EMA Offers Homeland Security/Community Disaster Training


Enviado por Admin

The Memphis and Shelby County Emergency Management Agency is stepping up its efforts to help every citizen in Shelby County be prepared to cope with the effects of a terrorist attack or other disasters caused by earthquakes, weather, or accidents involving hazardous materials.

Free training is being offered to help people recognize possible terrorist activity and help them be prepared to survive without the aid of emergency response workers. If a major event occurs in Memphis and Shelby County roads could be destroyed or blocked keeping citizens from receiving help.

The C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) training instructs citizens on such topics as disaster kits, shut-off of gas lines and other utilities, basic first aid, search and rescue techniques and how to prepare for the psycological effects of a disaster or terrorist event which would leave people isolated and without resources possibly for several days.

The C.E.R.T. training is avaiable to individuals, commuinity groups, business organizations, churches and social agencies. The course includes lecture, and hands-on demonstrations and exercises. Classes are taught in two eight-hour sessions during the week or on weekends at the offices of the Emergency Management Agency in Midtown Memphis.

Each class is comprised of a minimum of fifteen (15) people and a maximum of thirty (30) per class. Groups must make special arrangements two weeks in advance. Those interested should contact the EMA Training Officer, Wendy Cantrell, at 901-458-4101 extension 1013, Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.