  Further Ready Army news available at www.army.mil (key word Ready Army) Click on the links below to jump to specific articles. Newsroom National Preparedness Month and Ready Army What is it? What has the Army done? Ready Army is a comprehensive community awareness program educating the Army community about man-made and natural hazards and empowering Soldiers and families to take steps in advance of an emergency. To provide the best possible resources, the Army is the first service to partner with the Department of Homeland Security's national "ready" campaign, expanding the preparedness message to meet the unique needs of our Soldiers and Families stationed around the world. Preparedness outreach to Army families is led by protection personnel working in conjunction with local Army and community partners. Ready Army materials support local campaigns with checklists, fact sheets, posters, booklets, children's activities, press kits and multimedia resources. These materials cover 25 diverse man-made and natural threats, and provide information on requirements and resources specific to the Army (including the Army Disaster Personnel Accountability and Assessment System). What does the Army have
planned? Why is this important to the Army? FEMA: Best emergency response
is preparation
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Sept. 22, 2009)—As National Preparedness Month draws to a close, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency says the best way for Soldiers to contribute to emergency response is to prepare themselves and their families for disasters before they happen. "To be prepared and to respond effectively to a disaster, each of us has to take responsibility to do our part and make sure our families are ready and that we are prepared so that we can do our mission," said William Craig Fugate, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Fugate said there's several ways that families can be prepared for a disaster. A good starting point, he said, is reading either the FEMA Web site at www.ready.gov, or the Army Web site at www.ready.army.mil. Both Web sites highlight having effective family communication plans for times of disaster. "We have to make sure our plans, our communications plans, are in place, so that no matter where we are at, our family knows what the plan is and we are able to do the things we need to do as well as perform our functions when our country needs us," Fugate said. Plans should cover what happens if families are together when disaster strikes, and what should happen if families are not together—when parents are at work and kids are at school, for instance. "What happens if a disaster happens when you are deployed, you are at work, or you are on training?" Fugate asked. "Does your family know what to do? I think we tend to look at our families, that when a disaster strikes, we are going to be together—it may not be." Military families and military commanders must also work hand-in-hand with local civilian communities on emergency and disaster preparedness, Fugate said, because many times, military families are a part of the very communities they serve. "I think it is important that base commanders look at the threats in their communities, look at their community emergency management plan, and build that team between themselves and their civilian counterparts," Fugate said. "Our dependents and our families are not always on base—they oftentimes live in the communities we serve." When Soldiers have emergency plans in place for themselves and their families, they'll be more ready to participate in providing emergency support to their communities during floods, blizzards or other kinds of disasters that Army may be asked to provide support on, Fugate said. The military participates in disaster assistance in the United States through U.S. Northern Command, when called upon by FEMA to participate. "The Army is a key component of that," Fugate said. "The better prepared the base installations are, and the Soldiers that live in those communities are to take care of themselves and their families, but also support the local community, the better off we are to perform our primary missions." Face of Defense: Wounded Warrior Begins Second Career FORT RILEY, Kan.—A former Soldier who spent about 16 months in the warrior transition battalion here now looks forward to a rewarding career as an Army civilian. Former Army Capt. Erik Stewart advises other warriors in transition not to rush the process. "Make sure you're healthy and as whole as you can be," Stewart said. "It's all about your attitude. If you have a positive attitude and you work with the doctors, it goes well." Stewart, 38, from Wakefield, Kan., currently on leave, saw his Army career of more than 19 years officially end Nov. 18. He now has a promising future ahead of him working in the plans, mobilization, training and security directorate here as an emergency management specialist. Stewart uses his 15 years of experience as a military police officer and four years