People are often unprepared when disaster strikes and many don't have the essential items that are needed to take care of their family until restoration of essential services. To help educate about what's needed during this time, September has been established as National Preparedness Month.
David Fusselman, a Fort Knox emergency management specialist, said the month is about making sure the community and Families are making an effort to prepare for a national disaster.
"(You) should collect enough supplies to last (at least) three days (such as) water, food (and items for a) basic kit. You (might) need medication (in your kit)."
Fusselman added that community preparedness establishes a buffer between the onset of the emergency and the re-establishment of essential and routine services by installation and civilian commercial providers.
Although preparing for an emergency doesn't take a lot of time or effort, Fusselman said it brings a peace of mind. He added there are three simple steps that can help the Family prepare for all hazards --build a kit, make a plan and be informed.
Fusselman suggested that a kit should be prepared at home and people should consider also having kits in their car and at work and have a portable version in their homes that's ready to take with them. The kits in the home should also at a minimum have a gallon of water per person per day.
When collecting items for the kit Fusselman pointed out that everyone should think about the season. If it's the winter things to include are blankets in case there is a power outage. If it's the summer a Family might want to include more than a gallon of water per person.
One of the most asked questions that Fusselman receives is about shelter. He said there are designated areas on the installation that will provide shelter during a disaster.
"We've identified facilities (that) have to have a generator, large parking area and food," explained Fusselman. "We just can't pick any building."
For example, during the 2009 ice storm Devers Middle School and Teen Center was used as a temporary shelter because it fit all of the criteria. It's a large building, has a large parking lot and it also provides an area for food preparation.
He added that advance preparations are important because when disaster strikes first responders are trying to save lives and if Families and individuals have prepared it maximizes resources.
Even though the installation has the ability to prepare for most weather disasters, Fusselman said there are instances when there won't be an advance warning such as an earthquake or train derailment.
"We can't mitigate those," he said. "We know when trains enter and leave the installation, (but) we don't have a lot of control over hazards (if there is an accident)."
But there are instances when the installation can prepare such as a tornado. He said each organization has a designated meeting area and if individuals are at home they should go into the interior room away from an exterior wall that doesn't have windows.
Another way of preparation is making sure the Family regularly practices the emergency plan. It's important that parents teach children what they might do as a Family in different emergency situations.
Fusselman said people need to be prepared and he likens it to crime prevention when communities have a neighborhood watch.
"(It's) the same thing with disaster preparedness," he said. "Put together a kit, have a plan (that's) all encompassing."
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