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CMSAF life celebration

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A celebration of life ceremony will be held at 2 p.m., March 28, 2015, at the Emerald Coast Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, to honor the ninth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James C. Binnicker.

Binnicker died March 21 in Calhoun, Georgia. A memorial service and interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, at a later date.

Saturday’s ceremony is open to the public and will be attended by local dignitaries, military leaders and residents of the Air Force Enlisted Village who wish to honor the chief’s contributions, not only to the service, but also to the community. Binnicker served as the CEO and president of the village since 2000.

“Chief Binnicker was a friend, a leader and a mentor to me and literally thousands of others,” said Tony Hughes, Air Force Special Operations Command representative to the Air Force Chief of Staff Civic Leader Program. “He dedicated his life to serve our country, the Airmen and their families, not only while on active duty, but also in retirement through his leadership at the Air Force Enlisted Village. He made a difference in everything he was involved with, and will be truly missed.”

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Air Force Enlisted Village.

News Briefs 04/03/2015

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COMMISSARY TO HOLD CASE LOT SALE

The March Commissary has a case lot sale scheduled for May 1-4, where you can find great deals on many, many items. Save the dates!

RETIREE ACTIVITIES OFFICE RELOCATED

The March Field Retiree Activities Office has moved to Bldg. 441, Rm. 25. The address is 1920 Graeber St., March Air Reserve Base, Calif. 92518. Their hours remain 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The RAO would like to thank the Civil Air Patrol-March Field Composite Squadron 45, for their help with the move.

FOD WALK NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

In order to comply with AFI 21-101, the 452nd Air Mobility Wing Quarterly FOD Walk is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, with the following schedule:

7:15 a.m. – Assemble at Bldg. 265, old Air Passenger Terminal Building/flight line side

7:15 a.m. – Pre-brief

7:30 a.m. – Walk begins

Bring:

*a plastic trash bag, like the one in your shop/office trash can

*hearing protections if possible (if you don’t have it, there will be hearing protection available)Carpooling is recommended. Personnel not accustomed to the flight line environment should follow the lead of those familiar with obstacles and hazards. Personnel will make a line toward the runways, every other person will walk the opposite direction. Volunteers will walk to Bldg. 2303 (PRIDE Hangar) or the end of the C-17 parking ramp (by the Fire Department) respectively. Quality Assurance reps will be located at the PRIDE Hangar and at the South end of the airfield at the end of parking rows S and T by the Fire Department to collect your findings.

The 452 AMW vice commander, Col. Stephen Browning, thanks you for your support!

FORCE SUPPORT SQUADRON UPDATES SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE

     The 452nd Force Support Squadron has updated and merged its Facebook page and combined all upcoming events into one, easy-to-find location. Visit them at www.facebook.com/MarchFSS to keep up on events and outings.

FINANCIAL WORKSHOP OFFERED APR 21

The Airman and Family Readiness office is hosting a Financial Workshop Lunch and Learn on Tuesday, April 21, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in Bldg. 2313, Rm. 6 (the 452nd Mission Support Group conference room), 1261 Graeber St. All base personnel are welcome to attend but pre-registration is required by calling 951-655-5350. Bring your lunch and learn how the Thrift Savings Plan can improve your net worth by paying yourself first!

PACE RUNNERS

The Rising 6 is looking for volunteers to be part of its Fit to Fight Pacing Program for Airmen. Their mission is to help people improve F2F test run times. To volunteer you must score 90 percent or better on your last two F2F tests and have the confidence to pace at the desired time requested by the tester. You don’t have to be a fast runner to be a pacer. For more information or to volunteer, contact Tech. Sgt. Ygnacio Garcia at ygnacio.garcia04@gmail.com or 714-721-7683.

VIRTUAL FITNESS

The March Fitness Center has received the Wellbeats Virtual Group Fitness Kiosk. This kiosk allows members to participate in virtual fitness classes. The first class scheduled is a virtual spin class at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. For more information, visit the Fitness Center or call 951-655-2284.

FITNESS NEWS

Weekly Battles Ropes circuit at 12:30 and 5:30 p.m.

April – Extramural golf begins

April – Mud Run

May – Extramural softball begins (letters of intent available at the Fitness Center)

For more information, visit the Fitness Center or call 951-655-2284.

