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Are you prepared?

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kelsey Tucker
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Sept. 1 marks the beginning of National Preparedness Month in the United States.

This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”

“National Preparedness Month is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency within the Department of Homeland Security and runs throughout the month of September,” said Senior Airman Michaela Baker, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron operations emergency management journeyman. “NPM encourages Americans to take actions in preparation for potential emergency scenarios, whether it be a natural disaster or a terrorist attack at work, home or school.”

Each week of NPM has a different theme, such as preparing family and friends, as well as individual preparedness.

“Ready,” The Department of Homeland Security’s national public service advertising campaign, suggests that a disaster supply kit of basic household needs be prepared well in advance of an emergency.

According to “Ready,” “You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days.”

Because of South Carolina’s susceptibility to a large range of natural disasters, from extreme heat and floods to winter storms, it is wise to keep an emergency kit in multiple places such as cars and houses, said Baker.

An emergency, by its very nature, is an unexpected situation that poses an immediate threat. A prominent reminder of this fact is the historic flooding that happened just last October.

While the occurrence of an emergency cannot be foreseen, taking steps to be prepared is entirely possible – and the 20th CES emergency management flight wants to help Team Shaw get and stay ready.

Every Friday during the month of September, the emergency management flight will be at the Base Exchange from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. to provide information about NPM as well as what should be included in an emergency supply kit.

For more information about NPM and how to be emergency ready visit www.ready.gov; or download the Air Force Be Ready app for key resources, such as a list of the threat information contained in the AF Emergency Preparedness Guide and a functional and customizable emergency supply checklist.