as an engineer in his new job. "There's some stuff I'm still learning, but the emergency management aspect of it, it works out," he said. The married father of four said he spent a lot of time looking before he landed the GS-12 civil service position. Learning to navigate the online civil service application process was tough, he acknowledged. "In the Army, you get orders [and] you show up," he said. "You don't have to bring your accomplishments with you. You don't have to worry about that in the military. That was stressful." His civilian job has him preparing emergency management plans and, if necessary, assisting in emergency response. He's in charge of Fort Riley's Ready Army program, currently concentrating on the post's management of H1N1 flu. Though he misses the Army's unit camaraderie, he said, working as a civilian has its advantages. "No more deployments, and no more alerts," he said. "[You] come home every weekend and every night." Stewart was wounded by a roadside bomb in the tenth month of his third deployment. For a while, he tried to tough it out, he said. "I got to where I was trying to get in and out of a vehicle and I couldn't do it, and I was in pain all the time - my back, my groin, my head and my arm," he said. "I was having trouble holding on to my rifle, and I couldn't wear my gear without my back or my groin hurting. I was having trouble concentrating." He was sent here through the Army's regional medical center at Landstuhl, Germany, and was assigned to the warrior transition battalion. "[I was] scared at first, because I've been doing this since high school," he said. "When I first got there, I was just going to appointments, and that was OK at first, because I had been gone for like 39 months with deployment, home, deployment, home. Then I realized I was bored; I needed to find something to do." He tried to take college classes, but ended up having to withdraw three times, he said, because he couldn't focus and study. Stewart completed an unpaid internship with a nature center and looked into a welding program at a technical college. His wife mentioned looking for a job on Fort Riley, so he began to learn about applying for civil service positions. Though he expected a long wait after he interviewed for his current position, he said, he was selected the following day, and he has been on the civilian payroll since September. He advises other warriors in transition to make a plan, including financial plans, for what they need to have and where they will be in three months and in five years. "They can't just [say], 'I'm going to get out and live at my folks' house', or 'I'm going to move home,'" he said. That's not a plan." But before they make plans for life after the Army, Stewart said, soldiers should first get all the help they need. "Don't get out just to get away from it all," he advised. Most importantly, he added, warriors in transition need to take a step back when everything seems overwhelming. "It's easy to get caught up in 'Woe is me,' and it's easy to go to the dark, depressed place," he said. "Take a big problem and break it down. It's like a wall, but if you take it down a brick at a time, eventually the wall's gone." Forging Ahead: 1-67 Soldiers Hone Their
Skills in Gauntlet II Exercise
FORT CARSON—Warhorse Soldiers quickly disembarked from the landing CH-47 Chinooks and moved into a simulated town in Iraq. Their mission: to work with Iraqi nationals in an attempt to seize a high value target. At the same time, Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Abrams tanks stormed over the ridgeline and formed a perimeter around the city. As the Soldiers began their search, they knew that they needed to put all their training to the test if they were going to capture their target and earn a passing grade. The 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment experienced this scenario as they participate in the Gauntlet II exercise here from March 2-21. The three-week event tests units from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division on their overall capabilities and prepares them for their upcoming exercise at the National Training Center, in Fort Irwin, Calif. Each unit is given an individual city and has to practice drills such as conducting a cordon and search, acquiring high value targets, working with Iraqi nationals and police, reacting to IEDs and responding to Iraqi media. "This is a great exercise," said Capt. Larry Brown, commander of Company A, 1-67AR. "This gets our heads and feet moving in the right direction." To help make the exercise more realistic, contracted Iraqis were brought in to serve as villagers and interpreters and other Warhorse Soldiers played the role of insurgents. "The Soldiers get to work with the Iraqis and interpreters, which gives them a better understanding of the culture they will face so it won't be as big of a culture shock once they get there," said Staff Sgt. John J. Fabrizi, an observer/controller at one of the sites. "It helps the leadership and the Soldiers get the training they need to be more prepared for Iraq." Fabrizi, who just returned from a deployment in December, said that coming out to help the Soldiers with tactics his unit learned while deployed gives valuable input toward the ever-changing conditions in Iraq. "This type of training helps get the Soldiers to think outside the box, instead of just relying on the basics," he said. Although these drills are new to most of the Soldiers involved, some just needed to be reminded to how to get the job done. Spc. Anthony Zamaniego, from Company B, 1-67AR and a veteran of two previous deployments, said that participating in this exercise just refreshes his memory. "It gets me back into that [deployment] mindset. The trainers