HAPPY 67TH BIRTHDAY USAF RESERVE!

In a joint directive signed by Gen. Omar Bradley, the Army Chief of Staff, and Gen. Carl Spaatz, the Air Force Chief of Staff, dated April 14, 1948, the Army Air Corps Reserve was transferred to the Air Force, officially becoming the Air Force Reserve.

Retired Reservist finds inspiration through loss

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U.S. Air Force photo/Megan Crusher

(Second in a three-part series chronicling Angela Alexander’s incredible story which led to a book, a ministry and now, a documentary.)

Following the untimely death of her two sons in a car crash, Angela Alexander, a retired Air Force Reservist, needed some sort of sign that her youngest son Roger, along with his brother Murice, was okay. Murice had written two letters prior to his death that helped Alexander deal with what happened to him but she needed something from Roger too. She searched her home but found nothing.

With hopes of re-establishing some regularity for her daughters, Angela and Angelina, she took them to their school’s open house, where her sons had also attended.

She started with her daughters’ fourth and fifth grade classes, then went to Murice’s third grade class, where she was warmly greeted by his friends who told her how much they missed Murice and how sorry they were for what happened, she said.

The last stop was Roger’s second grade class. She was curious to see what he had done for open house.

Roger’s teacher said she had given the children art supplies and told them to create anything they wanted. Alexander said she knew right away that this was what she had been searching for.

The art work Roger had created was in the shape of a house with doors that opened and closed as if giving an embrace. Inside he wrote, “I have a big back yard and a big house,” which confused his Mom at first because they had the smallest backyard in their neighborhood. That’s when she realized what he had meant.

“He’s referring to his heavenly home where he does have a big back yard and he does have a big house,” Alexander said.

Inside of the house Roger made, he had cut and pasted a tombstone, with a drawing of himself on the left side and wrote ‘dead men joy’ and on the opposite side he cut and pasted another tombstone, with a drawing of Murice and wrote, ‘dead man jams.’

“I almost fell to my knees,” Alexander said. “I realized how good God is to me. I had just prayed that evening and this is what God gave me. I just kept repeating dead men joy, dead man jams. My sons are joyfully jamming with Jesus,” she said.

After finding Roger’s gift, Alexander said she was at complete peace because she knew her sons were okay and were watching over her.

“My sons did not know consciously (that) they were going to die, but their spirit knew,” she said. “I do believe that they had an out-of-body experience that allowed their bodies to write these letters.”

Even though she was at peace regarding her sons, she still struggled with day-to-day issues. She was raising her daughters, while her husband, Surie, spent two months in the hospital recovering from his injuries. Manslaughter charges filed against him were finally dropped after a month and one of the two lawsuits was settled quickly while the other would go on for years.

But two of the biggest hurdles she had to face with was beginning her ministry and deciding what to do regarding her commitment to the Air Force Reserve.

When her sons died she had 15 years of service, and as the training manager for the 56th Aerial Port Squadron here, her rule was that if you had 15 years in, you stayed for the full 20 years. For Alexander, that was easier said than done.

“I could not put that uniform back on without God, she said. “I was told in that uniform that my sons died. I can’t put that uniform back on unless you (God) give me the strength to do it.”

Taking the advice she gave to others in need, Alexander let go and let God. She prayed, “God if you give me the strength to put my uniform back on and stay in the military another five years, I will retire and dedicate the rest of my life to praising your holy name.”

Her answered prayer gave her the strength to continue her military service. But sharing her story with the world proved to be quite the challenge.

The birth of Alexander’s ministry and how her story was turned into a documentary will be addressed in the final part of this three-part series in next week’s Beacon.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

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WASHINGTON, March 26, 2015 – There has been progress in the Defense Department’s efforts against sexual assault in the military, “but we have to keep hammering away at the problem,” said Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Snow. “This is going to take time.”

Snow leads DOD’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, and while he said he’s encouraged at signs of progress, he’s not satisfied.

“This evil undermines the trust that holds our military together,” the career infantryman told DOD News. “It is morally wrong, and instances of sexual assault can also have an impact on readiness — on individuals, certainly, but also on units.”

