Fort Benning Urges Community Readiness

FORT BENNING, Ga. — Though September is National Preparedness Month, Fort Benning emergency management officials urge Soldiers, Families, and civilian personnel to take proactive steps to safeguard their households against natural disasters and unexpected hazards by following the Army’s Ready Army program year-round.

“Being prepared isn’t just about knowing how to respond to an emergency,” said Karl Nagel, Fort Benning emergency manager. “In this region, severe weather like tornadoes and thunderstorms can develop rapidly. Preparedness means having the right processes and information in place ahead of time so when an emergency happens, we can respond quickly and effectively.”

To help the community prepare, emergency officials encourage everyone to follow the four core pillars of the Ready Army program: be informed, make a plan, build a kit, and get involved.

1. Be informed

Staying aware of rapidly changing weather conditions is critical, especially for personnel newly arriving from other regions who may be unfamiliar with local hazards.

“Fort Benning’s emergency operations staff are ready and prepared to activate at any time to manage an incident, coordinate resources, and keep our community informed,” said Nagel. “Keeping our community informed is one of our most important responsibilities.”

Fort Benning uses a comprehensive mass warning and notification system to alert the community during emergencies. Soldiers, spouses, and the civilian workforce are strongly encouraged to self-register for the Fort Benning alert warning system to ensure they receive real-time, life-saving updates. There are options to register using a Common Access Card (CAC) from a Department of War computer and those with a dependent identification card and access to commercial internet.

This includes:

• “Giant Voice,” an outdoor Mass Warning Notification System
• “Little Voice,” an indoor Mass Warning Notification System
• ALERT!, email and phone notification system, register here: ALERT! CAC | ALERT! Non-CAC
• NOAA Weather Radios, used by facilities and services operating outside typical business hours
• MyArmyPost App, an Army mobile app users can receive notifications, along with other community-wide resources. Download here: MAPA Android | MAPA Apple

2. Make a plan

Having an established, practiced plan is key to keeping families safe and connected when disaster strikes.

“Preparedness starts long before an emergency happens,” said Tina Sandell, Fort Benning emergency planning specialist. “While we can’t predict every emergency, we can prepare to respond.”

Emergency officials recommend households sit down together to discuss emergency protocols and design plans that address various scenarios:

• Meeting Places: Establish a predetermined location as a rally point in case family members become separated. Consider identifying a location nearby and outside the local area in case of a large emergency.
• Point of Contact: Choose an out-of-town relative or friend who can act as a single point of contact for everyone to check in with.
• Situational Protocols: Discuss what to do if an emergency happens while parents are at work, kids are at school, or family members are away from home.

3. Build a kit

Households should assemble one or more emergency supply kits designed to sustain all individuals and pets for at least 72 hours. These kits should be stored in accessible locations at home and in vehicles.

“It’s important to consider what you cannot do without,” said Sandell. “Things like medications or medical devices, and back up batteries or power banks.”

A basic 72-hour emergency kit should include:

• Water: At least one gallon per person per day for at least three days.
• Food: A three-day supply of nonperishable food that requires no cooking (e.g., energy bars, canned goods, freeze-dried or dehydrated foods) and a manual can opener.
• Medical Supplies: A first aid kit and essential prescription medications.
• Infant & Pet Needs: Formula, diapers, pet food, water, and pet documents.
• Tools & Electronics: A flashlight, NOAA battery-powered weather radio, battery-powered cellphone charger, and extra batteries.
• Sanitation: Moist towelettes, disinfectants, garbage bags, and a five-gallon bucket with plastic bags to serve as a portable toilet.
• Documents & Cash: Local maps, command reporting information, cash in small denominations, and important personal, financial, and insurance documents stored in watertight packaging.

4. Get involved

Emergency preparedness is a collective responsibility. Community members are encouraged to discuss emergency protocols with neighbors to foster mutual support.

Opportunities to foster this support could be:

• Attending monthly Community Information Exchange
• Linking with your housing community mayor or local community social media groups
• Sharing best practices with new neighbors

Ultimately, early planning makes all the difference when facing the unexpected. "It is better to have a plan and not need it, than need a plan and not have one," Sandell pointed out.