Rotarians prepare to respond to disasters

Pictured: Russell Koon, Disaster Aid USA representative, and Chuck Fair, Byesville Rotary President. 

Russell Koon, a member of the Cheat Lake Rotary in West Virginia, spoke to Byesville Rotarians about a new organization--Disaster Aid USA. Koon explained this program is a Rotarian operated project that provides shelter, clean water systems, tools, and other items to survivors of disasters in the United States and worldwide. Disaster Aid-USA partners with Disaster Aid Australia, Disaster Aid UK and Ireland, and Disaster Aid Malaysia. The organization also co-ordinates with the Red Cross, FEMA, the Salvation Army, and local Rotarians to provide disaster relief.

In the US, one goal of Disaster Aid USA is to provide a disaster response unit in each of the Rotary Zones. Koon reported that two units have been purchased and furnished with supplies. These units consist of a trailer equipped with tools needed to respond effectively to a disaster. The trailer will be accompanied by trained Rotarian and non-Rotarian volunteers who will work with other disaster relief agencies to help rebuild communities.

Other equipment supplied to disaster victims includes a “Family Survival Box” equipped with an 8 person tent, water containers, mosquito nets, a multi-fuel stove, pots, pans, silverware, tools, rope and other tools plus school packs for children, thermal blankets and a mobile multi-use container. The boxes are blue and yellow to reflect its Rotary roots and connections. Each box is equipped with wheels and handles for easier movement. Multiple tents can be combined to serve as first-aid stations or schools for up to 80 children.

Other types of equipment that can be deployed as needed include the SkyHydrant which cleans enough water to provide water for a village, family water filters, and solar powered lights. Life boxes containing clothing, bedding, housewares, tools, toiletries and medicals and miscellaneous supplies such as soap, candles, needles and thread are supplied in areas where tents are not needed.

Koon pointed out that although Disaster Aid USA is only 5 years old, the organization has been busy responding to disasters such as the 2013 tornado disaster in Moore, Oklahoma, 2012 Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey, 2012 Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana as well as disasters in Haiti, the Philippines and Africa.

Connect with Byesville Rotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting.

 

Rolling Hills Resource Officer shares big idea with Byesville Rotary

Pictured: Chuck Fair, Byesville Rotary President; Deputy Chad Kerns, Resource Officer for Rolling Hills School District; and Becky Brunner, Speaker Chair for January.

Deputy Chad Kerns is organizing a safety program on the topic of the dangers of distracted driving. His goal is to reach all of the high school students in Guernsey County. To meet this goal, Kerns has developed a coalition of each of the school districts in Guernsey County and has enlisted the support of law enforcement agencies in the county.

The main speaker at this program will be Dom Tiberi. It is unusual for Tiberi to present “Marie’s Message” outside of Franklin County. One reason he agreed to come to Guernsey County is because of the large number of students he will be able to reach at one meeting. A second reason is because Deputy Kerns is passionate about reaching out to young people and talking about how to be a safe and responsible driver. He also will not take “No” for an answer.

Deputy Kerns is raising money to insure this program is a success. He plans to bus all sophomores, juniors, seniors from each of the county high schools to Prichard Laughlan and to provide a live feed of the program to local high schools so that all freshmen will be able to participate in the program.

Kerns’ goal is to raise at least $2000. He wants to donate $500 to each high school to help defray the cost of transporting their students to the event. He hopes to raise additional funds to provide incentives for the young people attending the program. Donations can be made to the “School Resource Officer Fund” and mailed to: Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #136, 601 Southgate Parkway. Cambridge Ohio 43725. Contact kerns3sro@gmail.com for additional information.

Kerns has been a deputy with the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office for 15 years and is certified as a National Association of School Resource Officer. One of his jobs at Rolling Hills is to teach safety programs on topics such as anti-smoking, anti- drinking and driving, the dangers of texting and driving, bullying, cyber crime, bus safety and gun awareness. His job is not limited to providing safety programs. He believes “kids come first” and will spend 2-3 hours dealing with problems such as bullying. He believes in working to stop problems before they occur.

Connect with Byesville Rotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting.