September 4, 2015 --
National Preparedness Month is underway and Steven Dancer,
installation emergency manager, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, is doing
his part to ensure everyone is ready for any type of disaster.
“Are you prepared for a disaster?” Dancer asked many
patrons at the Town and Country Restaurant, Sept. 1, and at the Commissary,
Sept. 2, as he manned a static display booth inside each facility.
Some people were able to answer Dancer quickly while it
took others a several seconds to think about their responses.
Dancer explained that “the displays are set up to assist
in helping everyone prepare for man-made/natural disasters. The first step is
to have a family emergency plan and the second step is to have a work emergency
plan. ‘Do you have a plan?’”
Another question he asked was, “How are you notified if
there is an emergency situation on base?”
Several people said they were receiving notifications via
text messages and emails, whereas others said they were not.
Dancer educated numerous base workers, spouses and
retirees about Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany’s mass notification system
including the giant voice and AtHoc.
He asked the patrons, while on base, to listen for
information being passed over the loud speakers and encouraged them to sign up
for AtHoc, a system used to send alerts using email and text messages.
Scott Dismuke, wildlife specialist, natural resources, Environmental
Branch, Installation and Environment Division, MCLB Albany, received a mass
notification procedures pamphlet from Dancer during lunch, Sept. 1.
Dismuke, who is new to the base, told Dancer that his job
requires him to be out of the office and away from a computer a majority of the
time.
“Being able to receive a message that there is an
emergency situation on base while out in the field is not only good for my
safety, but also those around me,” he said.
Several static display booths will be set up at various
locations including buildings 1221, 2200, 3500 and 3700. Information including how to prepare for
severe weather and how to build an emergency kit as well as the installation
mass notification system will be displayed at the booths.
To
register for AtHoc or for more information, call 229-639-5746.