September is National Preparedness Month

  • Published
  • By Daniel Jackson
  • 66th Civil Engineering Division
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  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.

Because of the success of last year’s national theme, “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today,” national organizers again selected that as this year’s theme.

Following that theme, Hanscom emergency management personnel suggest following these three steps:

Get A Kit

An emergency supply kit is a collection of items needed in the event of an emergency for up to 72 hours. An emergency supply kit should contain important items needed during an emergency, as travel may be restricted and stores may be closed or out of stock.

Make a Plan

Having a plan in advance will help ensure that all the members of a household—including children and people with disabilities—know how to reach each other and where to meet up in an emergency.

Stay Informed

Massachusetts has a variety of potential emergencies, so it is important to understand what actions to take before, during and after an emergency. Winter storms, tornadoes, earthquakes and hurricanes all have the potential to affect the state and knowing what to do is a great way to prepare.

Throughout September, the 66th Civil Engineering Division’s Readiness and Emergency Management Office will provide weekly themes through base email that will better prepare members of the community for natural or manmade disasters.

Those weekly themes are: make a family emergency communication plan in week one; getting involved in your community and planning with neighbors week two; take steps to prepare for a disaster week three; and National PrepareAthon Day week four.

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 emergency management program representatives and liaisons.

Visit www.ready.gov or www.beready.af.mil for information on general and specific preparedness actions.

Personel should also consider downloading the USAF Be Ready app, free for both Apple and Android devices. This mobile app provides emergency actions, family planning and kit building tools.

While September is National Preparedness Month, it is important to ensure that families are prepared throughout the year.

To learn more about 2016 National Preparedness Month, visit www.READY.gov/September.