are playing their roles well," he said. "This training event will help prepare all of us for whatever is ahead. The Soldiers are outstanding. They have proven they can step up to the challenge and do a good job," Brown said. Ready Army: Hurricane
season is here, now is the time to prepare The 2009 Hurricane season began June 1 and lasts through Nov. 30 and forecasters at Colorado State University have predicted that 12 named tropical storms will form in the Atlantic Basin, which includes the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, with six developing into hurricanes and two becoming major hurricanes with winds faster than 110 mph. Federal, state and local emergency managers agree that now is the time to prepare. Ready Army means
prepare, plan and stay informed Get a kit, make a plan, be
informed Get a kit Suggested basic items: Make a plan When making a plan, consider the five W's: • What: Plan for all hazards that could affect your family, considering potential hazards and weather patterns in your region. Think through each possible emergency situation and determine how your family should respond. • Where: Think about all the places you and your family may be throughout the day, such as home, office, school and in transit. Establish meeting places and discuss situations to use them. • When: Because emergencies can happen at any time, make your family emergency plan immediately. Review the plan annually and whenever there are major changes in your family situation schedule or activities. • Why: Emergencies can be scary. By establishing and practicing a family emergency plan, you and your family are more likely to find each other quickly and help one another get through the emergency situation safely and with less worry. Practice your plan Practice gathering your emergency kit and important documents, communicating with one another and meeting at a designated place. Afterward, discuss the actions you took and how the plan would change in a different type of emergency. Be informed Notification and emergency actions Each year, averages of 11 tropical storms develop over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Many of these remain over the ocean and never impact the U.S. coastline. In an average, 3-year period, roughly five hurricanes strike the U.S. coastline anywhere from Texas to Maine. Of these, two are typically "major" or "intense" hurricanes - Category 3 or higher. Estimated hurricane damages by strength Category 1 Hurricane, winds 74 to 95 mph Category 2 Hurricane, winds 96 to 110 mph: Category 3 Hurricane, winds 111 to 130 mph Category 4 Hurricane, winds 131 to 155 mph Category 5 Hurricane, winds 156 mph and higher 2009 Hurricane names The names assigned for the 2009 Pacific hurricane season are Andres, Blanca, Carlos, Dolores, Enrique, Felicia, Guillermo, Hilda, Ignacio, Jimena, Kevin, Linda, Marty, Nora, Olaf, Patricia, Rick, Sandra, Terry, Vivian, Waldo, Xina, York and Zelda. (This information about Hurricane Preparedness was compiled from the Assistant Chief of Staff for Information Management's Ready Army Web site and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hurricane Center.) Commentary: Ready
Army takes daily preparation WASHINGTON (Army News Service, July 7, 2009)—As we approach the peak season for hurricanes and the anniversaries of both Hurricane Katrina and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, it is a good time to ask ourselves, "Am I as prepared as I can be for all potential hazards?" There is no time like the present to do the right thing for your family and make sure they are prepared for all the hazards they face. To help you, the Army launched its Ready Army Campaign in September of 2008 in conjunction with National Preparedness Month. Ready Army is designed to prepare the entire Army family for all potential hazards, both natural and man made. "At command and installation levels we're asking that public affairs offices partner with their emergency preparedness personnel, directors of plans, training, mobilization and security, first responders and family program personnel to promote this program," said Col. Jon Dahms, chief of planning support in Army public affairs. "This program will educate our families on disaster preparedness and motivate them to 'Get a Kit, Make a Plan and