K-State Research and Extension Teaming with National Network
LIBERAL, Kan. -- K-State Research and Extension is teaming up with the Extension Disaster Education Network to host two Strengthening Community Agrosecurity Planning (S-CAP) workshops in Wichita, March 22-23 and Liberal, March 25-26 for individuals in Sedgwick, Seward and nearby counties.
“Kansas has its share of disasters – tornadoes, ice storms, floods – you name it, we probably have it at one time or another,” said Mike Hanson, Seward County Extension director. “Knowing that in any given year, disasters can strike, reinforces the need for improved emergency planning, and unfortunately, agriculture is often one of the most overlooked components of a local emergency operations plan.”
The EDEN S-CAP workshop is geared for community stakeholders who can assist in the enhancement of the local agricultural emergency operations plan. Individuals such as local emergency planning personnel, Extension educators, public health personnel, first responders, elected officials, veterinarians, agricultural producers, and volunteer organization representatives in Sedgwick, Seward and nearby counties are all encouraged to participate.
The March 22-23 S-CAP Workshop will be at the K-State Research and Extension Sedgwick County office at 7001 W. 21st in Wichita. The March 25-26 workshop will be at the Liberal Chamber of Commerce building, 4 Rock Island Road in Liberal.
According to Ricky L. Shellenbarger, emergency management planner for Sedgwick County Emergency Management, “Grain cooperatives, semi-tankers, railroad tank cars, and manufacturing plants are just some examples of the many potential rural and urban areas that could be a health and safety threat to anyone who lives, works, or drives in Sedgwick County. This program will aid individuals in developing or improving their emergency plans, as well as awareness and preparedness to minimize or eliminate the possibility of an emergency or disaster in their area.”
Workshop participants will work together in teams to develop the portion of their plan that deals with agriculture, natural resources, pets, and related issues. They will also work on standard operating guidelines and resource lists required for response to an agricultural emergency.
Farmers, ranchers, emergency planners, first responders, elected officials, veterinarians and other interested individuals should contact either Gary Cramer in the K-State Research and Extension Sedgwick County office at 316-660-0100 or gcramer@ksu.edu or Mike Hanson in the Seward County Extension office at 620-624-5604 or mhanson2@ksu.edu to reserve a space at one of the workshops.
“We’d like to see individuals from Seward, Stevens, Grant, Haskell, Gray, Meade and other nearby counties participate in the Liberal workshop and Reno, Harvey, Butler, Cowley, Sumner, Harper and Kingman counties and other nearby counties in the Wichita workshop,” Cramer said.
There is no fee to participate in the workshops, but for planning purposes, organizers request that attendees register. Early registration for the Sedgwick County workshop is March 17 and for the Seward County workshop, March 18.
General information about the EDEN S-CAP project can be found online at http://www.eden.lsu.edu/s-cap. More information about emergency preparedness and disaster recovery resources available through K-State Research and Extension is available at http://www.kseden.ksu.edu.
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