ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- September is National Preparedness Month and, as part of this campaign, the Arnold Engineering Development Complex Office of Emergency Management team wants to remind the AEDC workforce how important it is to be prepared in the event of an emergency.
In 2014, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, began National Preparedness Month as its annual national outreach, sponsored by its FEMA Ready Campaign. It is observed each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time.
The 2022 National Preparedness Month theme is, “A Lasting Legacy: The life you’ve built is worth protecting.” This is meant to encourage people to prepare for disasters to create a lasting legacy for themselves and their families.
According to James Dill, the installation emergency manager at Arnold Air Force Base, planning is crucial in keeping the people and facilities on base safe.
“Ninety-nine percent of our efforts are to ensure there is a viable and tested plan to respond, mitigate and recover from any and all situations,” Dill said. “This process includes collaborating with other AEDC organizations and inspector general. Checklists are developed and followed as a guideline in order to keep each organization on track.”
In addition to the workforce being prepared for an emergency that may occur on base, the AEDC Emergency Management team wants everyone to also be ready and equipped in case of an emergency when not at work.
Neil Felver, an Emergency Management specialist at Arnold, reminds AEDC personnel to have a plan in place at home in the event of an emergency situation.
“Before an emergency happens, be sure to sit down with your family and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go and what you will do in the event of an emergency,” Felver said.
Items to put on a home checklist may include the following: planning an escape route, staying in contact with family, shutting off utilities if needed, having insurance papers and other vital records on hand, reviewing safety skills, caring for any animals and assembling an emergency supply kit.
In the event that an Arnold employee witnesses or is involved in an emergency situation while at work, immediately dial 911 and advise that the emergency is on base.