Disaster planning: Practice makes perfect Published Sept. 24, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The month of September has been all about education on disaster preparedness. Plans have been made and kits built, the last step is to practice, practice, practice. Plans should be made for both evacuation and sheltering in place scenarios, said Tech. Sgt. Danielle Clark, 99th Civil Engineer Squadron NCO in charge of emergency management operations. Emergency plans should include everyone in the household. Including children in the plans helps give them an idea on what would happen during a disaster and what their role would be. Speaking to small children about what an emergency is, where they need to go if separated and what they need to take with them will help them be less afraid if the time comes, said Clark. Older children can memorize evacuation plans and emergency contacts, and gather needed supplies either in the chosen shelter area or in a vehicle to evacuate. "Practice with your kids monthly," said Clark. "Make it fun like an obstacle course in the house to simulate an earthquake or time them on packing up a small backpack with supplies." Don't forget, pets are part of the household and also need to be included in family plans. "Bring pets' shot records and insurance cards if you have insurance on your pet," said Clark. Pets aren't the only ones who need important papers during evacuations. Keep any important paperwork, such as certified copies of birth certificates, social security cards, shot records, and high school diplomas in a well-known, accessible place, said Clark. Having everything accessible and plans practiced make things smoother when reacting in any emergency situation. "Practicing a plan is the key to a successful ending for any natural disaster," said Master Sgt. Howard Shelton, 99th CES Fire Protection Flight assistant chief of operations. "It should be exactly what you would do for a real-world situation." The goal of practicing a response to disasters is to get all family members familiar with the required steps to ensure the safety of everyone involved. "Practicing with kids can make reaction automatic and the situation won't be so scary," said Clark. "They are less likely to panic if the time comes." Practice will not only prepare families for reaction in a time of upheaval, but allow them to find each other if separated. If everyone knows what to do, where to go, and how to get there, there is little need to rely on cell phones if service is disrupted, said Clark. Plans, kits and practice are the key to being prepared for any disaster situation, but don't forget beyond the immediate emergency. "Afterward, you are not just trying to get settled, you should be planning for how to survive," said Clark. For more information on National Preparedness Month, plan guides or emergency kit lists, visit www.beready.af.mil or www.fema.gov.
