Be disaster aware, take action to prepare!

When thinking of Sept. 11, what comes to mind?

Most people will say the tragic events that took place in 2001 with the World Trade Center attack, or even the Benghazi attack in 2012. These attacks had devastating effects on how we live our everyday lives, and brought about a need to reevaluate everyone's preparedness capabilities.

It's fitting that National Preparedness Month, established in 2004, takes place each September. The Federal Emergency Management Agency took the lead ensuring every year new themes and topics are brought forth to educate citizens in every aspect of emergency preparedness.  

The FEMA website states, "The goal of the campaign is to get the public involved and ultimately to increase levels of basic preparedness across the nation."  

This is done through various information outlets, public service announcements and social media campaigns designed to reach as many people as possible. People are encouraged to get involved in their communities and help get this essential information out. The more people and communities that are reached, the better they're prepared for the future.  

National Preparedness Month is the time of the year which gives the opportunity to stop and think about ways to improve emergency preparedness capabilities.  This year's motto is "Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare!"  

For more information, see www.ready.gov or www.beready.af.mil which provide numerous resources to help Airmen, civilians, families and friends prepare for disasters that may arise.