National Preparedness Month: Get ready now Published Sept. 18, 2018 By Staff Sgt. Tyler Bisogno 60th Civil Engineer Squadron TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – September is National Preparedness Month and the 60th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Emergency Management Flight wants everyone at Travis Air Force Base, California, to be prepared for any disaster. “We are constantly being challenged by natural and man-made disasters,” said Senior Master Sgt. Ernie Rude, 60th CES Emergency Management Flight superintendent. “Being unprepared for a natural disaster is a critical mistake,” Rude added. “Especially if it’s something you knew was a hazard or threat. We need to elevate preparedness as a high priority in our lives.” National Preparedness Month offers an excellent opportunity to stress readiness, said Tech. Sgt. Casey Garwood, 60th CES Emergency Management NCO in charge. “It helps us understand the importance of being ready before disaster strikes,” said Garwood. “We need to ask, ‘Am I ready? Is my family ready for a disaster?’ This year's theme is ‘Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.’ Being prepared and learning lifesaving skills goes a long way toward employing mitigation actions when confronted with disaster.” The Travis Emergency Management team plans to pass out disaster preparedness guides, a variety of items for children and provide an example of a disaster kit Sept. 24 at the Base Exchange 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. California has experienced a variety of natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires and floods. The biggest fault line in the world, the San Andreas Fault, runs for about 800 miles just outside San Francisco. Many people may recall the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit San Francisco in 1989 and fortunately, another earthquake of that magnitude hasn’t occurred since, but it’s only a matter of time. California has had several high-magnitude earthquakes over the past 100 years. Failing to prepare for that critical moment when the ground starts shaking could place people in jeopardy. Making a preparedness kit is highly recommended. Kits can be catered to a specific type of disaster or be all-encompassing kits. Each kit must have food and water. When a disaster strikes, transportation routes could become cut off and it may be impossible to get to a supply store. According to the 60th CES Emergency Management Flight, each kit should have a gallon of water per person, per day and that water should be able to sustain those individuals for at least three days. Food should also be non-perishable, such as canned food or food that doesn’t require refrigeration. Ensure pets have the food, water and items they need to stay calm during an emergency. A preparedness kit should also be portable. Wildfires are all too common in California and they can move very fast. Having a bag with extra clothes, toiletries, money and medication ready to go will provide people with those precious extra minutes to gather important documents or family treasures before evacuating. Identifying a primary and secondary location to meet in case of separation is also highly recommended. The American Red Cross recommends kits also contain a first-aid kit, important documents, a flashlight, hand-cranked or battery powered radio, extra batteries, multi-purpose tool, hygiene items, money, blankets and maps of the area. For more information about disaster preparedness, contact the Travis Emergency Management office at 707-424-0263. Find them on Facebook at TravisCaEM3e9. More information can also be found by visiting at www.ready.gov/build-a-kit, www.fema.gov, www.beready.af.mil and www.earthquake,usgs.gov.