Convoy of Hope Hosts Disaster Response Exercise
For Immediate Release:
Springfield, Mo. - For years, Springfield-based Convoy of Hope has been a first responder to disasters worldwide. The red, white and blue flagged eighteen-wheelers may in fact be better recognized in places like Florida and the Gulf Coast because of the organization’s frequent disaster relief activity in those areas. But on June 23rd area residents will have an opportunity to experience first hand how the organization’s U.S. Disaster Response Team helps large numbers of victims when a large, highly populated geographic area is hit by catastrophe.
In partnership with Great Southern Bank, Convoy of Hope will host an interactive demonstration of its most frequently used disaster relief Distribution Site model. The U.S. Disaster Response team will be training local volunteers in the drive-through Distribution Site model used to distribute relief items following disasters that hit a large number of people in a widespread area, such as following a hurricane or tornado. The exercise will start at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 23, in the parking lot of the Great Southern Bank Operations Center, 218 S. Glenstone, in Springfield.
There also will be something new in the air that Saturday when Convoy of Hope tests its emergency radio broadcast system. Listeners less than 500’ from the Mobile Command Center’s radio transmitter, will be able to tune into 107.3 FM to hear an informative message.
The public is encouraged to participate in the drive-through distribution site, where it will experience first hand how the U.S. Disaster Response team functions. The participating public will receive bottled water and cleaning supplies, items that are often distributed to victims after the immediate life-sustaining efforts are over, and will have a chance to win one of 50 emergency weather radios that will be given away, courtesy of Great Southern Bank. The Springfield/Greene County Emergency Operations Center also has contributed information packets that will be distributed one to a vehicle.
The Southwest Missouri Amateur Radio Club will simultaneously hold a public demonstration of their emergency communications abilities. Using only emergency power supplies, the local ham operators will construct an emergency communication station to prove that they can send emergency messages without the use of phone systems, internet or any other infrastructure that can be compromised in a crisis.
In the aftermath of widespread natural disasters, personal hygiene items can be impossible to find. Convoy of Hope provides Personal Hygiene Kits, containing items such as washcloths, combs and toiletries, to thousands of victims each year. In times of uncertainty these gifts are a great source of comfort as they help to restore dignity and a sense of normalcy. As hurricane season approaches, the organization looks forward to community groups or individuals sponsoring these much-needed Kits, or donating the funds for Convoy of Hope to secure the items in bulk. Although the total worth for each Kit is only around $5, they are priceless when placed in the hands of a disaster victim. Convoy of Hope will be receiving donations of these kits at the exercise, and at its offices throughout the year.
Note to Media: The Mobile Command Center with its state-of-the-art communications equipment will be functioning as part of the exercise; it will not be open to the general public, but media are welcome.
For more information:
Kristin Kubitschek, Public Relations Director, 417/823-8998 office, 417/894-9084 mobile
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Since 1994, Convoy of Hope™, a nonprofit organization, has provided resources to organizations and churches to meet physical and spiritual needs for the purpose of making the community a better place. This is accomplished through domestic and international outreaches, supply lines, and disaster response.