USAG Wiesbaden — Wackernheim, Wiesbaden National Preparedness Month: Be smart, take part, prepare Do you know what to do if disaster strikes? How much drinking water do you have? What if the power goes out? Do you have enough non-perishable food to last at least a few days? September is National Preparedness Month, and when it comes to disasters, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Natural disasters are not common in Germany, but according to statistical data, the two most common disasters to affect Germany are floods and windstorms. In 2008, 12 people lost their lives to windstorm Emma that swept Hesse. Just last year, relentless late spring rain pelted Hesse and flooded rivers. Germany is well equipped with the resources to mitigate such hardships, but self-reliance can be key to survival until help arrives. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s “Ready” campaign offers these preparedness steps that can assist families with creating emergency plans and preparing for a wide range of natural and man-made disasters: a Get an emergency supply kit. When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it’s best to think first about the basics of survival, including fresh water, food, clean air and warmth.
Ready.gov provides a list of recommended items to include in a basic emergency supply kit. a Make a family emergency plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance for how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in different situations. a Be informed. There are important differences among potential emergencies that will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take. Learn about potential emergencies that could happen where you live and the appropriate way to respond to them. Learn about state and local government emergency plans. a Get involved. Organizations, families and individuals should take time to explore the many ways they can all contribute to creating more prepared and resilient communities. a Ready kids. Teach children how to be informed, prepared, plan for and react in emergency situations with tips and tools provided on the Ready website. Ready.gov also offers these tips for military families stationed overseas: R The emergency number is prob-
ably not 9-1-1 and may differ on and off the installation. You and your family should know the operable numbers. For an on-post emergency, dial: R Your emerMilitary Police: mil 114 or civ (0611) 705-114 gency kit should Ambulance or Fire: mil 117 or civ (0611) 705include some ad117 ditional items, such as passports, For an off-post emergency, dial: birth abroad cerGerman Police: 110 tificates for chilGerman Ambulance or Fire: 112 dren born overseas, cash in the Note that if you dial 112 or 110 from a cell or home local currency, a phone on post it will go to a German dispatcher. card with local translations of baNon-emergency lines: sic terms and an Military Police desk: mil 548-7777/7778/7779 electrical current civ (0611) 143-548-7777/7778/7779 converter. Fire Station: mil 337-5883/5315 R If you live civ (0611) 705-5883/5315 off post, learn a few key phrases in the host nation side the fence,” response (evacuations, language and get to know neighbors shelter instructions, etc.) will be led by who could alert you about an ongoing the local government. Cooperate with emergency. the host nation responders and follow R For an emergency that occurs “out- their instructions.
Emergency numbers
Warrant Officer 1 Troy Kaita of the 24th Military Intelligence Battalion, along with daughter Katelyn and son Noah, walk on the 12-kilometer trail at the WIWC event.
JOIN WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT® AND OUR NATION’S WOUNDED SERVICE MEMBERS FOR A COMMUNITY CYCLING EXPERIENCE.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2014
Wiesbaden welcomes American volksmarch club
0800 + Check-in Bostalsee, Am Seehafen 66625 Nohfelden-Bosen
Story and photo by Donald Seltzer
0945 + Opening Ceremony
Herald Union Volksmarch Writer
1000 + Ride Begins Community Picnic Following Ride Bring your own bike and gear. A helmet is required.
Register at soldierride.org/germany *There will be limited day-of registrations available on-site.
© 2014 Wounded Warrior Project, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Herald Union
The recently formed Wiesbaden International Wandering Club hosted its inaugural walk at nearby Wiesbaden-Delkenheim Sept. 6. More than 800 participants enjoyed trails of 5, 12 or 22 kilometers on a sunny, almost cloudless day. Vickie Southworth, WIWC vice president, said she was pleased with the turnout of Germans and Americans at the club’s first event and, more importantly, the numbers of Americans who were introduced to the sport. “We’ve had a lot of new walkers, first-time walkers today.”
She added one of her personal goals, and that of the club, “…is to bring the German and American communities together, and to encourage Americans particularly to participate in events with Germans, and to get out and see the real Germany, not just sightseeing spots, and volksmarching is a great way to do that.” Chaplain (Col.) Rod Lindsay, U.S. Army Europe command chaplain, walked 12 kilometers and summed up the morning’s experience with a passage from the book of Isaiah: “…they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they will walk and not grow weary; and they will run and not faint.”
The local German club, VSV Wiesbaden; the Ramstein Roadrunners club; and Stuttgart German-American Wandering Club provided assistance preparing and executing the walk. Community organizations Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, Sergeants Major Association, Kontakt Club, Hessen International Ski Club, Army Community Service, German Red Cross, and the Warrant Officers Association also lent a hand to facilitate GermanAmerican friendship. For more information on volksmarching in and around Wiesbaden, visit http://www. wiwc-volksmarching.de/.
Sept. 11, 2014......................................................................... www.wiesbaden.army.mil