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| Russ Gaeddert (center), Disaster Management program director and instructor, points to the region of the U.S. affected by Hurricane Katrina for two freshmen, Ashley Young, Yuma, Colo., and Kevin Miller, Middlebury, Ind. |
September 1, 2005
Hurricane Katrina was the main
topic of discussion Tuesday, August 30, during the Introduction to
Disaster Management class. The weekly class of 18 students met for
the second time this semester.
Russ Gaeddert, Disaster Management
program director and instructor, said he's been sharing with the students
about disaster management as a whole. "Tuesday, we talked about
the disaster management cycle--preparedness, response, recovery, and
mitigation. Tying that information into what's happening as the result
of Hurricane Katrina makes it real for them."
The class looked at several web
sites, including the Disaster News Network, looking up information
about Hurricane Katrina, and reading stories about people affected
by it.
"In terms of preparedness,
they knew the hurricane was coming," Gaeddert said. "So
we discussed what was done to prepare, like boarding up windows, and
in some cases, evacuation of people. We examined the response, which
involves first-responders, like police, fire, and EMS departments,
as well as the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA), and so on."
"We also checked out the
Mennonite Disaster Service website," he said. "We learned
that they have sent people to the region affected by the hurricane
to investigate how MDS can be involved in the recovery phase."
"Mitigation involves preparation
so the next hurricane isn't so devastating, like building levees,
and so on," he explained.
"We also talked about the
fact that perhaps some of the students in the Disaster Management
program will work there next summer for their required 10-week field
experience," Gaeddert said.
"In talking about the hurricane,
it's easy to get wrapped up in the breadth of the devastation,"
he said. "But it hits home when you hear how people were affected,
and how many lives were lost. MDS is about helping survivors recover
from this hurricane and other disasters."
"The devastation and the
loss of life is sobering," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers
are certainly with the people affected."
During the MDS culture class today
(Sept. 1), Gaeddert spent time following-up on Tuesday's discussion
about the hurricane, since most of the same students are in both classes.
"We also discussed what MDS is doing in the aftermath of the
hurricane, and what it will be doing in the next several weeks,"
Gaeddert said.
Kevin Miller, a freshman from
Middlebury, Ind., called Hurricane Katrina "terrible." He
added, "I feel like I want to do something to be a part of the
response and recovery. I also feel for the people who have survived."
Miller said being enrolled in
Disaster Management classes has changed how he views a disaster like
Hurricane Katrina. "We definitely focus on the response and helping
people rather than feeling overwhelmed. It also makes you realize
how much of a need there is for this type of job."
Ashley Young, a freshman from
Yuma, Colo., commented on the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. "It
affected so many people and it will be a long time before they can
get back to their regular lives," she said. "It's incredible
what they've gone through and survived. It will make them stronger
in the end."
Young also said attending Disaster
Management classes has affected her response to a disaster like Hurricane
Katrina. "It makes me more aware and feel responsible. All of
us would like to have graduated from the Disaster Management program
already so we could be down there helping the people."
Miller and Young are enrolled
in both classes. They are two of the nine students who are pursuing
a two-year degree in Disaster Management at Hesston College.
Both classes are new this semester,
and are part of the Disaster Management program that began this fall.
The program is a unique partnership between MDS and Hesston College,
designed to train future MDS leaders who will serve at local disaster
sites.