Red Cross hosting two workshops

Published 9:50 pm Tuesday, August 21, 2012

By Sarah Cook

The Selma Times-Journal

 

When it comes to natural disasters like hurricanes, you just can’t be prepared enough, and the Black Belt American Red Cross is making sure citizens are just that—prepared.

A disaster training class for shelter operations will be held Aug. 23 at Westwood Baptist Church at 10 a.m. All interested churches, groups and individuals are invited.

Jakki Phillips, executive director for the Blackbelt American Red Cross, said this workshop is part of an initiative to evaluate the community’s capacity for disaster.

“We are in hurricane season and one of our deficits is in shelter management and shelter operations,” Phillips said.

She is hoping that by holding this workshop, the Red Cross can recruit and train volunteers so whenever a disaster happens, citizens can be prepared to handle it.

Although all are welcome to attend, Phillips said there is a specific want for church members.

“We’re really making a special appeal to churches that have nice fellowship halls and sound structures that have a disaster initiative in place,” Phillips said. “We would just love to train their volunteers in Red Cross policy so that we can work cohesively together.”

An additional meeting will be held Sept. 6 at 5:30 p.m., which will serve as a disaster training assessment class. Phillips said the goal of this session is to form a disaster action team for Dallas County. Each workshop is held yearly and there is no fee.

“Even if you have had the training prior and want to come out for a refresher, this is a great opportunity to get back acclimated to exactly what is required,” Phillips said.

To register for one or both classes, contact Jakki Phillips at 874-4641 or 874-4642. Walk-ins are welcome the day of the workshop too.

“We just want to make sure that locally we’re ready for the unthinkable,” Phillips said. “So whatever citizens and organizations can do to be better prepared, we are certainly interested in having a good partnership and relationship with them.”