WASHINGTON -- The spring America’s PrepareAthon! is upon us. It’s a time when the Nation is reminded that emergency preparedness is a community affair. Do you live in an earthquake zone, tornado alley, or an area prone to typhoons, floods or wildfires? If not these, most of us can recall a time when some natural disaster was a concern. We are witnesses to almost daily news of terrorism threats. It’s a time when the importance of emergency preparedness is at an all-time high, and everyone has a part to play. Throughout April and especially on the 30th, the Marine Corps encourages Marines, Civilian Marines, and families to learn about the hazards that could affect you and to take steps to prepare.
“The Marine Corps takes a 360° perspective on emergency preparedness, and Marines, Civilian Marines, and families are an important part of this cycle,” said Mark Brown, Emergency Management Section Head for MCICOM G-3 Installation Protection Branch. “Individual contributions to readiness at home support global operational force readiness, which in turn supports the readiness and resiliency of the Marine Corps community and the Nation.”
Mr. Brown relayed that during the month of April, the Marine Corps will conduct some of its annual exercises and training aboard installations worldwide to ensure that installations and their populations are prepared for those natural and manmade hazards that pose the greatest risk. These events integrate Installation Emergency Management, Operations and Training, First Responders, Public Affairs, and other components as well as community partners. A practiced and collaborative team, these partners can respond more quickly and effectively in an emergency. He points out, though, it is the Marine or family member who is on the front line at the point of impact and first to help those in the immediate affected area.
Brown said there are many ways you can take part in emergency preparedness during April’s America’s PrepareAthon! and throughout the year. One example is to take part in prevention by reporting suspicious activity through the Marine Corps’ Eagle Eyes program
www.usmceagleeyes.org. Another is to take steps to stay informed by registering in the Marine Corps’ Enterprise Mass Notification System (eMNS). Those with a NIPR computer can click on the purple globe in the lower right corner of the screen. Downloading and installing the AtHoc Notifier™ mobile app from their Apple App or Google Play stores⎯search for AtHoc, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) app are other avenues of receiving emergency alerts.
“We are also encouraging our Marines, Civilian Marines, and families to conduct emergency drills this month, to build and assess their emergency supply kits for the spring season, and to talk with neighbors about taking shared steps to get ready for a local hazard that could affect their neighborhood,” stated Brown. “Emergencies can come from any direction, but practicing what to do in advance makes you better prepared before, during, and after any emergency you may encounter.”
He also emphasized that Marines are more likely to maintain mission focus when they know their family members at home have support and are prepared for the unknown. The Marine Corps is developing a Ready Marine Corps program as a resource for the Marine Corps community. It is set to launch in September.
Lastly, Brown encouraged individuals and commands throughout the Marine Corps to have their acts of preparedness in April counted as part of the DoD-wide contribution to National Preparedness by registering their action at
www.ready.gov/prepare.
For more information, visit
www.ready.marines.mil.