Released January 30, 2009
PARAGOULD, Ark. - More than 350 Extension Homemaker Club, or EHC, members in northeast Arkansas are readying themselves in case of disaster.
Members of EHC clubs in Craighead, Clay, Greene and Mississippi counties selected emergency preparedness as an emphasis for training in 2009.
Program leaders met in January in Paragould to participate in the initial training that covered "Emergency Preparedness in Food and Water Storage;" "Emergency Preparedness in the Home;" "Disaster-Proofing Your Finances;" and "Creating a Family Disaster Plan."
Program leaders will now train their club members through club programs to be conducted in February, March, April and May.
The training was conducted by county extension agents with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, who say there is a potential for serious natural emergencies in their part of the state.
"We're in ‘Tornado Alley' and next to the New Madrid seismic zone," said Craighead County Agent Debbie DeRossitte. "We had a little tremor this week in Walnut Ridge."
She said the area's 31 EHC clubs with their 359 members are a great resource who can train people in their communities what to do in an emergency.
Mississippi County Agent Romona Thieme conducted training on "Emergency Preparedness in Food and Water Storage."
Her lesson included information on stocking an emergency food pantry. Participants received a one-week meal planner using non-perishable foods. Thieme emphasized the importance of rotating the food items so that food and water remain fresh. She also covered cooking during power outages and water purification.
Home safety was the focus of the session, "Emergency Preparedness in the Home," presented by Greene County Agent Debbie Still. She taught participants how to secure their home in advance to minimize damage. She also discussed methods for cleaning damage and preventing mold and mildew growth.
The "Creating a Family Disaster Plan" session was conducted by Clay County Agent Debbie Baker. Guidance was given for preparation of an emergency supply kits. "The needs of every family member needs to be considered," said Baker, "Even pets."
Financial records and insurance coverage were the thrust of the "Disaster-Proofing Your Finances" segment. DeRossitte led a discussion what to pack in disaster kits to help re-establish finance services and make claims on insurance coverage or for government disaster assistance.
In addition to the training for disaster preparedness, attendees brought items needed for comfort kits distributed by the American Red Cross and worked together to assemble them. Over 30 kits will be provided for local distribution, with more planned.
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http://www.uaex.edu/news/january2009/0130disaster_prepared.htm
Contact: Lamar James, (501) 671-2187, ljames@uaex.edu