Be Informed,' as the program's motto encourages." Around the Army, garrisons are teaming with city leaders to develop emergency preparedness plans that mirror or integrate with the Ready Army concepts, said Dennis Bohannon, director of strategic communication for the Army chief of installation management. "Fort Hood and Killeen, Texas, are prime examples," Bohannon said. "On Fort Hood there is Ready Army. Outside the gates, there is Ready Killeen. The teaming effort has benefited the installation, the city, and more importantly, the families that live both on and off the installation. Nearly one million Ready Army products have already been shipped to installations at their request. It is an important program for them. The Army is committed to improving family readiness and providing our families a strong, supportive environment where they can thrive. Ready Army is one means of fulfilling that commitment." Everything an installation/organization needs to highlight the Ready Army program and help families prepare is available at the Ready Army website: http://www.ready.army.mil. In April, the Ready Army program launched the annual "Prepared Kids Competition" as part of its ongoing effort to encourage family preparedness planning. "To make sure families are involved, we are (providing) kids with some fun activities so that they talk to their parents," said James Platt, deputy chief of the Asymmetric Warfare Office's protection division. "It opens an avenue so they can talk to their parents and becomes the impetus for getting the program started in the family." "These children's activities and contests are excellent," said Bohannon. "They help create awareness for the program. But, being "ready" is serious business. It is not only the right thing to do, it is peace of mind in knowing what you and your family are going to do in an emergency," Bohannon said. Children and teens can submit such things as a poem or song lyrics they have written, a short video, a poster, T-shirt or bookmark design, a personal story of experiencing an emergency, an essay or creative novella, a 30-second public service announcement for radio or television, a preparedness game, a drawing, sculpture or musical piece; or as children at Fort Bliss, Texas, suggested, even computer software they have written. Entries can be uploaded via the Ready Army Web site. The Ready Army program will be the focus again this year during National Preparedness Month in September. "We want to emphasize to organizations and installations across the Army that preparedness applies to more than just the Soldier," Dahms said. "By providing the tools and knowledge our families require to be prepared for all hazards, we are not only improving the readiness of our Soldiers and their families, we will be more prepared as a nation to face the next natural or manmade disaster." Soldiers of all Army components, civilians and their family members should become familiar with the spectrum of possible dangers and learn how they will be notified about them. It is also important to give special consideration to local hazards such as hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, earthquakes or other extreme weather situations. Living abroad presents additional preparedness challenges and sometimes less familiar hazards like volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. While the potential threats can seem overwhelming, keep in mind that most of what should be contained in family emergency plans or put in emergency kits will be useful regardless of the hazard. Preparedness is a year-round effort that everyone can be a part of by remembering and acting on the three keys to being a Ready Army: Get a kit, make a plan and be informed. Getting a preparedness kit together Suggested basic items to consider for a home emergency kit: Additional items can be essential for those serving abroad: Many other items could prove helpful: Making a plan for your family Some emergencies require different responses than others, but a family communications procedure will be helpful in any case. Knowing how to keep in touch and find one another will help your family stay safe and cope with the confusion and fear that come when emergencies strike. Help your family be informed (Maj. Mark Martin writes for the Asymmetric Warfare Office) Army takes steps
