JOPLIN, Missouri — The spring severe weather season is approaching, and local organizations are banding together to prepare for the worst-case scenarios.
The Salvation Army, in collaboration with the Red Cross, is hosting a Community Disaster Showcase and Training titled “Love Beyond Times of Disaster.”
“It’s caring for your community during disasters and comforting those who have lost loved ones. “Whether it’s a fire or a flood,” said Nathan Hicks, Joplin’s Salvation Army Disaster Service Coordinator.
The event highlights disaster response efforts by local organizations, such as Convoy of Hope and the Joplin Fire Department.
It also allows attendees to get involved.
“We are hoping to provide more information, more detailed trainings, as well as a place where people can come and ask questions and find out how they can get involved as it fits into their very busy lives,” said Lee Eastburn, Director of the American Red Cross of Southwest Missouri.
Joplin has experienced numerous natural disasters. After the city was hit by a devastating tornado in 2011, emergency preparation became more important than ever.
“We’ve seen it time and again: communities aren’t prepared for disasters. “Joplin is a little more prepared than most because of what we’ve been through, but we still need to get the community ready to deal with things when the time comes,” said Jenny Solomon, Community Disaster Program Manager for the American Red Cross of Southwest Missouri.
“Having a volunteer base is important. Knowing who to volunteer with and what organizations to volunteer with would have been extremely beneficial when I was volunteering, rather than having to bounce around from one location to another every day,” Hicks stated.
According to event organizers, the question is not whether a disaster will occur, but when.
“Being able to know your resources, being able to know how to navigate a system during a struggling time, that is going to be key,” claimed Hicks.
The Community Disaster Showcase and Training continues Friday (2/28) at the Salvation Army in Joplin, with a focus on disaster relief training.
