Underserved Arkansas community learns emergency response skills [Video]

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — One of Arkansas’ most underserved populations received hands-on training Friday in emergency response.

A dozen members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community came together for Community Emergency Response Team Training at the Arkansas School for the Deaf.

“It’s about neighbors helping neighbors in all communities,” ADEM Community Preparedness Coordinator Gary Ragen said. “In a disaster, it’s not like what you see on TV with fire trucks and EMTs everywhere. It may be some time before you receive help.”

That’s why Ragen with ADEM ensures the hard-of-hearing and deaf communities are equipped with these lifesaving skills. 

“How to put out fires, work in disaster situations, care for patients, first aid, search and rescue, all these different skills necessary for a disaster that they can help within their communities as …