Snow is monitoring 50 initiatives put in place by past Defense secretaries Leon Panetta and Chuck Hagel. “These initiatives changed how the military prevents, responds to and prosecutes sexual assault crimes,” Snow said. “I’m encouraged that Secretary [Ash] Carter has already announced his commitment to keep this program aggressively moving forward.”

Progress is undeniable. The most recent data, gathered last year, shows the past-year prevalence of sexual assault is down significantly, Snow said. Estimates indicate there were 6,000 to 7,000 fewer sexual assaults in 2014 than in 2012.

Encouraging Trends

While there were fewer sexual assaults, more of them were reported. “There was an unprecedented 50 percent increase in victims choosing to report the crime in 2013,” he said. “Last year … even more chose to report.” This means authorities received reports from one in four victims in 2014 –- up from 1 in 10 in 2012.

Changes in the military justice system give commanders the tools they need to fight the crime. They also expand legal representation and protections for victims’ interests, rights and privacy, Snow said.

Overall, he said, 10 of 12 DoD-charted metrics demonstrate progress in sexual assault prevention and response.

The department-wide climate survey conducted by the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute found that most service members highly rate their commanders’ efforts to promote a healthy climate and discourage inappropriate gender-based behavior.

“We need to continue training efforts, information campaigns, whatever it takes to continue making progress,” Snow said.

‘Troubling’ Figures on Male-victim Assaults

Addressing sexual assaults against men is particularly challenging, he said. Given the preponderance of males in the military, the estimated number of men experiencing a sexual assault is actually higher than the estimated number of women –- roughly 10,000 to 8,000, respectively. However, reporting of the crime shows an even greater disparity. Officials estimate about 10 percent of victimized military men report their assault, while roughly 40 percent of victimized military women report.

The department is developing new ways to reach out to men who have been sexually assaulted, Snow said. Officials are looking at special information campaigns and special training for police, prosecutors and medical personnel, so they can recognize the signs of assault and act upon them, the general explained.

Driving Forward Against Sexual Assault

It is the department’s goal to encourage greater reporting, as a way to provide victims with assistance and to hold offenders appropriately accountable, Snow said. An unrestricted report allows a victim to get help and participate in the military justice process. Restricted reports do not trigger a criminal investigation or command notification, but do allow victims to confidentially get help, Snow said.

“Our response system is designed to build a victim’s trust in the system and deliver immediate care while assisting with restoring resiliency after a sexual assault,” he said.

An outgrowth of the increased emphasis on the crime is an increased focus on combating retaliation, Snow said.

“Our victim and population-based surveys look to capture the kinds of stressors military members experience so that responders throughout the department can better meet their needs,” he said. “But we have more to do if we are going to keep people reporting this crime. We’ve found that service members can often perceive ‘social retaliation’ from peers after reporting.”

While these acts aren’t always criminal, Snow said, “they certainly can add to a victim’s feelings of alienation and complicate someone’s recovery.”

Sexual assault prevention and response officials will continue to drive forward, Snow said. “We will keep working with people inside and out of the military to take on this problem,” he added.

Research indicates that sexual assault happens less often in commands with good climates and low rates of related problems, such as sexual harassment, he noted. Snow added that prevention of sexual assault relies heavily on individuals’ efforts to take action if they see a situation at risk for sexual assault or disrespect being shown to a fellow service member.

He praised federal lawmakers for all they have done to highlight the crime and for the tools they have given the military to combat it.

Still, he said, the road ahead is not easy and will take time. “It’s not successful until that last private in the smallest unit understands that sexual assault is a crime and that he or she will be held accountable for promoting a culture of dignity and respect,” Snow said. “We want service members to not only identify risky situations, but also to intervene and demonstrate social courage when they encounter inappropriate behavior.”

Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) is recognized in April by both civilian and military communities. The Department of Defense observes SAAPM by focusing on creating the appropriate culture to eliminate sexual assault and requiring a personal commitment from all Service members at every level. We all have a part in combating sexual assault and SAAPM offers an excellent opportunity to focus attention on our individual roles.

