Alabama’s Capitol Site For Be Ready Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala.— Alabama’s Capitol lawn was the site of the state’s tenth Ready Alabama Day, Sept. 12. The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) joined more than 20 emergency response and volunteer organizations displaying the latest in response capabilities and training opportunities.

Ready Alabama is coordinated through the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Volunteer Service Office. Part of the ongoing efforts to stress readiness and preparedness throughout the state, Alabama highlights its campaign each year by celebrating Ready Alabama Day as part of September’s National Preparedness Month.

Emergency agencies provided large exhibits and realistic presentations that captured the attention of many in attendance. The CDP provided moulage displays, mannequins dressed in personal protective equipment and information tables, but the highlight of the afternoon was the Human Patient Simulator that gave attendees a first-hand look at how technology is used in training.

“This is the tenth year we’ve celebrated Ready Alabama and we are always proud to have the CDP participate and share in National Preparedness Month,” said Jon Mason, director of Serve Alabama. “The patient simulators are always a high point for all ages. It’s good to show our young people training technology and possibly inspire them for a career in service. The CDP’s focus on training and preparedness is important not only to Alabama, but the nation.”

The goal of Ready Alabama Day is to increase public awareness regarding citizen preparedness for any disaster or emergency, as well as demonstrating the state’s response capabilities. Nearly 550 emergency responders and youth from area schools gathered near the Capitol’s Circle of Flags to receive a firsthand look at response equipment, interactive demonstrations and training courses that stress the importance of preparedness.

The CDP develops and delivers advanced training courses for emergency response providers, emergency managers and other government officials from state, local and tribal governments. CDP training focuses on incident management, mass casualty response and emergency response to a catastrophic natural disaster or terrorist act. CDP training for state, local and tribal responders is fully funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.