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Team Kadena hosts Typhoon Preparedness Extravaganza

By Airman 1st Class Nicholas Emerick, 18th Wing Public Affairs / Published August 20, 2015

The contents of a typhoon kit are displayed on a table in front of the Exchange at the Typhoon Preparedness Extravaganza on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 15, 2015. The contents included the basic items to get through most natural disasters that may occur on Okinawa. The total amount spent to build a kit ranges from $70 to $150. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Omari Bernard)
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The contents of a typhoon kit are displayed on a table in front of the Exchange at the Typhoon Preparedness Extravaganza on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 15, 2015. The contents included the basic items to get through most natural disasters that may occur on Okinawa. The total amount spent to build a kit ranges from $70 to $150. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Omari Bernard)

Volunteers from the Red Cross brief a passerby on typhoon and emergency preparedness during the Typhoon Preparedness Extravaganza on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 15, 2015. The event’s goal was to get newcomers on Okinawa to get informed, have a plan and build a kit for typhoons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Omari Bernard))
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Volunteers from the Red Cross brief a passerby on typhoon and emergency preparedness during the Typhoon Preparedness Extravaganza on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 15, 2015. The event’s goal was to get newcomers on Okinawa to get informed, have a plan and build a kit for typhoons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Omari Bernard))

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Kadena Air Base, Japan -- Typhoons are storms that bring strong winds, rain, and cause a lot of damage. For the residents of Okinawa this is nothing new.  However, for people that have recently experienced a permanent change of station to the island, these storms can be quite a shock if caught unprepared.

A coalition of volunteers from multiple services, agencies and units came together to inform residents of Okinawa about Typhoon preparedness in front of the Exchange here Aug. 15.

"For the first time ever, we are gathering together as subject matter experts to educate the people if they have any questions in general," said Nalan Miles, Service to the Armed Forces regional program manager.

It is normal to pass by the entrance of the Exchange and see one or two booths advertising water safety or typhoon preparedness.

Agencies that came together to host the event included the Command Fleet Activities Okinawa, Red Cross, 18th Operations Support Squadron with volunteers from the Department of Health and Human Services on Futenma, 18th Emergency Management Flight, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, White Beach firefighters and Booz Allen Hamilton Strategies and Technology emergency management consultants.

During the Typhoon Preparedness Extravaganza, volunteers handed out emergency supply lists, evacuation planners and taught passersby how to prevent and prepare for heat-related injuries.

Displays were set up with basic information on what should be included in a typhoon kit, which included the costs of the items so families can budget for building their own kits.

"Our focus is to show an integrated response, because there are a lot of new folks, since it is PCS season," said Rochelle Blount, CFAO emergency management officer. "People see different uniforms and we want to ensure them that in case of incident or a disaster, we will work together as Team Kadena, that despite wearing different uniforms, we practice together and work together."

For more information on typhoons and preparedness visit http://www.kadena.af.mil/library/typhoons or http://www.beready.af.mil/