Fly through the air…

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Courtesy photo/Josh Merk

Staff Sgt. Emmanuel Parras, 752nd Medical Squadron, readies his trapeze dismount during a Single Airmen trip to the Santa Monica Pier, March 28. The Trapeze School New York gave Airmen a glimpse of what it’s like to fly without a plane. Parras said it looked easy but requires strength. “I’m still a bit sore,” he said. While preparing to fly, you have to lean out and grab the trapeze bar, he said. “You really have to trust the person behind you!”

Have a blessed Easter!

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(U.S. Navy photo by Gunner's Mate Seaman Naquon Kebe/Released)

(U.S. Navy photo/Gunner’s Mate Seaman Naquon Kebe)

U.S. Sailors aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) gather in the early morning on the flight deck for a sunrise Easter Service April 20, 2014, in the Indian Ocean. The Nitze was on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

Chief Wente retirement ceremony celebrates 37 years of service

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U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Russell S. McMillan

Approximately 150 airmen, family members and distinguished guests celebrated the retirement of Chief Master Sgt. Cheryl L. Wente, medical group superintendent, 452nd Medical Group, March Air Reserve Base, at the Cultural Resource Center here March 22.

Maj. Gen. Wallace W. Farris Jr., U.S. Air Force retired, presided over the official ceremony and briefly highlighted Wente’s distinguished career.

Wente entered active-duty in 1975 and deployed around the world in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM and the war on terrorism. In Sept. 2009, Wente was assigned to the 452 MG as the senior enlisted advisor for a staff of more than 300 airmen, managed career development and also served as president for the 452nd Air Mobility Wing Chief’s group.

The full attendance in the CRC was evidence of the significant impact Wente made throughout her career.

“Cheryl is the perfect example of what a chief represents,” said Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Willers, 452nd Maintenance Group superintendent, March ARB.

During her time at March ARB, Wente managed more than $15 million in annual budgets, ensured compliance standards were met, organized training plans to support the Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection and assisted with the realignment of three medical group squadrons, said Farris.

“You were the reason I got these stars,” said Farris when referring to his rank. “The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Chief Wente culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of her country and reflect great credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.”

“We may have a new [superintendent] but no one will ever truly replace Chief Master Sgt. Cheryl Wente,” said Col. Karl Edelmann, 452 MG commander.

“Chief Wente is the epitome of an American Airman,” added Col. Russell Muncy, commander, 452 AMW.

After receiving numerous awards from peers and base leadership, Wente imparted words of thanks to all in attendance.

“I hope that I have assisted members of the military to achieve their potential and to find the best in themselves,” said Wente. “As I leave this fine organization, I am taking many of you with me. You will live [on] in my mind forever. I will always remember the times and successes we have achieved together.”

Ongoing fitness lifestyle promotes healthy recovery

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Courtesy photo

Capt. Linda Baltes Monsolillo, 752nd Medical Squadron biomedical science officer, is no stranger to fitness. As a fitness model and personal trainer, her healthy lifestyle is the reason she said she bounced back so quickly after her Feb. 15, 2015 delivery of a healthy 9 pound, 2 ounce baby girl, Emerson Zoe.

“I grew up in really active household, playing soccer, basketball and running track,” she said. “When I first moved away from home, I kept active.”

In her early 20s she was a full-time college student, a reservist and working full time. Such a packed schedule caused her to put her fitness on the back burner for 10 months to a year. She was not feeling well and a doctor’s visit revealed cholesterol issues with a potential for diabetes she said. That’s when she vowed to get back into shape.

She maintained her fitness into Officer Training School where, in 2008, she sustained an injury.

“We were doing a patient-litter-carry obstacle race. When we lifted the liter, the team took off before I could turn my foot the right way and my boot got stuck,” she said. “I heard a snap and wasn’t sure what had happened. When I returned home it took the doctors two years to correctly diagnosis it.”

“Basically my side butt muscle, and other supporting structures in the hip were damaged. They are used in stability and to lift your leg,” Monsolillo said. “The injury meant I couldn’t walk without severe pain, let alone run much. I had to modify my routines to indoor cardio like the elliptical until I taught myself to swim.”

