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Team helps ensure emergency readiness

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lynn Aird
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The 71st Logistics Readiness Squadron's Emergency Management Team held a demonstration on how to build and maintain an emergency supply kit March 31 in the Vance AFB Commissary.

"The staff asked us to come on one of their busier days and show people how to build a kit, especially in a state that's no stranger to tornados," said Staff Sgt. Danielle Ring, 71st LRS emergency management team NCO in charge. "We were in the booth across from them at the Women's Wellness Fair, so they saw what we could put together." 

The team of four set up a booth near the shopping carts inside the commissary, where they could offer interested patrons pamphlets and personal instructions. The booth included a fully functional survival kit available as a prize in a raffle, and several articles about survival and preparedness. The contents of a survival kit were also on display at the booth. 

"Typically people want the kit to have enough supplies and tools to last them anywhere from 24-72 hours," said Senior Airman Jennifer DePrinzio, 71st LRS EMT plans and operations manager. 

The recommended supplies in basic survival kits include: water (one gallon per person per day, for drinking and sanitation), food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishables), battery-powered radios and extra batteries, flashlights and extra batteries, first aid kits, whistles (to signal for help), filter masks or cotton t-shirts (to help filter the air), moist towelettes (for sanitation), wrenches or pliers (to turn off utilities), manual can openers (to open canned food), plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter-in-place), garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation), and unique family needs (medications, infant diapers, important family documents).

"We recommend non-perishables, but it's important to keep note of expiration dates regardless," said Senior Airman Travis DePrinzio, 71st LRS EMT training manger. "The safest thing to do is to rotate the water and food in the kit every six months."