Non-Profit, State and Federal Partners Want You to Be Ready
Release Date: May 23, 2007
Release Number: 1604-548
» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina
BILOXI, Miss. -- With June 1 right around the corner, everyone should take the necessary steps to prepare for hurricane season. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) remind all Mississippians to take advantage of valuable disaster preparedness resources available to the community.
Hispanic/Latino Ministries of United Methodist Church (HLMUMC) will host a special preparedness workshop for Spanish-speaking individuals and families on May 27.
"We'll discuss not only disaster preparedness but the importance of being financially prepared before disaster strikes," said Mary Townsend, assistant coordinator for HLMUMC, Seashore District. "We have been spreading the word about preparedness at all of our events even if it's not the main focus of every meeting. We still want the Hispanic/Latino community to be ready."
The Living Independence for Everyone (L.I.F.E) organization of Mississippi provides valuable preparedness and evacuation information for the disabled on their website, www.lifeofms.com. They offer disaster training to help those with special needs prepare for the season. They're also distributing "disaster starter kits" to the community. "We call them starter kits because they may not have everything you need to be ready for a disaster, but they can help you get started," said Bobbie Singletary, disaster preparedness and recovery coordinator, L.I.F.E. of South Mississippi. "People should be ready year-round for anything."
Singletary also reminds people with special needs to have an evacuation plan and gather any special items they might need such as wheelchairs or electrical equipment, in advance. The items should be labeled. "Know the locations and phone numbers of special needs shelters. If you take prescription medicine, keep a supply on-hand or be sure you have plenty of time to get it refilled in case you have to leave town for a while."
Here are a few other tips to get everyone in the community ready for the season:
- Visually impaired - arrangements may be needed for guide dog (food, water, etc.);
- Hearing impaired - may need special arrangements or equipment to receive warnings;
- Mobility impaired - may need special assistance to get to emergency shelter;
- Single working parent - may need help to plan for disasters and emergencies;
- Non-English speaking persons - may need visual aids or translated guides to plan for disasters;
- Residents without vehicles - may need to make arrangements for transportation;
- People with special dietary needs - should take special precautions to have an adequate food supply;
- People with medical conditions - should know location and availability of more than one facility if dependent on a dialysis machine or other life-sustaining equipment or treatment;
- Mentally challenged persons - may need help responding and getting to a shelter.
Mississippi residents can find information on evacuation routes in their area by visiting the Mississippi Department of Transportation's website at www.mdot.state.ms.us.
Disaster preparedness information is available at www.msema.org and www.fema.gov. The FEMA Website features documents available in nine languages including Spanish and Vietnamese.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 23-May-2007 10:39:32