Residents of Montgomery County passionate about staying one step ahead in emergencies have an upcoming opportunity to fine-tune their preparedness skills. The "Ready Montgomery Seminar" opens its doors on September 7, 2024, offering a range of advanced preparedness techniques, from how to administer Narcan to weathering climatic shifts. The gathering is set to unfold at Wheaton Community Recreation Center between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., packing a full day of hands-on training sessions into four hours.
With registrations a must, the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is calling on residents older than 14 to join the fray. County Executive Marc Elrich expressed, according to a recent announcement, "From weather-related hazards like flash flooding and heat to personal health emergencies, being trained and prepared can mean the difference between life and death." The event aims to not merely inform but actively engage the community in safeguarding not just themselves but those among them.
The initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Montgomery County Medical Reserve Corps, bears the promise of something more foundational than mere formalities. Participants will be thrust into practical learning scenarios covering bleeding control, narcan use, and CPR—skills that, when called upon, emerge as the bridge between calamity and control. Beyond these, attendees will learn to craft emergency plans tailor-made for the unforeseen nature of disasters or emergencies.
OEMHS Director Luke Hodgson told the city's publication, "By learning hands-on techniques like Narcan administration, hands-only CPR bleeding control and how to prepare families for disaster, our community members are taking the necessary steps to help our community during emergencies or disasters." This statement implicitly calls on the community to act, urging everyone—from local residents to members of community organizations—to participate. It reflects the county's belief in the power of a prepared community.
