When Disaster Strikes Close to Home

There have been a lot of disasters in the news lately, and I'm not talking about Manchester's Board of Aldermen meetings prior to April's election. I'm talking about real, genuine disasters. 

The tornado that ripped through Sunset Hills on New Year's Eve. The devastating earthquake in Japan, followed by hundreds of strong aftershocks, a tsunami and a nuclear radiation leak. The tornado that destroyed homes in Bridgeton, and sent frightened travelers fleeing for safety  as the windows imploded in Concourse C at Lambert International Airport. And days later, the tornadoes that devastated parts of the Deep South, killing hundreds and causing widespread destruction over five states. And now flooding in Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas as the Mighty Mississippi surges towards Louisiana in its quest for its ultimate destination, the Gulf of Mexico.  And let's not forget another disaster not so long ago, Hurricane Katrina. 

Have you ever thought about what would happen if a disaster happened right here in Manchester? How would you cope? What would you do if you couldn't just pick up the phone and call 911 and be assured that help was on the way? Think about it. 

There are 38 . Then add in and perhaps a sprinkling of St. Louis County officers who might be nearby. Do you think there would be enough first responders to assist the almost 20,000 residents who call Manchester home? Not even close. 

And what if the devastation started in Kirkwood, or Des Peres, and worked its way west, through Manchester, Ballwin, Ellisville, Wildwood?  You would be on your own, left to help yourself, your family and your neighbors. 

It could happen anywhere, anytime. Even here. Just ask the folks in Tuscaloosa, or Birmingham, if they were prepared for a widespread disaster. If at a moment's notice, they knew how to help themselves, their families and their neighbors when it became apparent that emergency responders couldn't reach them. I hope and pray that many of them have taken a Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) course, just as I did back in 2005. 

The Manchester CERT program is made up of local residents and employees who complete a 20 hour basic training course, which is taught by our  police officers and firefighters. The CERT program is designed to train citizens in the Manchester community to deal with an emergency or disaster of such magnitude that first responders cannot get to them. With CERT, trained volunteers can provide aide to the community and support efforts of police, emergency personnel and firefighters in the wake of a disaster.  

 I thought about my CERT training as I watched the disaster in Japan unfold. As houses crumbled during the earthquake and continued to be rocked by aftershocks, I wondered if folks there knew how to turn off their gas lines and how to suppress fires. I know how. I learned it in my CERT class. 

I thought about my CERT training as I watched the horrific news reports of tornadoes that ravaged Alabama, leaving buildings flattened and so many dead and injured. I  wondered if the survivors of these deadly storms knew basic first aid, so that they could aid their injured loved ones. And I prayed that they knew light search and rescue, enabling them to safely enter damaged buildings and help free family members, neighbors and pets. I  know how. I learned it in my CERT class. 

And finally, I think of the folks in New Orleans, who lost so much in Hurricane Katrina and now face another potentially disastrous flooding situation. Are they prepared? Do they have enough food, water, medical supplies, clothing? Do they know how to survive on their own for a few days if widespread flooding strands them in their homes?  I know how.  I learned it in my CERT class.

I hope that none of us in the city of Manchester will ever be called upon to use our CERT training. I pray that our community will never be hit with a devastating tornado that traps people in their homes. I pray that none of  our homes will crumple on us, or our neighbors,  as the New Madrid fault finally roars to life. But if a disaster ever hits the town of Manchester, thanks to CERT, I will be prepared to assist my family, my friends, and my neighbors until help arrives. I hope you will be too. 

To apply for CERT training, go to www.manchestermo.gov and click on Document Center.  Applications are also available in the clerk's office at the Manchester Police Department,       200 Highlands Dr. Please direct any inquiries concerning CERT to Sergeant Chuck Hunn at 636-227-1410.