JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The 11th Civil Engineer Squadron readiness and emergency managers educated Joint Base Andrews members on preparation for potential contingencies at the Base Exchange here, Sept. 22 to celebrate National Preparedness Month.
"This month is all about helping Joint Base Andrews and its surrounding areas understand the hazards of natural disasters but most importantly, be prepared if something was to ever happen,” said Senior Airman Cody Young, 11th CES emergency management operations journeyman.
Preparing the base and its members to take action in any situation, such as like natural disasters, active shooters and hazardous materials, is one of the core responsibilities of readiness and emergency managers.
The 11th CES readiness and emergency management flight was selected to be the spokesmen for the preparedness fair at the Pentagon for National Preparedness Month this September.
“It was a great opportunity for the 11th CES to build a partnership with the community,” said Staff Sgt. Shaun Ouellette, 11th CES readiness and emergency manager.
Events like these help Ouellete determine how members would react in a real world emergency.
This month the emergency managers showcased their message throughout the National Capital Region by having display booths at the Base Exchange, the JBA Air Show, the Department of State, and the Pentagon.
“What would you do in a natural disaster?” said Ouellette. “This is a question I regularly ask to ensure people have a plan.”
To stay prepared, service members can also download the Air Force “Be Ready” app on a smartphone. The app is the mobile version of the Air Force Emergency Preparedness Guide and provides key phone numbers, websites and family emergency plans.
“Simply having a plan can save so many lives, it’s imperative to have some type of plan and implement different procedures such as shelter and evacuation,” said Young. “If you help make a plan, you help to save a life.”