In Event of Disaster, Volunteers Learn How to Make a Difference

Simulation at Snellville UMC gave participants a taste of what to expect after a natural disaster.

"If this had been an actual emergency," John Davis, a Lawrenceville ham operator explained, "we'd be ready." That was the main point Saturday during a natural disaster simulation and training event at Snellville United Methodist Church. Around 200 volunteers representing more than a dozen groups of emergency responders and volunteers attended the all-day event, which exposed would-be rescuers what to expect and do after a natural disaster. Davis is a member of the Gwinnett County Amateur Radio Emergency Services, which provided radio communication Saturday as if there had been an emergency. He says radio hams often provide the only communication after a disaster, since the power is frequently out. "We can provide communication resources …

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Joy L. Woodson

9:29 am on Monday, April 16, 2012

No problem Councilman! Thanks for uploading those pics, as well!   more ›

A Mom Said So

Toddlers and Tornadoes

How do you tell a preschooler about natural disasters and do you even want to?

We drove through Tuscaloosa, Ala., last Saturday on our way back from a family function. Lilliana, who is rarely quiet for any length of time, was speechless for a few minutes. Then she just kept saying, “Oh my gosh!  Oh my gosh, look!”  I was moved to tears.  I had worked as a property inspector for FEMA several years ago in Florida and Pensacola helping folks get their reimbursements from when Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne wreaked havoc down there. Seeing it on television is one thing, but it was my first exposure to up-close devastation on that level. And I guess it has been long enough that I was just shocked again. I was again moved to tears at the sight of the absolute destruction left behind, and I wondered how to …

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Crystal Huskey

6:31 pm on Monday, June 13, 2011

I had a similar situation when we drove through Ringgold, GA, a few weeks ago. My daughter kept looking at the shredded buildings saying, "What happened to that playground? What happened to that house? Oh no!" It broke my heart. I told her a really bad storm came through and broke some of the houses and restaurants. She was quiet for few seconds, then, on the verge of tears, said, "Why'd that …   more ›