After a lot of physical therapy and frustration she said it took two surgeries to repair a torn gluteus medius, a labrum and release the IT band. (According to americanhipinstitute.com, the gluteus medius is the hip muscle used to move the leg away from the body, stand upright and walk without a limp. Health.ucsd.edu describes the labrum as a rim of soft tissue surrounding the hip socket helping stabilize the hip. Finally, Upmc.com states the IT band is a thick band of fibrous tissue that runs along the outside of the leg providing stability to the outside of the knee joint.) The avid runner was on the road to recovery and getting back to her fitness routine.

“I did my very first triathlon one year after the second surgery was completed. I did the Santa Barbara Long Course, and let me tell you, I was humbled! I didn’t know how to fuel correctly and my training was lacking,” she said. “I survived and have since gotten much better at both of these things, but most importantly I kept moving and had some fun!”

Monsolillo co-founded March FITT (Fitness and Inspiration Through Teamwork), a private organization, to try to spread wellness initiatives on the base. She also became a personal trainer and helped fellow Airmen with fitness through the development of a pacing program for runners in her squadron.

Lt. Col. Kris Kraiger, 452 AMW director of inspections also an avid runner, met Monsolillo about five years ago when he organized a group of runners to go to the U.S. Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. 

“Linda was one of nearly 100 runners who ran one of the several races that weekend in Ohio,” he said. “Linda’s fitness IQ and ability to motivate people became very apparent that weekend and with (the commander’s) encouragement we continued the success of that first organized running group, March FITT.”

For several years after that first marathon, Kraiger said he and Monsolillo worked closely together managing March FITT, where she was key in generating outside corporate sponsorships with fitness-related organizations.

“Linda was an ever-present motivator in her squadron and would often get groups of people together to run or do core workouts,” he said. “While March FITT was active, Linda’s support was critical in generating interest both in exercise and in nutrition. She helped organize several Lunch and Learns on UTA weekends with the base nutritionist and there was a positive change in the meal offerings as a result.”

“I enlisted in the Air Force in 1996 and was issued a set of blues. I still wear the skirt. My goal is to retire wearing that same uniform,” Monsolillo said. “(And) if I get the call, I have to be 100 percent ready.”

Pregnancy

Monsolillo’s fitness routine would soon change again. When she learned of her pregnancy, she said she was given the option to complete her fitness test or skip it. To demonstrate to her fellow Airman that fitness is her lifestyle, she completed the test, scoring a 98.

She encourages others to modify workouts as needed, but to never stop working out. Some of the Airmen in her squadron joined her in her pregnancy workouts at the base gym.

“I really walk the walk. I try to motivate everybody no matter their speed or expertise, to be surrounded by others who are moving and eating well,” she said. “My troops hide their donuts when I walk in the room. I’ve become a walking billboard (for fitness).”

One of her biggest concerns, during pregnancy, was that as her body changed there was a potential for overdoing it, she said.

“I needed to give myself permission to do what was right for the baby. I’m not an expert (in pregnancy workouts), so I had to get someone to help me devise a good plan,” Mosolillo said. “As my joints became looser and my heart rate increased, I knew I couldn’t go 110 percent.”

Because of her previous injuries the cardio side (running) was not the best option for her through pregnancy. Her joints were just too loose, she said.

“I focused a lot more on my core to help with labor and help offset carrying the extra weight,” she said. “I worked on my flexibility, and adapted my cardio from high-intensity workouts to more moderate workouts with shorter intervals.”

Ashley Peters, Monsolillo’s best friend and training partner, adapted her workouts to fit Monsolillo’s throughout her pregnancy. The two met in 2010 and began working out together in Monsolillo’s home gym last February.

“There was more of a focus on core (for stability), but not sit ups and crunching,” Peters said. “When we were together, I did her work out, (but) I still did stuff on my own.”

Their workouts sometime included planking, using stability balls, and performing functional movements with lighter weights. Other times they would just walk their dogs, or do a guided workout from a trainer, Peters said.

“It’s great being motivated by someone who is pregnant. If she can do this, I can do it,” Peters said. “She’s pretty tough, like a little slave driver, an inspirational lady all around and a good motivator and partner.”

Mosolillo said her labor was incredibly challenging. She is a petite person, measuring 5 foot 7 inches with a pre-pregnancy weight of 120 pounds. Delivering a larger baby speaks to what exercise can do (to help). Emerson was thriving she said.

“Because of my fitness she had incredible nutrition and oxygen levels even though she was 10 days late.”

