PREPARING FOR DISASTER
by Dr. James Cockey
EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Cockey is a longtime member of St. Alban’s, an internist in private practice, and on the staff of the Wicomico County Health Department.
The Episcopal Diocese of Easton has become increasingly involved in Disaster Preparedness Planning over the last few years. Why has this become such a prominent issue at this time?
Preparing for potential problems has always been a part of being a responsible person. Disasters can be described as very big problems that affect many people. For many years we have all left the management of the infrequent disasters which occur to experts, like the Red Cross and FEMA. Most of us do not feel that we have much to offer in the event of a real disaster; that we would in fact need help, rather than being able to offer help.
The national thinking on responding to disasters started to change after 9/11/01. Lack of disaster planning in New York led to the inability of the fire and police departments to communicate, which in turn led to unnecessary loss of life. Preparation for disasters became a national priority.
On a local level, Hurricane Isabel in 2003 had a major impact. For most of us on the lower shore, Isabel was an inconvenience, but not a disaster. In Kent County, however, it left many people homeless for years. Faith communities in Kent County wanted to help. Churches routinely reach out to their members and their neighbors, with meals, transportation, and emotional support. People in Kent County found that they did not have the knowledge or logistical ability to offer meaningful help in the face of a disaster of such magnitude. Their frustration led to their seeking out professional help from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Johns Hopkins sent personnel to help the Kent County churches plan for future disasters. Episcopalians in Kent County brought this new sense of mission to the Diocese of Easton. Their persistence led to a cooperative effort between the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and the Episcopal Diocese of Easton, sponsored by funds from the Cent er for Disease Control in Atlanta, culminating in one day trainings in Cambridge, open to all Eastern Shore Episcopalians last March and May.
Frieda Malcolm, Bob Dadson, Rebecca Raygor, Doug Girardeau and I have taken one or both of the training programs. The Bishop has established a Diocesan Committee on EP to help local congregations plan for disasters as well as local emergencies. I serve on that committee.
Our first goal here will be to draft a Disaster Preparedness Plan for St. Alban’s.
As we make progress, I hope we can eventually network with local agencies involved
with emergency management, and also spread this mission to other churches.
The
Bishop fully supports this project, and feels strongly that it fulfills a part of
the fundamental mission of the Church.
The Episcopal Church has advanced planning
for disasters after Hurricane Katrina. State and Federal governmenthave also emphasized
Disaster Preparedness since 9/11, the hurricanes, and the Gulf oil spill. The Vestry
and the Rector are in full support. I feel a strong personal call to this ministry.
I think it will benefit St. Alban’s; the Salisbury area; and the Diocese.
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