at least twice a year.
• Build a kit -- Emergency kits are essential to ensure your family's well-being during a crisis.
Prepare for emergencies by assembling at least one emergency kit for your home, including basic household items such as water, food, batteries and a radio.
Ensure you have enough supplies to last 72 hours.
Keep an emergency kit in your car.
Personnel stationed abroad should consider additional essential items.
• Get involved -- Make a difference in your community.
Identify and join disaster preparedness organizations, initiatives and opportunities within your community.
The end result of these actions should be a secure and resilient depot with the capabilities required to prepare for, mitigate, prevent, respond to and recover from the effect of natural, technological and terrorism hazards.
Every directorate, tenant organization and agency; every person who is part of the depot community should understand the key preparedness tenets and their roles and responsibilities.
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