The Waterline

Page 1

The Waterline

September 27, 2012

www.cnic.navy.mil/ndw

Vol. XXIX No.39 waterline@dcmilitary.com

www.facebook.com/NavDistWash

NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

Ready Navy: Preparedness Empowers You By Patrick Gordon, NDW Waterline writer In the event of an emergency, readiness can mean the difference between a swift response and a lengthy regret. Ready Navy, the U.S. Navy’s emergency preparedness program, is designed to increase the ability of Navy personnel and their families to better plan for and react to an emergency situation should it occur. According to the official Ready Navy website, emergency planning empowers the individual and their family by saving lives, property and time, ultimately reducing stress on individuals and their families during an already stressful event. “A plan provides a road map during a crisis which saves time, and also provides measures for protecting property and other resources to include our most precious resource, our families,” said Sigmund E. Evans, installation emergency manager for Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.“Ready Navy provides the information needed for proper preparation of emergencies.” Evans stressed the need for planning for the unexpected, as inclement weather can quickly evolve into an emergency situation with little or no warning, citing the blizzard of 2011. “Area motorists did not expect, nor were they fully prepared, to deal with the elements at that rate,” said Evans. “No one expected to be stuck in their cars on the highway, some for up to 13 hours. This is just one example of a situation that

many could have avoided by being prepared and having a good emergency plan.” For many servicemembers, being ready for the unexpected, such as a sudden deployment, is a part of their job. Robert Klebahn, regional program manager for the Fleet and Family Support Program, suggests taking that mentality and applying it to life at home. “In the military, we constantly practice and drill our capabilities to be ready. In some of our services we are mandated to constantly be ready to deploy,” said Klebahn. “So when we start thinking about preparedness, it’s similar to that. But in a [local] disaster, you have to worry about family members. It becomes more personal if you have family and children that rely on you. You not only plan for you, but for them as well. “ Klebahn said that by being physically prepared, staying informed and exercising proper planning, individuals and their families can take a more proactive role in their lives should an emergency occur. This in turn can lead to less stress in the event of a natural or man-made emergency, effectively reducing fear by reducing uncertainty. “[Having an emergency plan] allows them to reduce the fear level that something bad might happen to them or their family members or their community by understanding what the everyday risks are from natural disasters or man-made dis-

See Ready, Page 9

U.S. Navy photo by Patrick Gordon

Lauren Milner shops for groceries at the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling commissary Sept. 21. Having enough supplies, such as food and water, to last for several days in case of an emergency can help to ease the stress of an already stressful event.

AbsenteeVoting Week Kicks Off September 27 By Patrick Gordon, NDW Waterline writer

U.S. Navy photo by Patrick Gordon

Kyle Hammonds, events coordinator and administrative assistant to the commanding officer at Naval Support Activity Washington, fills out an absentee voter ballot Sept. 24. The Department of Defense has designated the week of Sept. 27 through Oct. 4 as Absentee Voting Week to encourage higher voter turnout from servicemembers and their spouses.

According to a report released last year by the FederalVoting Assistance Program, absentee ballot requests from military members were extremely low. As a result, Department of Defense has designated the week of Sept. 27 through Oct. 4 as AbsenteeVotingWeek to encourage higher voter turnout from service members and their spouses. Every state should have absentee ballots by Sept. 22, so absentee voters should start checking their mail boxes for their ballots to arrive. Once voters receive their absentee ballots, they should be completed as soon as possible. "It's very important for absentee voters to get involved and vote," said Michael Murray, voting assistance manager at Naval Support Activity Washington. "If you're concerned about what's going on in your home state, you've got to get your vote out and make sure your voice is heard." Murray added that some first time voters, particularly younger servicemembers who are stationed in places other than their home states, still have the opportunity to cast their ballots as absentee voters. "As long as a voter is registered and has a valid home address and a mailing address where they currently are, they can receive and fill out their ballot."

Voters should ensure that their absentee ballots are mailed by the dates below to ensure that they are counted during the 2012 general election: Oct. 6 - Forward deployed voters at remote locations Oct. 13 - Overseas installations' voters Oct. 29 - Stateside installations' voters Any voter who has registered to vote absentee and has not received their absentee ballot by their respective recommended mailing date should complete a federal write-in absentee ballot. Voters who are not registered to vote absentee but would like to do so should complete both the federal post card application and a federal write-in absentee ballot. "It's a very simple process," said Murray. "The federal voting assistance program website, www.fvap.gov, is very easy to navigate and tells you exactly what information you need to fill in to register and get your ballot." He said that voters can also contact their local voting assistance office to ask questions and to register. "Some people on base may need some assistance in the process,sotheycancomeinourofficespaceandgetonthe FederalVoting Assistance Program website from here," said Murray. Voters requiring assistance with the absentee voting process should contact their command voting assistance of-

See Vote, Page 8

Inside Link directly to the NDW Facebook page on your smart phone

Around the Yard, Page 2

DOF Appreciation, Page 7


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