Personal, community disaster response roundtable scheduled
Posted: 1/30/2012
Most experts agree that individuals, communities, and even larger areas are only a heartbeat away from a natural or man-caused disaster. What is of a larger concern may be the fact that so few of us are prepared to deal with what could happen.
Centralia College is the site for a roundtable discussion to explore how residents, emergency responders, and communities in general in the region might be more effective and efficient in their response to and recovery from any disaster.
The public is encouraged to attend the discussion, which takes place Friday, Feb. 10, beginning at 10 a.m., in the New Science Center (NSC), room 121. The NSC is located at Centralia College Blvd., and Washington Ave. in Centralia. It is requested that those wanting to attend register as soon as possible.
Roundtable participants include: The Center of Excellence for Homeland Security at Pierce College, Washington State Emergency Management Division, and members of the State Community Preparedness Strategic Planning Workgroup, the Thurston and Lewis counties departments of Emergency Management, Homeland Security Region 3, and Centralia College.
The roundtable, featuring a cross-section of citizens, emergency management professionals, business representatives, and non-governmental organizations, will identify gaps in emergency preparedness and actions all parties can take to be more disaster resilient.
The Center of Excellence for Homeland Security will lead a two-hour family and personal preparedness training, following the roundtable. The class and roundtable are free and open to the public.
Participants will receive emergency preparedness “go bags.” Lunch will also be provided to those who register by Wednesday, Feb. 1.
To register to take part in the roundtable or for additional information, contact Linda Crerar at 253-912-3689 or lcrerar@pierce.ctc.edu.
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