in H1N1 prevention WASHINGTON (Army News Service, June 22, 2009) — The Army is currently taking steps to help prevent and stop the spread of the H1N1 virus for Soldiers at home and abroad. The Army has reported a total of 191 cases of the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, as of June 12. The military is actively pursuing vaccine production for both the regular and swine flu, according to Col. Jonathan Jaffin, director of Heath Policy and Services in the Army's Office of the Surgeon General. Soldiers will be vaccinated as soon as the medicines become available, he said during a Blogger's Roundtable Thursday. "There has been significant news coverage about the H1N1 virus, and the Army is taking it seriously," Jaffin said. "We want to illustrate why we feel like there is no cause for panic or alarm." Jaffin went on to state that all segments of the government, as well as international partners, are working together to stop the spread of the flu among members of the military. "The best treatment for the flu is prevention," Jaffin said. Steps for prevention include washing hands and limiting contact with infected persons, surfaces and objects like door knobs. Soldiers who feel symptoms of flu including dizziness, fatigue and fever should report sick call and stay at home, Jaffin said. "Their very nature is to come in and work when they aren't feeling well. We are reminding them if they have flu symptoms to stay home. They have a strong sense of duty that sometimes interferes with ability to stay home," Jaffin said. "That is one of the main things we emphasize with them." Soldiers afflicted with the flu can effectively treat symptoms with over-the-counter medication like Tamiflu. In order to decrease the chances of infection, all Soldiers are being screened for the flu before they travel overseas. No missions have been impacted by the virus as of yet, officials said. The DoD is working with the World Heath Organization's Emerging Illness Network and the Global Emerging Infection Surveillance, which is a DoD program, in assisting with the prevention and surveillance of the virus. Surgeon general:
No cause for alarm with flu outbreak
While emphasizing caution, the Surgeon General of the Army said there's no reason to be alarmed by the flu outbreak, because there are treatments available. "There is no cause for panic or alarm," wrote Lt. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker, U.S. Army surgeon general in his blog. "Antiviral drugs are available in the event you become ill; and there are preventive measures you can take to stay healthy." The Army Medical Command recommends avoiding those who already have the flu, and washing your hands often. Related Links WASHINGTON (Army News Service, April 28, 2009) -- While emphasizing caution, the surgeon general of the Army said there's no reason to be alarmed by the H1N1 flu outbreak. "It's important for you all to understand that there is no cause for panic or alarm," wrote Lt. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker, U.S. Army surgeon general in his blog. "Antiviral drugs are available in the event you become ill; and there are preventive measures you can take to stay healthy." The new strain of the flu virus has been confirmed in such places as Mexico, the United States, New Zealand, Canada, Spain and the United Kingdom. There have been deaths in Mexico. The H1N1 flu usually occurs in pigs, though certain strains can be passed to humans -- and from human to human. "The most recent cases ... appear to have the ability to be passed from person to person and have resulted in a number of cases in the United States as well as widespread disease in certain parts of Mexico," Schoomaker said. "It is likely that this ... flu will spread to many if not all parts of the United States." The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to other kinds of flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In some cases, there may also be vomiting and diarrhea. The H1N1 flu is passed from person to person much like other forms of the flu, Schoomaker said. "Most people catch (H1N1) flu the same way they catch the regular flu," he said. "You can catch (the) flu by coming in contact with droplets from infected people after they sneeze or cough. This can occur by being in the path of a sneeze or cough or touching something that has those droplets on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes." Medication like Tamiflu and Relenza can treat the flu, Schoomaker said. These medications are not available over the counter, however, but by doctor's prescription. "If you have (the) flu and need treatment, treatment should start within two days after you begin to feel sick," Schoomaker said. Those with chronic medical conditions are at risk for more severe illness from the H1N1 flu, he said. According to Schoomaker, neither the Army nor the overall military population are showing any unusual spike in illness that might indicate H1N1 flu. Additionally, the general said, he and other senior medical officials in the joint community are staying abreast of the issue in order to keep the force healthy. "Rest assured that my staff and I are working the ... flu issue closely with the Joint Staff surgeon, the assistant secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the other military services, Health and Human Services, and Centers for Disease Control and Preventive Medicine," Schoomaker said. Deployed service members are at no increased risk of infection, according to information released by the Surgeon General's Office. The Army Medical Command recommends Soldiers and their families avoid contracting the ... flu by avoiding those who already have the flu, and by washing their hands often. "If you think you have (the) flu, contact your health care provider. He or she will be able to determine if you need testing or treatment," Schoomaker said. Kids encouraged to participate in disaster preparedness Related Link
