FORT BENNING, Ga., (Sept. 21, 2016) -- National Preparedness Month is in full swing and the theme for the week of Sept. 18 to Sept. 24 is Individual Preparedness, which stresses the importance of taking the necessary steps to prepare for an emergency situation before it occurs.
"The most important thing after people have made a plan is to practice it with their family to make sure they know where to go and what their part in their plan is," said Tina Sandell, operations specialist with Fort Benning Emergency Management. "We have plans in the Army, exercising and rehearsing them is critical to ensure everything is in place when a real event occurs."
Sandell emphasized that time is of the essence during an emergency situation and this is the time to react, not figure things out. Taking steps to prepare beforehand saves needed time that you don't have when a crisis strikes.
Once an individual has registered with the Fort Benning Alert/Warning System and made a plan, the next step that individuals can take to prepare for an emergency is to build an emergency supply kit that includes a first aid kit, flashlight, spare batteries, nonperishable food, medications, water and other items listed on the Ready Army website at http://www.acsim.army.mil/readyarmy.
Another step that individuals can take is to purchase a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio in order to receive emergency weather information, watches and warnings.
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