FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Christine Spicer
Media Relations
Point Loma Nazarene University
(619) 849-2925
cspicer@pointloma.edu
Nov. 5, 2008 (San Diego, Calif.) – Another dry year has fire danger high on the list of many Californians’ concerns. Globally, recent years have shown wide-scale devastation from hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis in addition to fires. It is increasingly clear that we need to be as prepared as possible to meet the challenges of future disasters.
On Thursday, Nov. 13 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Point Loma Nazarene University will host “Ready When the Time Comes” (RWTC), a free program designed by the American Red Cross. Participants will be trained to respond as community volunteers in times of crisis.
PLNU’s Relief and Recovery Task Force, which was formed after the 2007 wildfires that ravaged Southern California, is hosting the training sessions.
“Our goal is to prepare our students, faculty, staff, and community members to be ready to help our community during a local or large-scale disaster,” said Becky Modesto, director of community ministries at PLNU.
Once trained, RWTC volunteers will be able to respond in such areas as, sheltering, bulk distribution/logistics, outreach/disaster preparedness education, and serving at call centers.
Modesto reported that more than 100 people have signed up for Saturday’s session and another 40 are planning to attend the Thursday training. Both trainings will be held on Point Loma’s campus in Nicholson Commons. Thursday’s will be in Cunningham, and Saturday’s will be in the Rec. Room. Those interested in attending either training session can contact Modesto at bmodesto@pointloma.edu.
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Point Loma Nazarene University is a selective liberal arts university located in San Diego, California, and sits on a 90-acre campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In addition to more than 50 undergraduate areas of study, PLNU offers graduate program regional centers in Bakersfield, Arcadia, Mission Valley (San Diego) and the Inland Empire. Founded in 1902, PLNU serves more than 3,500 students.