"Now is the time to make your plan if you don't have one, or rehearse your old plan," said Jim Platt, deputy director of the Army Protection Division. "And to make sure you've got everything in your kit you need and most importantly to double-check your evacuation route so your family knows where to go -- and not just from your home." Ensuring families are prepared for emergencies is one of the roles of the Army Protection Division, and it does so through the Ready Army program. 'We realize preparing for an emergency is the responsibility for every Soldier, family member, Department of the Army civilian and contractor," said Jim Platt. "So we want to make sure in the 'Ready Army' program we give them the tools they need to get prepared, to make a kit, and to survive any emergency." The Ready Army program, which began in September 2008, is designed to prepare the entire Army family at installations and communities across the nation and around the world for all potential hazards, natural and man made. This year, the Ready Army program is sponsoring a new program, "Prepared Kids," the aim of which is to get younger family members involved in the discussion about how to be ready for disasters. "To make sure families are involved we are (providing) the kids with some fun activities to get them involved so that they talk to their parents," Platt said. "It opens an avenue so they can talk to their parents and become the impetus for getting the program started." This year, kids aged 7-18 can participate in the Prepared Kids Competition. The idea is for Army children and teens to share their ideas for preparing for emergencies by creating individual works that highlight preparedness. Children and teens can submit such things as a poem or song lyrics they have written, a short video, a poster, T-shirt or bookmark design, a personal story of experiencing an emergency, an essay or creative novella, a 30-second public service announcement for radio or television, a preparedness game, a drawing, sculpture or musical piece; or even computer software they have written. "Anywhere their imagination takes them, they can use to submit to the program, with the intent of helping other kids get ready," Platt said. "When you get the kids involved in this, it opens up a dialogue with parents and gets parents thinking about readiness." Being prepared for an emergency such as a hurricane, a flood, a fire or a tornado means planning as a family, Platt said. Families must have the tools ready if an emergency happens, having everyone know what the plan is, and having everyone well-versed in how to execute that plan. "If all the families out there take our advice, get a kit, get prepared and rehearse a plan -- then we have done our job," Platt said. "Then, when a Soldier is deployed, they won't be worried about their families being able to survive in an incident." Platt said that family readiness for emergencies is important to Army readiness, because a deployed Soldier worried about his family back home might not have his mind on the mission. "The worst-case scenario is we have a hurricane come in and it comes to one of our bases and we have a brigade combat team from that base that is deployed, and now that Soldier is sitting in Fallujah wondering if their family is okay," Platt said. "If before they left, they went through the rehearsals, then they know their family knows how to get out of the area and knows where to go -- it will take a lot off their minds and allow them to concentrate on what is happening where they are." More information on the "Ready Army" and the Prepared Kids competition be found at http://ready.army.mil. Winners will be announced in September and will be recognized for their contributions as well as have their winning submission featured on the Ready Army Web site. Note: Winning entries will become a part of the Ready Army campaign. Ready Army Week promotes readiness
The Ready Army campaign encourages people to get a kit, make a plan and be informed, and is designed to help people answer these questions before the situation occurs. During the week of Oct. 27 through 31, different activities throughout Fort Riley helped promote Ready Army. "It's just to raise awareness on what things people should think about before something happens," said Ward Philips, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security. "Get a kit together so if you are stuck in your house without services you have some things already there to get through it, or you have a kit to throw in your car to take somewhere if you have to go somewhere for shelter or to a friend's." Materials also were handed out at the different schools on post during Ready Army Week. The materials included different activities to help teach children how to be safe before and during severe