Woodbury County holds first disaster survival training

SALIX, Iowa (KCAU) — Responding effectively to an emergency situation can save time and possibly a person’s life. That’s the message emergency managers from Woodbury County are stressing as they begin a summer-long series of free disaster survival training sessions .

More specifically, presenters say the goal is to help prepare participants for the first 72 hours following any major disaster. Something as simple as knowing where the deed to a house is can make a difference when disaster strikes.

Emergency management coordinator Michael Montino calls preparedness a shared responsibility. He said proactive steps can safeguard people during a disaster.

“So the more prepared our citizens are, the better they are going to be able to deal with those types of emergencies,” Montino said. “Be able to adapt and overcome, and ultimately, their community’s more resilient in the process. And when you minimize those catastrophic emergencies, it allows all of our resources to be able to be utilized for the ones who really need all the help.”

Tuesday night’s session was held at the Salix Community Center. Three training sessions remain on the schedule:

• June 25 at the Security Institute at 4647 Stone Avenue in Sioux City
• June 27 at the Moville Fire Station at 24 West Main Street in Moville
• July 2 at the Smithland Fire Station at 112 Hickory Street in Smithland

Each session will run from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

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