WASHINGTON —The Army Reserve has been supporting the "Ready Army" campaign since its launch back in Sept. 2008, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security's National Preparedness Month. Now, two years later, it’s time to make sure our Army Reserve Soldiers and Family Members are prepared for the 9th annual National Preparedness Month by: Getting a Kit, Making a Plan and Being Informed!!
Ready Army was designed to prepare the entire Army family at installations and communities across the nation and around the world for all potential hazards, natural and manmade.
Training and support materials are available at installations across the Army and Army Reserve, including 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. The best resource for information on the Ready Army Campaign is available at the Ready Army Website: http://ready.army.mil.
"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 Public Affairs for the Army Reserve. "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," Dahms said.
Ready Army is a proactive campaign to prepare Soldiers, their Families, and Army civilians through information sharing about pertinent hazards and appropriate response actions. Part of the Ready Army message includes taking measures to avoid contamination and other hazards and developing a plan and kit in case an emergency does occur. Ready Army uses education and information sharing as a means to prepare the Army community for potential hazards and emergencies.
Why Is the Program Important?
Ready Army strengthens the Army community and increases the readiness of our forces. As the threat of global terrorism continues, our country faces the risk of nuclear, biological, and chemical strikes. The potential risk of natural disasters and disease spread is also prevalent. Already having an established plan before an emergency occurs is the key to successfully and safely prevailing after an emergency. Ready Army is designed to prepare the community for natural disasters, disease outbreak, manmade disasters, and terrorist attacks.
The Ready Army Plan
The campaign provides information on the appropriate actions before, during, and after an emergency with specific information about particular types of emergencies. Its message is to “get a kit, make a plan, and be informed.” These three steps outlined below will help ensure the Army community is prepared for any emergency.
Get a Kit
• Consider the basics of survival and also special needs
• Assemble emergency supplies in your home, car, and workplace
• Be ready in case you must evacuate quickly
Make a Plan
• Consider the range of possibilities and places you might be
• Plan reactions to various emergencies including evacuation routes and how to shelter-in-place
• Plan how your family can stay in touch
• Practice your plan
Be Informed
• Knowing what to do can make all the difference when seconds count
• Know what emergencies are most likely to affect you and your family
• Know the local emergency warning system in your area and what actions to take if there is an emergency
• Learn and practice first aid techniques
Another key part of National Preparedness Month will be the ongoing focus on the Army Disaster Personnel Accountability and Assessment System or ADPAAS, officials said, adding that this will be the official Army tool for personnel accountability in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
"Hurricane Katrina caught the services off guard with no real procedures in place to gain and maintain accountability of personnel and their family members," said Lt. Col. Trudy Leonard, chief of the Personnel Contingency Cell for the Army G-1.
ADPAAS was built based on a directive from the Department of Defense to address this issue. This Web-based tool allows Families to update information by using the internet or calling a toll-free number. In addition, ADPAAS will assist officials to determine the status of Army Families and then provide assistance as needed. For more information on ADPAAS, visit: adpaas.army.mil.
"The bottom line is that preparedness increases the resiliency of America's fighting forces and supports Soldiers who are forward-deployed," Leonard said. "We want our Soldiers downrange to feel comfortable that their Families are being taken care of at home."
