Vance Emergency Management Team demonstrates building emergency supply kits Published April 1, 2009 By 2nd Lt. Lynn Aird 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 71st Logistics Readiness Squadron's Emergency Management Team held a demonstration in the Vance Commissary on how to build and maintain an emergency supply kit on Tuesday, March 31. The demonstration was given at the request of the commissary staff, and lasted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. "The staff asked us to come on one of their busier days and show people how to build a kit, especially in a state that's no stranger to tornados," explained Staff Sgt. Danielle Ring, NCO in charge of emergency management with the 71st LRS. "We were in the booth across from them at the Women's Wellness Fair, so they saw what we could put together." The team of four set up a booth near the shopping carts inside the commissary, where they could offer pamphlets and personal instructions to interested commissary patrons. The booth included a fully functional survival kit, available as a prize in a raffle, and several articles about survival and preparedness. The contents of a survival kit were also on display at the booth, to include first aid supplies, pouches of drinking water, rope and food packets. "Typically people want the kit to have enough supplies and tools to last them anywhere from 24-72 hours," said Senior Airman Jennifer DePrinzio, in charge of plans and operations with the 71st LRS emergency management team. The recommended supplies to include in a basic kit are: Water one gallon per person per day, for drinking and sanitation Food at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food Battery-powered radio and extra batteries Flashlight and extra batteries First aid kit Whistle to signal for help Filter mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air Moist towelettes for sanitation Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities Manual can opener for food (if kit contains canned food) Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation Unique family needs such as daily prescription medications, infant formula or diapers, and important family documents "We recommend non-perishables, but it's important to keep note of expiration dates regardless," said Senior Airman Travis DePrinzio, in charge of training. "The safest thing to do is to rotate the water and food in the kit every six months." For more information about emergency management, call 213-6409.