Being prepared

The Cullman Times

May 10, 2008 08:07 pm

— By Trent Moore
trentm@cullmantimes.com
If something like Hurricane Katrina happens again, Cullman County should be ready, Red Cross Executive Director Kenneth Kilgo said.
It was that idea that brought agencies such as the Red Cross and Cullman County Emergency Management Agency together at Wallace State late Saturday morning.
“If southern Louisiana has to be evacuated again were going to be ready,” Kilgo said.
Though Wallace facilities were used during the Hurricane Katrina evacuation, things would be on a larger scale if it happened again.
“We were only cleared to house around 525 people last time,” Kilgo said. “But now with more of the facilities opened up we could house over a thousand.”
Kilgo said after the problems faced with the Hurricane Katrina evacuation, a new plan was soon created.
“After (Hurricane) Katrina, a lot of southern governors got together and said we need a better plan,” Cullman County Red Cross Director of Disaster Services Ken Brown said. “If another storm hits or threatens Louisiana, they’ll be evacuated here — and we’re going to be ready for them.”
The new emergency response plan calls for various community colleges north of Birmingham to open as shelters in case the Mobile or southern Louisiana areas have to be evacuated due to severe weather.
For Cullman, that means the Wallace State Wellness Center and Tom Drake Coliseum could one day become home to approximately 1,125 evacuees.
Numerous groups and agencies from Cullman are throwing in together to make sure that if Wallace State ever has to be used as a shelter site, the community and everyone involved will be ready.
Brown said when dealing with potential disasters it is all about preparedness.
“Hard on the training ground and easy on the battlefield,” he said.
Basic supplies such as cots and hygiene products would be supplied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“But you’re also going to need bed sheets, towels and pillow cases,” Brown said.
For that need, Cullman Regional Medical Center has stepped in to provide support.
“The hospital has already signed on to deliver and provide those things, and to also take care of laundry service,” Brown said.
Potential medical assistance will be provided by trained Red Cross personnel and other trained volunteers.
Wallace State Executive Chef Chris Villa would use the Wallace State culinary facilities to provide food for the potential evacuees. Villa would lead a team of up to 60 volunteers a day in the kitchen. The brunt of those volunteers would likely come from the Southern Baptist Association, he said.
“We would be providing a lot of manpower for the mass caring,” said Wintford Haynes with Southern Baptist Association Disaster Relief.
Other supplies such as food and snacks, drinks, board games and other needs would be donated by the local Wal-Mart and Pepsi distributor, Brown said.
“We would also get word out to the media to let them know what we need for people to donate,” he said.
Wallace State representative Cynthia Newman said she was delighted to be involved with the potential disaster plan.
“We’re very pleased to be able to provide facilities for disaster relief,” she said. “It’s part of our mission here at Wallace State to help the community.”
Details have yet to be completely finalized, but the county sheriff’s office would likely provide security for the site in case of a disaster.
As far as spiritual and faith-based needs are concerned, the Cullman community has stepped up in that department as well.
Reverend Kevin McGrath of Sacred Heart Church said they would provide a Sunday service for evacuees.
“A lot of those folks might be Catholic,” he said.
Red Cross Mass Care Coordinator Judy Graham said though many people are on board for the plan, more volunteers are always needed.
“We are always looking for more volunteers,” she said.
Brown said the need for such extensive planning is important for one major reason.
“It’s all about Americans helping Americans,” he said. “Pure and simple.”

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