MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Marines, sailors and civilians gathered at the Russell Marine and Family Center Auditorium for the 2014 Hurricane Preparedness Town Hall Meeting aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, June 18.
The meeting encouraged community members to be prepared in the event of a destructive weather emergency.
“The idea of a hurricane can make people anxious,” said Breck Bregel, a life skills program trainer with Marine Corps Community Services. “If people are informed and prepared, they will be ready and more comfortable during the event of a hurricane, and that’s what we teach at our emergency preparedness class. Our motto is be informed, be prepared, be ready.”
Numerous speakers gave presentations, supplying viewers with multiple ways to stay informed, be prepared and have a plan.
“Links to websites, phone apps and a lot of good information was distributed to our viewers,” said Col. James Clark, deputy commander of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune – Marine Corps Installations East. “By attending these meetings and watching them online, residents can learn exactly what they need to do when an emergency comes up, because many times people just don’t know what to do.”
The meeting also gave patrons information concerning places to assemble in case of an emergency such as the base’s newest shelter facility, the basketball gym at Wallace Creek Fitness Center.
Attendees left with various tips when planning for a destructive weather scenario, as well as links to informative sites.
“The meeting went great,” said Jay Sollis, director of Marine Corps Community Services Camp Lejeune. “A lot of valuable information was shared and I know I learned a lot. People pass the word to their friends, family, neighbors and we get a lot of follow up requests for information so the information is really getting out there, in one form or another.”
For more information on destructive weather preparedness, visit www.ready.gov.