Airmen tour community for National Preparedness Month

Published Sept. 11, 2014
By Senior Airman Xavier Navarro
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AFB, N.D. -- In honor of Sept. 11, 2001, which highlighted the importance of being prepared, September was chosen as National Preparedness Month.

This year, the 319th Civil Engineer Squadron Readiness and Emergency Management Flight will visit various schools as well as the Base Exchange to demonstrate and display the response equipment and capabilities of Emergency Management.

National Preparedness Month was founded by the Department of Homeland Security with the goal of educate personnel to prepare for and respond to all types of emergencies such as natural disasters and potential major accidents.

The mission of the Air Force Emergency Management team is to provide installation emergency management and counter-chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear planning.

"Being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany these disasters," said Staff Sgt. Shaun Zinner, 319th CES NCO in charge of plans and operations.

"Knowing what to expect and how to prepare makes any crisis more manageable."

The Grand Forks AFB Emergency Management Department provides support during floods, tornadoes, and winter storms. Due to the base's close proximity to farming communities, there is a toxic chemicals threat also.

The Emergency Management Program has representatives from each unit to disseminate information to the base populous. They send out newsletters and information regarding all types of emergencies.

"We work with all emergency responders on base as well as local emergency management and fire department," said Zinner. "Our mission is essential as it ensures mission continuation through readiness in the event we are faced with natural disasters, enemy attacks, or major accidents."

Throughout the month of September, the purpose of EM is to educate the local community by visiting schools as they hand out pamphlets, goody bags and answering any questions people may have regarding emergency preparedness.

Emerado Elementary School is the first stop of the tour, followed by Larimore High School.

"I had fun! I got flashlights, pencils and a frisbee," said Lawrence Reents, a 5-year-old student from Emerado Elementary. "They talked about where to be safe during a tornado."