Are you prepared?

  • Published
  • By Maj. Dani Johnson
  • 4th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
NEW ORLEANS (AFPN) --  I thought I was ready to deploy but I didn’t realize how unprepared I really was until I received orders to move within 24 hours. I had to ask myself the question: How prepared am I to face unexpected contingencies or disasters?

I received the notice the morning of Sept. 3 to deploy the next day to Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., for Joint Task Force-Katrina. My mind scrambled as I thought about what I needed: orders, plane tickets, gear. My staff had to be recalled so I could go over the next month’s events since I didn’t know how long I would be gone. Professionally I was ready and prepared.

Personally, I wasn't quite as ready. As I did five loads of laundry, my mind went over what I would need. I had the recommended packing list but that had primarily only professional gear listed. I thought I had everything until I got here, unrolled my sleeping bag and realized I didn’t bring a pillow. Living in bare base conditions, there were small things I could have brought to enhance my quality of life. But because I wasn’t prepared, I forgot them.

While I was packing and calling my parents, I had to find someone to watch my cats. Military families with children have to have a short-term care program. Those of us with pets aren’t required to have one. I realized that I needed to have a plan for these exact times. Thank goodness for the kindness of neighbors.

After I redeploy, you can bet that I will have a personal short-notice deployment kit at home with a to-do list with what needs to be done before I depart.

Shortly after I arrived, I escorted national media on a helicopter flight over the city. As I looked down at the water surrounding houses, I asked myself: Would I be ready to evacuate my home if I needed to? What would I take with me?

Many of us don’t want to deal with the reality that a disaster could happen to us. Unfortunately it has been proven time and time again that something will happen. Once I’m home, I also will create a list of what I would take with me if I had to evacuate my home.

The other part of being prepared is ensuring you can replace your belongings if needed. I’m not advocating one insurance company over the other but it’s important, whether you are renting or owning, that you have insurance to cover any losses.

Along with having insurance is having the right insurance. According to a news report, many residents here admitted to complacency with hurricane warnings and evacuations. A Post-Kaiser-Harvard poll stated seven people out of 10 had no insurance (renters or homeowners) to cover losses. Only 40 percent of homeowners had flood insurance. Now that might be surprising to many but if you aren’t prepared and have become complacent, you don’t always do what really needs to be done. It’s the “won’t happen to me” syndrome.

As my deployment here winds down, I realize while I was ready to help, I wasn’t as prepared as I thought I was. I can guarantee you I will be next time. Will you?