September is National Preparedness Month

  • Published
  • By Jess Echerri
  • Air Force Civil Engineer Center Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  September is National Preparedness Month and Hanscom emergency managers are leading the way to ensure the base community is prepared to respond to emergencies and disasters, from natural disasters to those that are manmade. 

With a theme of "Don't wait. Communicate. Make your emergency plan today," this year's focus is on emergency planning, to include development of evacuation plans and family communication plans in the event of separation.

"Preparedness is the shared responsibility of our entire nation," said Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work. "Preparing individuals, families, components and installations for disasters and emergencies -- from flooding to an active shooter -- ensures the strength of our workforce and our ability to continue to safeguard U.S. security."

During the month, each week will be focused on planning for a specific hazard: flooding in week one, wildfires in week two, hurricanes in week three and power outages in week four. The month culminates in National PrepareAthon Day Sept. 30.

"As we saw last winter with record breaking snowfall, disasters and emergencies come in many forms," said Michael Kaiser, 66 ABG emergency manager. "Our team would like to help bring a greater awareness to the theme of this year's National Preparedness Month campaign: 'Don't wait, communicate. Make your emergency plans today.'"

The 66th Civil Engineering Division's Emergency Management Flight has scheduled an information booth at the Hanscom Exchange Sept. 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to help educate the community on preparedness issues.  Additionally, EM personnel are scheduled to attend a Hanscom Town Hall at the Minuteman Commons Sept. 9 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Also, during the month, members of the Emergency Management Flight will share preparedness information through the Hanscom Emergency Management Facebook group as well as through unit EM program representatives and liaisons.  

"It's important to have time set aside that focuses on preparedness because when people have the right information, they generally do the right thing when the real emergency happens," said James Martin, the emergency management education and training analyst in Air Force Civil Engineer Center Readiness Directorate. "It literally translates into saving lives."

To learn more about 2015 National Preparedness Month, visit www.READY.gov/September.

(Editor's note: 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs contributed to this article)