July 13, 2009

Purdue Extension to present disaster preparedness workshop

The primary audience for the event will be members of the Indiana Association for Community Economic Development (IACED), but other organizations are invited to attend as space allows.

"The goal of the workshop is to help non-profit organizations better understand disasters, learn how to prepare their organizations for disasters and help their communities before, during and after a disaster," said Steve Cain, communications specialist for Purdue Extension and the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN). "Often we see that communities are reactive to disasters of all types, but we hope this workshop can give some of the non-profit agencies the tools to be prepared and proactive in case of an emergency."

Participants will have the opportunity to listen to presentations from Purdue Extension and state disaster experts on the following topics:

* Risk assessment - Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS)

* Importance of the comprehensive emergency management plan - IDHS

* Ready business for profits and non-profits - Abigail Borron, Purdue Extension and EDEN

* Community organizations active in disaster - Cain

Day two of the workshop will include a presentation by Scott Gabbard, Purdue Extension Shelby County educator, on animal disasters and the way they affect human and animal lives. There also will be an expert panel discussion and a wrap-up presentation titled "Where Do We Go from Here?"

"All disasters are local, as 80 Indiana counties learned in the 2008 tornadoes and floods," Cain said. "Preparedness, response and recovery depend on local volunteers, businesses and non-profit organizations. Better prepared individuals and organizations allow communities to return to normal more quickly."

Following the workshop, participants at the Shelby County location are invited to a guided tour of areas affected by the 2008 tornado and subsequent flood with further explanation of the challenges residents, rescue personnel and volunteer organizations faced.

The workshop will originate from the Blue River Career Center, 801 Saint Joseph St., Shelbyville. Seating at the host site will be limited to 35 participants. Remote locations, which will be able to seat an additional 200 participants total, include:

* Northwest: Purdue Extension, Lake County, 880 E. 99tt Court, Suite A, Crown Point

* Northeast: Public Safety Academy of Northeast Indiana, 7602 Patriot Crossing, Fort Wayne

* Southwest: Office of Homeland Security, 708 Stanley Ave., Evansville

* Southeast: Purdue Extension, Floyd County, 3000 Technology Ave., Suite L2110, New Albany

The cost to attend the Shelbyville location is $20 for IACED members and $40 for non-members. All other locations are $10 for IACED members and $20 for non-members. The registration fees cover the cost of conference materials. Participants should preregister by Wednesday (July 15) via e-mail to Lindsey Knight at lknight@iaced.org  with the following information: first and last name, organization, address, phone number and e-mail address. Checks should be made payable to IACED and mailed to IACED, Attn. Lindsey Knight, 2105 N Meridian Street, Suite 102, Indianapolis.

More information is available by contacting Cain at 765-494-8410, cain@purdue.edu

Writer: Jennifer Stewart, (765) 494-6682, jsstewar@purdue.edu

Source: Steve Cain (765) 494-8410, cain@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Steve Leer, sleer@purdue.edu
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