Disaster preparedness course for the deaf set for Feb. 25

[Miss-Delectable]

Jackson Sun - www.jacksonsun.com - Jackson, TN

A free disaster preparedness course for the deaf and hard of hearing and emergency responders, scheduled for Feb. 25, is especially needed in our community since last Tuesday's tornado, said Marty Clements, director of Jackson-Madison County Emergency Management.

"In our emergency management plan, we have to consider everyone," Clements said. "We do not discriminate."

The eight-hour course will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Jackson Center for Independent Living, at 1981 Hollywood Drive. A continental breakfast and working lunch will be provided.
According to the course details, "the course is designed to provide the deaf and hard of hearing and emergency responders with the basic skills they need to communicate with each other in the event of emergencies such as terrorist attacks and natural and biological disasters."

The course will teach participants how to respond to a variety of emergency situations.

This is the first time the course has been offered in Tennessee, Clements said. He has put hours of research into making sure it is beneficial for everyone.

"I've been working on this for two or three months, and I had to get state approval," Clements said. "Employees from the state will be at the course to observe. If this class goes well, we could have other parts of the state that want to copy it or do it."

Phillip Merrell, coordinator of independent living services with the Jackson Center for Independent Living, said Tuesday that about 30 people had signed up for the course.

"I think it's something that's been needed for some time, especially with the recent storms," Merrell said. "It's more of a struggle to recover from a disaster like this if you weren't prepared for it in the first place."

 

[Babyblue]

I wish they would do this before a disaster.. Hurricanes, Tornadoes, earthquakes, terrorisms or any other disasters. The more we are educated the better we are prepared. Why wait until after the fact.. They need to do this everywhere for people of all needs. beforehand.

 

[shel90]

I wish they would do this before a disaster.. Hurricanes, Tornadoes, earthquakes, terrorisms or any other disasters. The more we are educated the better we are prepared. Why wait until after the fact.. They need to do this everywhere for people of all needs. beforehand.

I couldnt agree more! It seems like it takes a disaster to happen before action is taken. *sighs*

At least they are doing something about it now rather than never.

 

[Babyblue]

I couldnt agree more! It seems like it takes a disaster to happen before action is taken. *sighs*

At least they are doing something about it now rather than never.

I have been through Hurricane Charley.. I have seen and been through hell... I just wished I was more prepared.

I was with out power and water for 19 days and lost my job due to my work place was destroyed. The news station was Great not always CC most of the time it was a boxed in Interpretor.....try watching that on a battery operated 3 inch TV.... If it was not for my hearing husband. I would not have know anything that was going on during and after the storms. Storm(s) due to we had two more Hurricanes after Charley was the First and the worst. Frances was the 2nd and Jeanne was the 3rd.

The Emergency management has been improving on helping out with the special needs. but a cop driving down the road with a bull horn is not going to alert a deaf person... All I can say is to register and tell them you are Deaf and they will go to your home and alert you to evacuate..Since the storms have hit. I have seen some improvements.