weather. "I think the biggest advantage of targeting the kids is they are going to bug their parents about stuff - 'How come we don't have a kit? They said we have to have a kit,'" Philips said. "Kids are kind of like that. If they start thinking about something then they are going to go home and tell their mom and dad, 'We aren't doing this. We need to do this; they said it's important.' Whereas, if the parents are busy, it is easier for them to justify avoiding doing something extra because everyone is too busy." During Ready Army Week, the Post Exchange had home emergency kits available for purchase. If someone was not able to purchase the kit during Ready Army Week, they can still find the items to fill a kit at the store. Items that are recommended for kits can be found at the Ready Army Web site www.riley.army.mil/areainfo/readyarmy.aspx. Other information about making a Family emergency plan and staying informed during severe weather also is available on the site. The goal of Ready Army is to help keep every person affiliated with Fort Riley safe during severe weather. On Oct. 31 every person who entered post was given a Fort Riley Ready Army tri-fold brochure, Philips said. "It's for anyone who works or lives on post," Philips said. "We are going to make sure everyone who comes to work on Fort Riley is going to get a copy of (the brochure) when they come in. They can take that home and hopefully read through it and think about some of these things." Even after Ready Army Week is over, Philips said, they will continue to inform people about how to stay safe during severe whether. "We will have another Winter Weather Awareness Week. Again, we want that to be annual, sometime in the September or October timeframe," Philips said. "We are serious about our responsibility to help with that preparation." Rucker
community teams to prepare Families
FORT RUCKER, Ala.— The truth is, according to Council for Excellence in Government and the American Red Cross, most families are no more prepared for a natural or man-made disaster today than they were before Hurricane Katrina destroyed the city of New Orleans, or the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers Sept. 11, 2001. While hurricane season runs from June through November each year, if history has taught us anything, it's that disaster knows no season. The Homeland Security Department has designated September as National Preparedness Month, and in tandem, the Army has created "Ready Army," a program focused on educating and informing the Total Army Family by providing emergency preparedness tools throughout the month. Although Ready Army formalizes an emergency preparedness program, the Fort Rucker command has proactively practiced similar principles for some time, according to Installation Operations Center (IOC) Officer Maj. Michael Hughes. "Prior to this formalized campaign, Fort Rucker leaders have engaged in steps to improve awareness and educate personnel through briefings, hurricane preparation programming on Channel 6, the post e-mail system, Web page and AM 1640 radio. Picerne Military Housing has also been proactive by informing residents through its widely distributed newsletters," Hughes said. As Fort Rucker's information hub for up-to-the-minute severe weather and other emergency information, the IOC continuously monitors local conditions and uses the post information distribution tools to update the community on area severe weather conditions and other pending disaster information. "The Ready Army program simply provides additional tools to help our Soldiers and their Families become Army Strong in the face of unplanned emergencies," Hughes added. Besides the IOC, the Fort Rucker command offers community members a variety of emergency preparedness resources at the Ready Army page on the post Internet Website at rucker.army.mil, The site posts up-to-the-minute weather information, educational games and exercises for kids, emergency preparedness tools, including local county emergency contact phone numbers and how to prepare emergency kits and family emergency plans. In addition, the page lists upcoming workshops and events that will enhance preparedness plan execution. The garrison command has also provided Picerne Military Housing neighborhood offices with a variety of Ready Army emergency information brochures and kids' worksheets aimed at teaching and educating Family members about how to prepare for the unexpected. To maximize program exposure and education opportunities, the command is using established programs and organizations to promote Ready Army principles. Garrison Deputy Commander, George Steuber said, "Post chaplains, commissary, AAFES, Army Community Service, Department of Public Safety, Directorate of Morale, Welfare and Recreation, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers and others are teaming to dedicate resources in support of our community and execute the Ready Army campaign." "Fort Rucker experienced the effects of a major disaster when a deadly tornado destroyed