Last modified: Thursday, March 9, 2006 12:08 PM CST

Group to train area citizens for disasters

By DOUG WATERS, The Daily News, dwaters@bgdailynews.com/783-3276

A Homeland Security initiative to train citizens in 10 counties for emergencies was loosely established at a meeting organized by the Barren River Area Development District on Wednesday.

Assembling under the banner of the Barren River Area Citizens Corps, representatives from Barren, Butler, Warren and others in the 10-county BRADD region listened to presentations by Jaime Shipley, director of preparedness integration at Kentucky's Homeland Security office, and Janarae Conway, disaster preparedness coordinator for the Barren River District Health Department.

“We are implementing strategies for each of the 10 counties and that must be done by July” to obtain federal funding, said Marie Smith, chair of the regional citizens corps.

One of the goals, Smith said, is to persuade citizens to prepare a 36-hour sustenance kit with first-aid items, water and nonperishable foods. Smith also wants volunteers to take an “awareness-level” course for community emergency response teams course.

To proselytize the program, the slogan “Avoid This” next to a red-panic button will be mounted on billboards in the region, including two already in Bowling Green.

“We're taking the regional strategy and rolling it up into the state strategy,” Shipley told representatives.

Shipley said this approach is atypical but necessary because emergency strategies for eastern Kentucky won't necessarily be the same for Bowling Green. And if a tornado or a train pulling chemical-laden cars overturns in Bowling Green, it's going to affect the whole region.

“We have to take baby steps,” Shipley said, as plans can fall apart if too much is attempted too soon.

The concept of a citizens corps emerged in the wake of Sept. 11. The privilege of being an American comes with the responsibility to be prepared, Conway said.

“One of these days, we're going to have another outbreak like 1918,” Conway said, as she touched on the latest buzzword - “pandemic influenza.”

In disasters, citizens are usually on their own and the first people at the grisly scenes by default, she said. Thus, one of the most important things Conway said she's learned in risk communication is to empower people by giving them something to do.

After speakers talked with representatives, Smith said, “Your questions and suggestions have been good today. As you can see, we do have our work cut out for us.”

Brian Weber, who works at Hart County's courthouse, said the task to represent Hart is overwhelming, but the concept can be successful if implemented correctly.

Weber shared some ideas to take back to his county, like enlisting the help of churches and civic groups. Other representatives sought contact numbers for those involved in their counties.

Barren County Judge-Executive Davie Greer suggested night meetings and one-on-one training sessions in different counties.

Bill Lyte, who's on the Metcalfe County Chamber of Commerce board, said he attended as a concerned citizen and wanted to put organizational skills gleaned from his military background to good use.

“The key is to know who wants to be part of the solution,” Lyte said. “I think 36 hours is one of the key things to sell to citizens.”

- For more information, visit www.protectyourfamily.ky.gov. People can obtain a free, in-depth citizen preparedness guidebook by calling (800) 480-2520.