An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Article Display

Joint base community should prepare for unexpected

  • Published
  • By Tim Larkin
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Emergency Management
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  September is National Preparedness Month and now is the time for joint base community members to prepare themselves and their loved ones for any emergency.

Emergencies can happen unexpectedly even in safe communities like this one. Across the county we've seen tornado outbreaks, river floods and flash flooding, earthquakes, hurricanes, and even water main breaks and power outages affecting millions of people for days at a time. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is not immune to severe weather, tropical storms and other natural disasters. Now is the time to prepare.

This NPM is a great time to prepare for going three days without electricity, water service, or access to a supermarket or local services. Follow these four steps:

1. Be informed: Free information from federal, state and local agencies is available to assist. There are several ways to find preparedness information to include:

 Access 'ready.gov' to learn what to do before, during and after an emergency.

 Contact the JB MDL emergency management office or a local emergency management agency to get essential information on specific hazards to the local area, ways to get information before and during an emergency, and how to sign up for emergency alerts.

 Contact a local emergency services and ask for a tour and information about preparedness.

2. Make a Plan: Discuss, agree on and document an emergency plan with loved ones. Don't forget to include an emergency communications plan. Work together with neighbors, colleagues, and others to build community resilience.

3. Build a Kit: Keep enough emergency supplies on hand for each house - water, non-perishable food, first aid kit, prescriptions, flashlight, battery-powered radio - for a checklist of supplies visit ready.gov.

4. Get Involved: There are many ways to get involved especially before a disaster occurs. The whole community can participate in programs and activities to make their families, homes, and communities safer from risks and threats. Community leaders agree the formula for ensuring a safer homeland consists of volunteers, a trained and informed public and increased support of emergency response agencies during disasters.

Police, fire and rescue may not always be able to reach victims quickly, especially if trees and power lines are down or if they're overwhelmed by demand volume following an emergency. The most important step to take in helping local responders is initially being able to take care of yourself and those in your care. The more people are prepared, the quicker the community can recover.

As FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate reminds us, "Individuals and families are the most important members of the nation's emergency management team. Being prepared can save precious time if there is a need to respond to an emergency." Contact JB MDL emergency management at 754-3731/6208 for more information on NPM. Visit ready.gov or call 800-BE-READY, 888-SE-LISTO, AND TTY 800-462-7585 for free information.