The National Sheriff's Association to Bring Free Disaster Response Program to Manatee County

BRADENTON - Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the National Sheriffs' Association has developed a free program to help prepare local communities in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. The one-day Community Partnerships and Awareness Program prepares the community by starting with individuals and their families, ensuring that each family unit is as well prepared as is possible. The NSA says that a course such as this had been "sorely lacking" in the public sector.

The scope of training widens progressively, forging partnerships between the many sectors that exist in our communities, and encouraging an on-going effort to prepare for an emergency event. Participants are also provided with information on how they might reduce the likelihood that their community could suffer a terrorist attack, and on recovery strategies that allow a community to most effectively rebound from a disaster.

The NSA Community Awareness and Partnership Training course is designed for business, faith, academic and professional communities, whose representatives work alongside representatives from the Sheriff's office, other response agencies, and members of the public. The program focuses on mobilization, partnership building, community resources identification, and establishing goal-oriented coalitions.

The program returns to Manatee County on Saturday, June 5th, for a one-day class on disaster preparedness, titled "Community Awareness and Partnerships Training". The class and materials are entirely free and it includes a continental breakfast and lunch. The NSA last came to Manatee County in February, 2009. This will be their third visit to Manatee County and the class has been well reviewed by previous attendees.

Course Content includes:

• All Hazards, terrorism and WMD awareness.
• Identification of possible targets in a community.
• Preparation for an incident.
• Incorporation of existing programs (such as Neighborhood Watch, Citizen Corps etc.) into the community effort.
• Building Community Partnerships
• Prevention of an attack.
• Responding to an incident.
• Recovery from an incident.
• A desktop exercise specifically designed for the host community, based upon local landmarks, events etc.

To make reservations, email Deputy Stephen Ogline at stephen.ogline@manateesheriff.com