May 20, 2013
Tallahassee, Florida- August 25, 2012
Neighbors helping neighbors; that's the idea behind a workshop hosted by the Red Cross on Saturday.
"First responders may not be able to get to them for several days due to the impacts to our community, so we want them to help eachother in the aftermath of such a disaster," said Robby Powers, Tallahassee's Emergency Management Coordinator.
The goal is to prepare residents on how to handle and prepare for a weather related emergency, until help can arrive.
John Joyce, a Leon County resident said, "We've gone out with a survey and asked people, 'who's got a chain saw for instance? Who's got a generator? Who's got some kind of means we might be able to use?'"
Brad Harris, another Leon County neighbor added, "It's very important, especially in the early hours right after a storm, for neighbors to help one another and step up and clear those trees and shares resources."
Emergency officials set up real-life scenarios. They discussed action plans, including how to care for a handicap neighbor during an emergency.
Neighbors say they're taking steps to prepare for the worst.
"We have a family hurricane preparation kit," said Harris. "It's got four days worth of food, water, batteries, flash lights, those kind of things."
"Well we're a family," added Joyce. "When an emergency comes up, I think it's a time we all pull together and I think it makes a lot of difference."
Emergency officials say it's also crucial to have an emergency plan organized for your pets.
