Be smart, take part—America’s Spring PreparAthon!

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shandresha Mitchell
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Disasters can strike anytime, anyplace. Nearly every region of the country has experienced some form of an extreme weather event, to include the Tampa Bay Area. 

For this reason, thousands of individuals, organizations, schools, and local governments across the nation are actively participating in America's PrepareAthon, a movement to increase individual and community preparedness and resilience through hazard-specific drills, group discussions and exercises.

As with many life events, preparation is the key to success and preparing for disasters is a year-round responsibility.

Preparing and practicing for an emergency could increase your ability to take immediate and informed action when it matters most. This, in turn, enables you to recover more quickly. It's not a matter of if the next disaster will happen, but when.

Take action and prepare now. Simple steps such as having a discussion and/or conducting a quick drill can help determine what you need to do to be more prepared.

America's PrepareAthon is promoting 10 ways to participate in preparedness and is asking everyone to take action, be counted, and spread the word. Take at least one or more of the following actions:

1. Sign up for local alerts and warnings, download apps, and/or check access for wireless emergency alerts.

2. Develop and test emergency communications plans.

3. Assemble or update emergency supplies.

4. Learn about local hazards and conduct a drill to practice emergency response actions.

5. Participate in a preparedness discussion, training, or class.

6. Collect and safeguard critical documents.

7. Document property and obtain appropriate insurance for relevant hazards.

8. Make property improvements to reduce potential injury and property damage (mitigation).

9. Hold a scenario-based continuity of operations tabletop exercise for your organization.

10. Plan with neighbors to help each other and share resources.

Be smart, take part, and prepare for emergencies before they strike. For more information about the ways to participate and registering an action visit ready.gov/prepare.