Team Leader Bill Purkes said, “We have a critical need in the Trigg County Area for more volunteers. We only have 35 people active on our list and maybe have seven or eight of them at any time able to respond when the need arises.”
According to Purkes, the Phase I program is an introduction to disaster relief operations, and provides credentials for a volunteer to appear with a team in a disaster area. “It’s the first certificate and qualifies a volunteer for more training, such as chainsaws or food service. It provides insight into our disaster relief program.”
The training costs a volunteer $15.00 for books, literature and training materials. The session lasts three hours. Purkes said that Larry Coch, an instructor for the district program for the Kentucky Baptist Conference would teach the class.
“Right now, to take our chainsaw unit out, we need eight to 12 people on the team. We’re trying to get people on our list because we are critically hurting at this point,” said Purkes.
As the Little River team may leave for up to a week or longer to remove debris from storms and natural disasters in other communities, Purkes said that the program appeals especially to retirees and those with extra time to give to the cause. He added that volunteers of any age would be welcome, though had to be at least 18 to operate chainsaws. Purkes said that employers in other communities have granted volunteers time off to respond to disasters, in some cases with pay.
“Kids can work with adults. If people have the heart to volunteer, we would love to have them,” Purkes said.
For the rest of this story, read this week's Cadiz Record.
