Unique domestic preparedness event set for Saturday By JANE MCHUGH Staff Writer
A domestic preparedness event Saturday will cover everything you need to know in case a sudden disaster - be it a hurricane, ice storm or terrorist attack - hits Bowie.
The free event, "Get Prepared," arranged by St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, is an example of a faith-based activity for all citizens regardless of religious affiliation. It will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the church's fellowship hall. The church is located at 14900 Annapolis Road near Bowie High School. For information, call 301-262-5148.
Concurrent classroom seminars will be offered on the hour from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. At the same time, useful emergency equipment ranging from first-aid kits to portable power generators for when the electricity goes out, will be available for inspection and sale. There will be displays of emergency equipment, including a command center and the church's own disaster response trailer. And children will be able to participate by getting fingerprinted and having their own identification cards made.
"Get Prepared" is organized by the church's Disaster Response Team. (For a church to have such an entity isn't out of the ordinary considering the United Methodist Church has a health and homeland security division.)
"I read recently that 93 percent of our population is not prepared for an emergency or disaster," said Dan Blades, a retired federal government employee who's coordinating the special day. "That's not a good score."
For the past four months, Blades and others at St. Matthew's have been planning the day, contacting emergency and Homeland Security experts from all levels of government as well as private industry, to give talks and demonstrations.
And judging from Saturday's program, they've succeeded in aiming for something compelling and comprehensive.
"We need organizations like this to step forward and do these workshops," said Vernon Herron, Prince George's director of Homeland Security, who will speak. "It's important that every citizen have some level of preparedness for when there's a snowstorm, ice storm, power outage, flooding or just your everyday emergency."
The day kicks off at 9 a.m. with opening remarks from Blades, coordinator of the church's Disaster Response Team. Herron also will speak as will Mayor G. Fred Robinson.
From 10 to 10:45, a representative of the American Red Cross will talk about why a family emergency plan is necessary and how to create one.
Beginning at 11 are the classroom seminars. Individuals may select three of the seminars and attend each on the hour. The seminars are:
Bowie Emergency Response
, which tells about the city government's role in a disaster or emergency.
Community Emergency Response Team
, addressing the Prince George's Office of Emergency Management.
Explorers Program: Ages 14-20,
a talk about young county fire/EMS volunteers.
Home Gas and Electric Safety,
a presentation by BGE.
Insurance Preparedness
, understanding your insurance before and after losses, by the Maryland Insurance Administration.
Maryland Emergency Management Administration,
about the state's role in handling a disaster.
Pet Survival Preparedness,
how to care for your dog or cat in a civic emergency.
Preparedness for Special Needs Population
, concerning helping people who are physically or mentally challenged.
Senior Safety
, caring for the elderly in an emergency, by the county fire department.
Using Weather Information
, a presentation on forecasting and weather warnings by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Ladder Safety and Use.
How not to fall and break your bones using a ladder.
Besides the government and BGE, other groups that will send representatives to the event include the University of Maryland, Home Depot, J&H Power Equipment Co., Noah's Wish and the Bowie Chamber of Commerce.
The county and city fire and police departments also will give live demonstrations.
