CE hosts emergency management awareness booth

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica Keith
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 17th Civil Engineer Squadron teamed up with San Angelo emergency management planning specialists to host an awareness booth in recognition of Emergency Management Awareness day Oct. 15, in front of the Base Exchange here.

The booth featured dozens of different informational pamphlets, handouts and guides as well as professionals from the city and the base, capable of answering any questions.
"Being prepared in the event of an emergency is extremely important," said Staff Sgt. Kevin Rodgers, emergency management. "You have to have knowledge, a plan and emergency supplies to keep you and your family as safe as possible if something terrible happens."

A good emergency kit should, at the very least, contain one gallon of water per person, per day, he added.

"A lot of people don't realize how quickly water alone can add up," he said. "If the drinking supply becomes contaminated, it could take days to be restored. That means a family of four would need a minimum of 12 gallons of fresh water."

A kit should also include nonperishable food, light source, knife or multi-tool, medicine information, extra of any prescription medications, blankets and items such as coloring books to occupy children. The general plan is to have enough supplies to last a family two to three days.

Teresa Covey, San Angelo Tom-Green County emergency management specialist has worked in emergency management for five years and said when she talks to people, she often discovers they are not prepared for an emergency even though they think they are.

"San Angelo works with Goodfellow for our emergency management program," she added. "We have a close relationship, so we were glad to come out when the base invited us."
Everyone in the family should know how to react in case of an emergency.

"It's all about having a plan that the whole family knows well," she said. "If cell phone towers are not working, how will the family find each other? Everyone needs to have a set location where the whole family will meet, such as a certain tree, a neighbor's house or somewhere else close by."

The most threatening natural disasters that occur in the west Texas area are: hail, floods, tornados and hurricane winds. For more information contact your unit safety representative.