Fort Huachuca's Denny L. Foulk, installation emergency manager, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobility and Security, and his puppy Gunner, demonstrate a 72-hour evacuation kit with emphasis on the 'Ps;' People, Pets, Personal Items, Prescriptions, Papers, and Precious or Priceless items during National Preparedness Month on Sept. 14, 2020, at Brown's Parade Field. National Preparedness Month is recognized annually in September to promote family and community disaster planning. (U.S. Army Photo by Karen Sampson) VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. – National Preparedness Month is recognized annually in September to promote family and community disaster planning. As our nation continues to respond to COVID-19, there is no better time for the community to be involved.
“Learn the types of emergencies likely to affect the area and update your emergency kit and plan to gather new materials if necessary,” said Denny L. Foulk, installation emergency manager, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobility and Security, here.
“Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control due to the [new] coronavirus [COVID-19].”
Foulk is Fort Huachuca’s key expert in emergency management. He has made emergency management and disaster recovery his career since 2003 and assisted communities in over 25 major disasters. He holds a Master of Science in emergency management and homeland security. He is a certified emergency manager from the International Association of Emergency Managers with a service history at the county and federal levels of government.
Knowledge and preparation lessens the impact disasters have on individuals and families. Knowing the risks in the local area, checking home and auto insurance coverages, and learning how to make homes stronger in the face of storms and other common hazards are important steps to being prepared.
Foulk’s end goal is enabling the installation community to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters and emergencies. The community needs to act fast after receiving a local warning or alert, he warned.
“Something as simple as communicating with your spouse can be difficult during a disaster,” Foulk said. “Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during and after a disaster.”
The emphasis on taking time to work through the logistics of an evacuation and developing a family plan is essential, he explained.
“Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or a pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly,” Foulk said. “Gather supplies that will last several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home.”
Foulk added that another way to prioritize preparation plans is to ‘remember the Ps.’
•People
•Pets
•Personal Items
•Prescriptions
•Papers
•Precious or Priceless items
Organizing ‘go-bags’ containing necessities is “insurance” for individuals and families to enable a quick evacuation. Include children in this preparation.
“Take time to know and understand your environment,” Foulk said. “Think through the ‘what ifs.’
“Remember, all of your pets are family as well,” Foulk emphasizes.
“Have a plan, and ensure your family knows and understands the plan.”
In case of disrupted cellular service during an evacuation having a predetermined meeting point outside the family home can ensure a family stays together and saves lives.
“Take advantage of National Preparedness Month as this time provides us an opportunity and gives pause to focus on preparedness,” Foulk said.
Military installations have an emergency management program which provides educational materials to the community. Preparedness websites contain checklists and ideas that can be adapted to various situations.
Find more at:
https://www.ready.gov/fr/considerations/military-family-preparedness
https://www.ready.gov/evacuation
https://www.dhs.gov/topic/disasters
https://www.fema.gov/disasters
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Fort Huachuca is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM)/9th Army Signal Command and more than 48 supported tenants representing a diverse, multiservice population. Our unique environment encompasses 964 square miles of restricted airspace and 2,500 square miles of protected electronic ranges, key components to the national defense mission.
Located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles north of the border with Mexico, Fort Huachuca is an Army installation with a rich frontier history. Established in 1877, the Fort was declared a national landmark in 1976.
We are the Army’s Home. Learn more at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/
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