Better to be prepared than sorry, disaster prep panelists say

By Tariqah Shakir-Muhammad -The Final Call- | Last updated: Feb 27, 2017 - 11:58:17 AM

Disaster and Emergency Management group panel. Photo: Hannibal Muhammad

DETROIT (Cobo Center)—The Disaster and Emergency Management group conducted a workshop that included free health and CPR screenings and descriptions of jobs available in the field for the youth.

Presenters said the group’s mission is to provide the best information to keep people informed and fully prepared in case of a natural disaster or emergency. Speakers included William Muhammad, Rudolph T. Muhammad, Joseph Muhammad and Reginald Muhammad. All are health and safety or medical professionals.

Joseph Muhammad introduced the workshop as a tool that members of the Nation of Islam should take and spread to others. “Do you know where you’ll be when a disaster strikes?” he asked the audience, using the attacks on September 11 on the World Trade Center as an example of the extent and surprise of how disasters can happen. “We always have to be in the right mind, particularly as it relates to disaster preparedness.”

William Muhammad defined specific terms used in disaster and preparedness studies, including survive, hazard, vulnerable, disaster, preparedness, prepare, mitigate, response, rescue, recovery, perspective and infrastructure.

Rudolph Muhammad introduced the duties and responsibilities of an emergency manager. Three completely different job descriptions and functions go on at a time of an emergency, he explained. Those descriptions include the victim, the first-responder who will primarily respond based on survival motives and the emergency manager who is responsible for facilitating goods and services to the team.

“We’re all managers—mothers and fathers, you are managers. This generation, we are taught, is the best generation we ever created,” he said. “The scripture says ‘older ones for counsel, younger ones for war’—well you have to have guidance in fighting a war lest you yourself get injured or may be killed or get others killed.”

He also demonstrated procedures for handling a person who is choking and the basics of CPR.

A short video from hip hop artist and producer KRS-One was shown to encourage a list of survival necessities such as water, medication, a functioning radio, dried foods and replacement batteries. Student M.G.T. Captain Christina Muhammad of Houston and members of the Inner-City Emergency Response team further explained the importance of reacting in cases of emergency with effectiveness and purpose.

“He [the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan] has never lied to us.” she stated. “He said to watch the weather, he told us about Trump—he told us about these important things and he said you’ve got to prepare to be ready. We’re taught that you don’t need permission to do right, you just gotta move right.”

Attendee Joy Muhammad of London commented, “Today’s event, I feel, is very necessary. I do my own preparations at home in London. I chose to come to this event today because I wanted to see what else, what other information I could receive in regards to my prepared backpack. I found some other recourses that I could have a look into once I get home. It was very informative.

“I’d like to see them go to every single mosque that will have them. I’d like to see them come to London,” she said.

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