No need to panic, but always be prepared Published April 30, 2012 By Maj. Darrick B. Lee & 2nd Lt. Son H. Lee 35 Fighter Wing Public Affairs MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- More than one year has passed since the earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan on March 11, 2011. Despite the devastation and grief that followed, the Misawa Air Base community learned how to deal with such catastrophic disasters and is prepared to implement those lessons learned at a moment's notice. In spite of the 9.0 magnitude earthquake, the base sustained minor structural damage with no injuries or lives lost. According to base officials, this is due in part to the quality construction of base facilities. Base engineers said that buildings on Misawa were designed to withstand the brutal conditions Northern Japan is known for. "Misawa has great infrastructure," said Tech. Sgt. Rennaissance Henry, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency manager. "Even with all that shaking, our facilities and homes sustained very little damage, if any at all." The base also experienced power, heat and water heater outages following the disaster. For almost 10 days, base residents endured below-freezing temperatures without the ability to heat their homes or power on cooking appliances. This is where emergency kits equipped with food, water and other essential items played an integral role in a successful recovery. Japan has a long history of seismic activity due to its location. The country rests alongside tectonic plates that border the Pacific Ocean basin, making it more earthquake-prone than other areas in the Pacific. Whether concentrating on office spaces or residential areas, base officials have been working hard to ensure the community observes lessons learned to be ready for what the future holds. Recent media reports claim seismologists predict another large-scale disaster to hit southern Japan sometime in the near future. However, most experts agree that earthquakes are difficult to predict due to the lack of precursor signals that could indicate when one is about to happen. Misawa is fortunate in that it is located north of where this event is rumored to occur, and the base rests on a higher elevation than southern Japan, making it less susceptible to tsunamis. Col. Michael Rothstein, 35th Fighter Wing and Misawa installation commander, prefers to focus less on media speculation and more on readiness. Predictions and speculation aside, Misawa Air Base adheres to a philosophy of being prepared year round. In addition to Airmen working to keep the 35th Fighter Wing's F-16s in the air, all agencies on the installation are integrated into an on-going training program focused on minimizing the effects of the next "big one." "Last year's events were tragic; however, we learned how to deal with these disasters through experience," said Col. Rothstein. "It's impossible to predict every crisis event and guarantee the outcome, since large-scale disasters impact almost every aspect of our lives. If another earthquake were to come our way, I'm confident we are ready and equipped with the right tools and knowledge for a rapid recovery." Still, the responsibility to prepare does not rest with military units alone. The EM flight played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of base members during the 2011 earthquake. Aside from assisting units with internal crisis response plans, the EM flight recommends all families remain knowledgeable about earthquake safety and learn how to be ready for natural disasters. "Preparing before an earthquake arises is just as important as knowing how to react when one occurs," said Henry. With so many myths surrounding earthquakes and tsunamis, confirming what to do may not be so easy. Henry offers families a few recommendations ... BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE/TSUNAMI Educate yourself -- Whether through military channels or through the civilian community, there are multiple resources available to help families learn about preparing for and coping with natural disasters. The Misawa American Red Cross offers quarterly classes focused on teaching people how to build an emergency preparedness kit, how to create a family emergency action plan and how to stay informed. Take advantage by contacting them at 226-3772 or visiting their Facebook page to learn more. Stay connected, and stay informed -- Misawa City offers a disaster notification program that can send warnings to registered email addresses and mobile devices. The free, subscription-based service lets users choose English or Japanese language messages and gives information about earthquakes, tsunami warnings, and other natural disasters. Receiving these messages from the city could help your family get a head start on putting your plan into action before it's too late. Register for this service by visiting bousai-misawa.jp. Practice how your unit or family will respond - The base will do its best to help prepare families for the worst, but the success of the base's efforts will be directly proportional to how well individual families and units prepare themselves. Take an active role in planning for your safety. Whether at work or at home, develop a plan, discuss it with everyone and test it so people are familiar with it BEFORE disaster strikes. Choose rally points and map travel routes to other safe areas. Ensure your family communication plan includes letting relatives stateside know the best way for them to confirm your whereabouts after a disaster. DURING AN EARTHQUAKE Seek shelter from debris -- Earthquakes themselves usually don't cause bodily harm ... it's the falling debris that results in personal injuries. If you're inside when the shaking starts, Henry suggests families identify sturdy structures, such as a table, for protection. Drop, cover and hold are the recommended courses of action when an earthquake starts, according to Henry. Drop to the ground, seek cover from debris and hold on to something sturdy. "Stay away from glass, windows and outside walls," Henry advises. "Also, be careful not to stand under light fixtures or heavy objects that could fall down." If you're outside, stay outside -- Move away from any streetlights, buildings and utility poles until the shaking stops, Henry advises. AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE Review warnings - A majority of Japan's earthquakes occur beneath the ocean. These quakes can trigger tsunamis in coastal areas. If near water, immediately seek higher ground and implement your family communication plan. Remain there until you confirm there are no tsunami warnings. Communicate -- Whether you survived without a scratch or your building sustained damage, implement your family communication plan. Military units and family members will want to know the status of servicemembers and their families. Communicating after an earthquake helps first responders know where to concentrate their efforts and helps relieve the communication overload caused by multiple people inquiring about your safety. "In a disaster situation, like the events on March 11, 2011, the American Red Cross has a Safe- and-Well system," said Kathryn Lasky, Misawa American Red Cross public relations chairman. "This system allows those affected by the disaster to register themselves and their families as 'safe' so family members in other locations can look for information on their loved ones' status." Follow the instructions of first responders -- Staying in touch with base emergency responders can help ensure you receive credible information from those in the know. The Misawa Emergency Management flight maintains a Facebook page that it uses to pass critical information before and during crisis. Link to it, and you'll be privy to accurate information following disasters. There's no need to lose your nerves over what nature has in store for Misawa but, there's always a need to be prepared.