parts of our neighboring Enterprise community in March 2007, so we all know first-hand the need to prepare for the unexpected, regardless of the time of year. With that in mind, we will continue to keep emergency preparedness visible by continuing the Ready Army program on a permanent basis," Steuber said. Be sure to complete your Family Emergency Kit and visit the Ready Army booth at events throughout the year. Those who complete their emergency plans and bring them to the booth will receive a Ready Army gift to complement their emergency kits. To explore ways your unit or organization can help the Fort Rucker community become better prepared in the face of natural or man-made disaster through the Ready Army program, call the Public Affairs Office Command Information Officer at 255-1239. To download emergency preparedness information and tools, visit rucker.army.mil and click on the Ready Army link. Ready Army: Kids Fire Academy teaches youth hands-on safety
Knowing how to be safe doesn't have an age requirement, as shown at the 2nd annual Kids Fire Academy, held Oct. 11 at the post Fire Department. The academy had two sessions, with a total of 30 children attending. The kids were given hands-on classes to learn about firefighters and what they do to protect people in a fire. "The idea of the program is to give kids age 6 to 13 a glimpse of what it is like to be a firefighter, by participating in a number of tasks that firefighters would perform at an emergency scene," said Chief Michael Cain, Carlisle Barracks Fire Department Station Chief. "It differs from the traditional fire prevention program in that it gives the kids a hands-on, interactive activity." The kids got to see a fire truck and the tools it carries up close, and try on the protective clothing and equipment that firefighters must wear. They also learned how to use a fire extinguisher and put out a vehicle fire. The most popular event was the search and rescue mission. Cain and fire fighter/emergency medical technician Jeannine Lafranchise taught the kids the basics of searching a building for people, and then crawled through a maze blind-folded searching for a baby. They worked in teams of two, following a hose through the maze and maneuvering around and through obstacles. While the search and rescue was the most exciting portion of the class, the kids seemed to like all of it. "I can't pick a favorite part," said nine-year-old Ellie Knutson. "I liked all of it!" At the end of the session, each child was given a junior firefighter certificate signed by the Director of Emergency Services and the Fire Chief. Ready Army Soldiers, Civilians stick to financial plan
FORT MCPHERSON, Ga.—The Tuesday morning Atlanta Journal-Constitution's
front-page headline, in bold letters and a font size usually
reserved for a declaration of war, announced, "Bailout plan
fails; Dow plummets 777." But after the markets opened,
an online Associated Press (AP) article headline read, "Stocks
jump after steep sell-off; key rate rises." Civilians under FERS (Federal Employees Retirement System) have a more limited,
defined benefit program, with the opportunity for an agency match of up to 5
percent for their personal contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The
TSP is comprised of government securities and index funds. The index funds involve
some risk, but are widely diversified to minimize the threats of loss. Stewart-Hunter signs 'Ready Army' Proclamation
Ready Army Launches at Fort Sam
'Ready Army' campaign begins
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Sept. 2, 2008)—The Army launched
the "Ready Army" campaign Sept. 2, in conjunction with
the Department of Homeland Security's National Preparedness Month,
which encompasses the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks
of Sept. 11, 2001. Materials being sent to installations include an implementation guide, public
service announcements, briefings, brochures, posters, emergency management kit
information and readiness checklists, family emergency management planning templates,
an electronic media kit, children's activities, parent/teacher resource guide
and web-based tools. Preparedness
campaign rolling out just in time
Tropical Storm Fay underscores need for 'Ready Army'
initiative
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Aug. 21, 2008)—Just as Tropical
Storm Fay danced back and forth from Gulf Coast waters into Florida
communities—threatening to build to hurricane strength—some 100
attendees of the Army Emergency Management's annual workshop
for installation preparedness wrapped up their week-long meeting
in Tampa, Fla., and Army officials announced a new emergency-preparedness
initiative: Ready Army.
Readiness News
|
FORT RILEY, Kan.—Stranded on the side of the road
during a snow storm with a dead cell phone and no towns in sight
isn't a situation anyone wants to find them self in. If it did
happen, many questions might be running through the person's head.
What do I do now? How will I stay warm? Will anyone stop for me?
