In accordance with the National Preparedness Month, Marines, Sailors and Department of Defense employees attended an emergency preparedness seminar hosted by Mission Assurance at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept., 29. The attending members were educated on mass notification procedures and emergency action planning resources that could assist them during hazardous weather conditions year round. (Courtesy photo)

Photo by Courtesy photo

Cherry Point residents learn risks at Emergency Preparedness, Planning seminar

2 Oct 2015 | Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. --

From active shooters, to destructive weather, emergency situations can happen spontaneously causing difficulties and creating panic at home and in the workplace.

Cherry Point’s Mission Assurance office hosted an Emergency Preparedness seminar to prepare Marines, Sailors and Department of Defense employees for destructive weather, Sept. 29. The seminar informed participants about resources available to help guide and assist Cherry Point personnel for what to do before, during and after an episode of harsh weather conditions.

“One thing I hope the Marines took from the seminar would be that they know where to go, and how to get help to be prepared,” said Grant DeHaven, the Mission Assurance program manager. “Just giving them the resources, or at least planting the seed in their minds to go and get that information helps.”

The Mass Notification System and emergency planning procedures are tools Cherry Point personnel can use to stay prepared for an emergency like an active shooter, destructive weather or a chemical leak.

The Mass Notification System is an application that sends immediate notifications to Cherry Point personnel in an event that a threat or hazard is imminent.

The Mass Notification System will help the Marines by providing them with the tools and information to properly prepare themselves and their work areas for any type of disaster that may occur, said Etta Lucas, the emergency installation manager.

“The Marines should react positively after reviewing current emergency preparedness documents and update their personal contact information in the mass notification system,” said Lucas.

As of 2 p.m. Oct. 1, Cherry Point is in Tropical Cyclone Condition IV and Force Protection Condition Bravo, which means the potential for severe weather exists within the next 72 hours. As severe weather approaches, military personnel and civilian employees of MCAS Cherry Point should monitor the Severe Weather Information Line at 466-3093 for work status and destructive weather condition updates. FRC East employees should call 464-8333 for more information. DLA Employees should call 466-4083. Naval Health Clinic personnel should call 466-1188. MCCS employees should call 466-6737.

Guidance is available in the Cherry Point Destructive Weather order, ASO 3140.1A w/CH 1 (http://go.usa.gov/3zyhd ). Destructive weather information and tips are also available on the Cherry Point website at http://go.usa.gov/3bXf5.

Tropical Cyclone Condition updates will also be available on the Cherry Point website at http://www.cherrypoint.marines.mil/; Cherry Point Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MCASCherryPoint; Twitter at https://twitter.com/mcascppa; and on Cherry Point TV 6.