Tecumseh United Methodist Church Community Disaster Committee

    The Tecumseh Area Response Team meeting was called to order by Herb Whitlow. He asked everyone to introduce themselves as there were several new members. Neva Martin gave a history of the project. She noted that it was an outgrowth of the old Tecumseh Area Emergency group which encompassed only Tecumseh. Due to the many emergencies which have happened to some communities, it was decided to broaden the area .
    Herb explained the area now extends from Baldwin Rd. on the west to Douglas County line on the east -- Turnpike on the south and Kansas River on the north. This has been subdivided into 22 smaller areas. The plan is to have a representative in charge of each area. Maps of the areas are being made by the County and will be given to each representative.
    Special guest, David Sterbenz, Director of the Shawnee County Emergency Management was introduced. Dave has been very active in Community projects for many years and recently went to Mississippi and Greensberg to assist in setting up necessary provisions for the communities. Communities need an established emergency system sert up so everyone works together for the good of all.
    They are presently staffing the Shawnee County Emergency Team. They now have Laura Heier, working as Assistant Chair, and Scott Garcia is the new Office Assistant. They are presently trying to co-ordinate the various city and county offices so they can work efficiently together. They are also co-ordinating the Volunteers in Police Service and the Volunteers in the Medical Emergency Group. Jennifer Stark at the US Weather Bureau is also working with the troup. It has been suggested that maybe a ham radio group would be of help in case phone and or cell phone service was not available. There would be training provided for this service. David wants to be a facilitator and help in any way possible. They have received a $15,000.00 grant to help and have about $8,000.00 in another grant. This will help get things started.
    Herb asked for ideas from the group. Gary Gilbert suggested that we provide a means of keeping track of persons in our areas. Each representative will be responsible for this. Sherry Meier suggested that once we have the names and phone numbers of persons in our areas that we have a pot luck, hot dog feed or some means of getting together and becoming acquainted with the persons in our area. We need to be especially careful to note handicapped or needy persons in each area. We first need to care for ourselves, then our neighbors and then our community. Roy Baughman suggested we have a brochure to give to our neighbors when we contact them so they would know that we are a legitimate group. Also, it was suggested that the CERT brochure that Shawnee County has available be printed with the information on the Tecumseh CERT group.
    A job description will be developed so that all area representatives will be working on the “same page”. Area representatives need to recruit an assistant to be available to help when needed.
    CERT training is free and available to everyone who wishes to attend. If you miss a meeting, you can make it up at a later time. CERT training will be conducted at Tecumseh UMC April 18, 19 & 25 & 26.
    The Tecumseh Church is the designated Disaster Center and David said that he would be working on a source of electricity in case the Church lost its power.
    Herb and Neva are working on responsibilities of each area representative.
    Our next meeting will be May 24, 9:00 am due to the CERT training April 26.
In case of a question you can contact Dave Sterbenz at dave.sterbenz@snco.us