Health Department offering preparedness training countywide
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If a tornado rips through Kokomo (again), where do you go if you’re at home? What do you do when the power goes out in the middle of a heat wave? In case of a fire, do you have an evacuation plan for you and your family?
These are important, existential questions that many people assume are obvious, but when a disaster strikes, it’s no longer a simple matter to remember how to escape, survive, and protect your family.
Christina Sommers is the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the Howard County Health Department. For the past 11 years, it has been her job to make sure people have this life-saving information. This year, she is taking the effort to a new level with the CrisisReady disaster response training series.
“The goal of CrisisReady is to help our community be more prepared at the grassroots level,” said Sommers. “We can have prepared organizations and prepared first responders, but do we truly have a prepared community?
“The goal is to provide you the information, the motivation, and the tools to be prepared for the disasters that can affect you throughout the year.”
Sommers explained that only 28 percent of households know their evacuation routes. Fewer than 20 percent of residents practice evacuation drills and establish preparedness habits.
“One of the things I do with my kids is a drill on how to get out of our van in case our it crashes into the water,” said Sommers. “We practice getting out of our house if there's a fire both during the day and at night. It's so important to do these drills. Learn how not to be scared but be prepared.”
Through the health department, Sommers holds monthly seminars on different preparedness topics. In April, she focused on tornadoes and weather disasters. In May, she is instructing about coping with heat.
“We're tackling a different topic each month to help you become more resilient,” said Sommers. “If you attend each program throughout this year, you will be more empowered to face many types of disasters.”
Previous seminars focused on the items that should be included in an emergency kit or “go bag.” They also covered plans for sheltering in place and evacuations. It’s not enough to leave the area where a disaster occurs or to find shelter nearby. There are basic necessities, like identification, a flashlight, access to information, medications, a change of clothing, and a small supply of food and water that become vital in a hurry.
For instance, Sommers explained that when sheltering in place, a family should have at least three days of food held in reserve for every person and pet in the family.
“Don’t forget your pets,” said Sommers.
Three CrisisReady seminars are held each month across Howard County. They take place at: the Kokomo Howard County Public Library, 220 S. Union St., in Kokomo; the library’s Russiaville branch, 315 Mesa Dr., in Russiaville; and the community room at Century Villa Health Care and Rehabilitation, 705 N. Meridian St., in Greentown.
The next CrisisReady seminar takes place Thu., May 8, at the library in downtown Kokomo from 5:30-7 p.m. This month’s topic is summer heat. Participants will learn how to stay cool even when the power goes out. They will also learn the signs of heat-related illnesses and how to respond to them,
After the presentation, CrisisReady is offering CPR certification where participants will learn how to apply rescue breaths, compressions, and how to use and AED. Registration is required for the certification training, which costs $25. Register for the training by visiting https://form.jotform.com/243314812932150
Future seminars will cover family communication, weather-related responses, and a variety of other essential topics. All of the seminars are free to attend, and everyone should consider participating, Sommers said.
Check the Howard County Health Department’s Facebook page or the “What’s Happening This Week?” article every Sunday in the Kokomo Lantern for upcoming CrisisReady dates.
“Would you rather feel panicked or in control?” asked Sommers. “Who wants to feel panicked? But if you don't know what to do, what are you going to feel? Panic. And the people around you are going to be panicked.
“But, if you know what to do, you can lead others to safety. You will be safer, and you might even help save a life just because you know what the procedures are.”