Men’s Fraternity of Wakulla Seeking Disaster Relief & Recovery Team Training Participants

by Steve Smith, Men's Fraternity of Wakulla County 

Following a very well attended Men’s Fraternity of Wakulla meeting this past Thursday (7/31/08) where Scott Nelson, Wakulla County Emergency Management Director & Scott Jackson, Wakulla County’s Extension Agent and Volunteer-WAKULLA Chairman presented information on Disaster Preparedness, Relief & Recovery men were moved to take action.  With almost every seat in the doublewide “Outback” behind Cornerstone Ministries which houses the group taken, the men eagerly watched as Scott Jackson explained some of the past history of hurricanes and their affects on Florida, some of the devastation and some of the misses only by the grace of God.

The “what would happen if’……” scenario’s, if a category 2 or 3 hurricane hit Wakulla County.  Scott Nelson included that a hurricane would not have to hit Wakulla County for us to suffer major damage or devastation from a disaster. Winds, rain & flooding could occur, damage to power lines, homes & businesses, wash outs to disallow passage to get food, water & needed supplies not to mention medical attention for the elderly or disabled.  Disasters come in many forms, some affect regions, some a lesser area, but when disaster strikes, especially if it’s in your neighborhood, or your backyard, you’re looking for all the help you can get!!

The men Thursday night wanted to know more of how we could get trained to meet any disaster prepared!!  What training was available, and could we get the training here in Wakulla County.  J Harold Thurmond spoke up with the desire to be trained also to be able to go outside our area when needed, his comments were met with a hardy agreement.  Not only were they wanting to be prepared for local disasters, but there was high interest in being able to go out to other communities and assist them in their time of need.

Both Emergency Management Director Scott Nelson and Scott Jackson, Wakulla County’s Extension Agent and Volunteer-WAKULLA Chairman mentioned that it was important that we first make sure our families & loved ones are safe and out of harms way before setting out to help others.  They encouraged the men to go to www.Floridadisaster.org and make a plan for their family and their business. A few minutes spent formulating a plan can save hours or days of worry & concern and prevent your own disaster from happening.

The concluding thoughts of the meeting were that Men’s Fraternity of Wakulla would pursue getting some recognized training for those interested in participating and then organize Specific Teams that could be called out in the event of a disaster in our area.  It was recommended that various churches or groups could formulate teams that could work together and draw from each other to fill the necessary manpower needed each time.  Each Team Member would be trained accordingly to work as a team so they could work together in unity with other Teams.  Churches or groups interested in forming a Disaster Relief & Recovery Team or individuals wishing to participate as a Team Member should e-mail Steve Smith, Men’s Fraternity of Wakulla Coordinator at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it   or call 508-2560 for more information.

This article originally published on August 6, 2008.

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