Thinking her labor and delivery would be easy because she had maintained her fitness, Monsolillo labored for 27-hours before doctors made the decision to perform a Caesarian Section.

“It was daunting, but I was walking within 12 hours of her delivery. My doctor said they normally keep people four nights but I left after three because I was so strong,” she said. “I was able to use the strength that I had built to help get myself out of bed and moving. Had I not been as fit that would have been impossible in such a short time.

“My recovery is unbelievable. It’s only three-and-a-half weeks post-partum and I started a modified weight routine this week,” she said. “My doctor said that because I stayed so healthy, my body is healing must faster than expected for a 37-year-old who just gave birth.”

Now her workouts are about maximizing their time together. Monsolillo and Emerson take walks and often without the stroller. Mom carries her daughter in a sling and uses her in place of a 10-pound weight.

“Right now I’m focused on strengthening my back, which is critical as I carry her in the future,” she said. “As she gets bigger, and we get permission, her jog stroller is ready. Then she’ll be in the gym with me so I can use her there as my weights.”

The Month of the Military Child benefits Guard, Reserve families

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Along with the sacrifice of having a parent away in service for months at a time, many Guard and Reserve families are financially stretched and cannot afford the fees for sports, fine arts, or tutoring programs so crucial to a child’s sense of well-being. Additionally, because these families are Guard and Reserve, they are geographically dispersed throughout the country and often live too far from military bases and installations to access the available support services.

Our Military Kids, founded in 2004, fills these gaps with a simple grant program that pays for children’s activities. Eligible families apply for a grant, and within days of receiving the application in the Our Military Kids office, a packet is sent to the child thanking them for their service to our country and notifying them of the award. The check to pay for the activity is sent directly to the service provider.

Our Military Kids helps families who often fall outside the parameters of established support programs – the families of National Guard and Reserve service men and women who have been and are continuing to sacrifice so much for our country.

Earthquakes are our way of life; be prepared

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Unlike hurricanes and some other natural hazards, earthquakes strike suddenly and without warning. Nevertheless, if you live in an area at risk for earthquakes, there are things that you can do to reduce the chances that you or other members of your household will be injured, that your property will be damaged, or that your home life will be unduly disrupted by an earthquake. These things all fit under the term preparedness, because to be effective, they must be done before earthquakes occur.

Preparing for earthquakes involves (1) learning what people should do before, during, and after earthquakes; and (2) doing or preparing to do those things now, before the next quake. Following are activities that you can undertake now.

Before the next earthquake

Prepare Your Home

Make your home safer to be in during earthquakes and more resistant to earthquake damage by assessing its structure and contents. Depending on when and how it was designed and built, the structure you live in may have weaknesses that make it more vulnerable to earthquakes. Common examples include structures not anchored to their foundations or having weak crawl space walls, unbraced pier-and-post foundations, or unreinforced masonry walls or foundations.

Prepare Yourself and Your Family

•React Safely

•Take Cover

•Survive on Your Own

•Stay in Contact

•Care for People, Pets, and Property

Prepare Your Community

Consider becoming involved in local, voluntary programs that strengthen your community’s disaster resilience. Investigate training and volunteer opportunities available through the American Red Cross. FEMA works with local governments and other community stakeholders to provide free training and volunteer opportunities through its Citizen Corps and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs. Visit www.citizencorps.gov for more information.

During the Next Earthquake

When earthquake shaking begins, immediately apply what you have learned about what to do during an earthquake. Reacting safely will reduce your chances of being injured.

After the Next Earthquake

Once the shaking stops, check for injuries among your family and neighbors and, as needed, administer first aid and call for emergency medical assistance. Also check for hazards in and around your home created by earthquake damage. Keep in mind that aftershocks may strike at any time, exacerbating these hazards and requiring you to immediately drop, cover, and hold on.

Regardless of the severity of this earthquake, learn from the experience.

April is National Earthquake Preparedness Month. The information above is from the Federal Emergency Management Agency website. For more detailed information, visit https://www.fema.gov/earthquake-safety-home.

To help be better prepared for hazards of all types that may threaten our communities and to take action to plan ahead of emergencies, join America’s PerpareAthon! Campaign at www.ready.gov/prepare.