Hispanic Emergency Preparedness Training Workshop Takes Place
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Shelby County Mayor’s Office of Hispanic Affairs has teamed up with the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department’s Public Health Reserve Corps and Latino Memphis to host the Hispanic Emergency Preparedness Training Workshop on Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Latino Memphis located at 2838 Hickory Hill Road, Suite 25.
The event will provide information on how to prepare homes and families for a disaster including learning how to develop an emergency plan and emergency kit, and highlight volunteer opportunities.
In addition, the Health Department’s Public Health Corps will recruit volunteers to assist the Health Department during a public health emergency. More than 2,000 residents are presently registered with the program, which includes both medical and non-medical volunteers. Individuals with a variety of skills are needed to assist during a public health emergency. Non-medical volunteers can help out in a number of ways including record keeping, mental health support, directing traffic, answering phones and many other support tasks. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.
“We are excited to be able to provide this opportunity and provide the training that is needed to ensure that all residents understand the importance of emergency planning,” says Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton.
Norman LaChapelle, Administrator of the Bureau of Environmental Health Services for the Health Department, agrees: “We all know that when a disaster strikes, the impact is lessened if we are able to respond quickly and that can only happen when everyone is prepared and knows what to do.”
To find out more about volunteering for the Public Health Reserve Corps and Medical Reserve Corps, visit http://www.shelbybtvolunteers.com/ or contact the Health Department’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program at 901.379.7156 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For additional information about Saturday’s workshop, contact the Shelby County Mayor’s Office of Hispanic Affairs at 901.545.4265.
