September is National Preparedness Month Published Sept. 2, 2015 By Staff Reports Robins Emergency Management Office ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Since 2004, the nation has annually observed September as National Preparedness Month. This year's theme, "Don't Wait, Communicate," serves as a reminder that we must take the necessary steps to be prepared not just today, but throughout the year. Every September, the Installation Office of Emergency Management helps Air Force personnel and their families by equipping them with the knowledge, skill and ability to take appropriate actions when faced with disastrous events. The goal is for each individual, family and work center to be prepared for a multitude of potential disasters - whether naturally occurring, man-made or technological. If you watch the news, you understand that our community isn't exempt from unforeseeable disaster. The time to prepare is now. The old adage of "the best time to fix the roof is while the sun is shining" is the way to plan. Emergencies threaten the safety of personnel and jeopardize mission accomplishment. This year, Robins employees might be greeted by the EM flight with "Are You a Robin?" This new awareness campaign was developed to create a culture of inclusion and preparedness. A four-step checklist has been built to help folks answer with #IAmARobin and #RobinsReady. It involves developing an emergency action plan, developing a communication plan, building an emergency supply kit and purchasing a NOAA weather radio. The goal is to make preparedness a simple process to ensure the safety of Team Robins families while building a community. The use of a small robin, named "Ready Robin" (found on Twitter @Ready_Robin) is the focal point of the #RobinsReady campaign. @Ready_Robin has a range of preparedness gear and is spreading the word on how to join him in his quest to be #RobinsReady. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A ROBIN? ReadyRobin is excited to share his preparedness knowledge with you and help you become a Robin too. He wants you and your family to be prepared for any kind of weather or disaster that could occur. Being a Robin is simple! Here's what you need: Develop an Emergency Action Plan; Develop a Communication Plan; Build an Emergency Supply Kit; Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio. We invite the public to visit us at several events found around the installation and tour our Mobile Emergency Operations Center Command and Control vehicle during those events as well. "Be Ready" information tables will be set-up at the following location/dates/times: Tuesday from 3 to 5 p.m., Base Gym Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Commissary Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Commissary Sept. 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Base Restaurant Sept. 30 from 1 to 3 p.m., Be A Robin Event - Heritage Club Ballroom Trips will also be made to the youth center and child development centers to visit with installation children on September 23, 24, 25.