With the recent severe stretch of inclement weather hitting the region, it never hurts to be prepared for potential natural disasters.
The Northeast Tennessee Regional Health Office and Northeast Tennessee Medical Reserve Corps have been able to add an extra an arrow into the quiver to combat the issue with “The Readys” – an instructional program that assists with emergency preparedness training for people with access and functional and educational needs.
New Liberty Freewill Baptist Church was able to take full advantage of the resource Tuesday and provided attendees with training on how to be prepared for different issues.
“This is a program that is for everyone,” said Melissa Taylor, RN, and Nurse Consultant with the Regional Health Office.
Attendees were able to learn a variety of helpful tips when it comes to preparing for a natural disaster. The idea for the program came after how residents in rural-type areas responded following hurricane activity years ago.
“We were looking for something along those lines here to address that community,” Taylor said. “We were able to adopt the ‘Readys’ program and were able to initiate the program in 2014. This is our third year of doing the training.”
Throughout the years, the program has been able to be successful, she added.
“We’ve been able to have great success with the training,” Taylor said. “It takes around an hour and is free. Everybody that takes the training gets a workbook that comes with the powerpoint and, the neat thing about section two of the book is that it is a section of fill-in-the-blanks. The workbook then becomes that person’s own personal emergency plan. Once they get done with the class, they’ll be able to have all the information they need to create a plan.”
Taylor added that individuals that take the class could receive a personal go bag, while supplies last.
Lynn Peters, with New Liberty, added he saw a fundamental importance with the training and encourages other individuals and groups to utilize the resource when possible.
“Absolutely, this is the perfect training for this type of area,” Taylor said. “What we are told to prepare for during any natural disaster is that you could potentially be on your own for up to three days. We need people to be prepared and help each other during that period.”
Taylor added that the classes are free of charge and can be put together for any organization or group.
“Whether it is five people of 75 people, we’ll come out and teach the class,” Taylor said with a smile. “Our goal is to make sure the community is prepared.”
For more information or to schedule a class, contact Taylor via email at melissa.a.taylor@tn.gov or call (423) 979-4663.