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JACKSON, Tenn. — Dec. 21, 2005 — Disaster preparation will be the topic for the next Town and Gown series at 51����.

The five-week course entitled “Disaster in the Making: Preparing Jackson for Disaster” will begin Jan. 3 and will feature lectures from Union faculty members and others with expertise in disaster preparation.

Kevin Cooney, associate professor of political science at Union, said the course will teach people how to respond to a variety of disasters.

“A lot of people don’t give much thought to how they should respond when a disaster hits,” Cooney said. “This course will help people with personal preparation, and it will help them know what to expect from the government, as well as what they need to expect from themselves in the wake of a disaster.”

The class is free and open to the public. Those attending may listen to lectures and participate in class discussions.

The class will be held each Tuesday night for five weeks, with two lectures each night – one at 6 p.m. and one at 8 p.m. The class will meet in D-3 in the Penick Academic Complex.

The schedule of topics for the class is as follows:

• Jan. 3
  • 6 p.m. – Class overview and introduction to the potential disasters faced by Jackson and Madison County, presented by Cooney.
  • 8 p.m. – “Terrorism: What is it and is it a threat to Jackson?” presented by Cooney.
• Jan. 10
  • 6 p.m. – “Avian ‘bird’ flu and bio-terrorism,” presented by Kim Tedford and Ami Sklar of the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department.
  • 8 p.m. – “Personal medical preparedness: What should you be ready for?” presented by Tharon Kirk, chair of undergraduate programs in 51����’s nursing department.
• Jan. 17
  • 6 p.m. – “Earthquakes: Is the threat is real and Jackson could be next?” presented by Gary Patterson, information services director for the Center of Earthquake Research and Information at the University of Memphis.
  • 8 p.m. – “Disaster response and recovery,” presented by Charlie Bryant, regional director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.
• Jan. 24
  • 6 p.m. – “People helping people: Aid in time of disaster,” presented by Ron Smith and volunteers from the American Red Cross of Jackson.
  • 8 p.m. – “Preparing financially for disaster,” presented by Kenny Holt, associate professor of business at 51����.
• Jan. 31
  • 6 p.m. – Town hall meeting, “The first 72 hours: What to expect from government after a disaster and what you must do for yourselves.” Cooney will serve as moderator, with a panel consisting of Mike Morgan, fire chief for the city of Jackson; Marty Clements and Cory Lay, of the Madison County Emergency Management Agency; Edmond Cepparulo and Rick Staples, of the Jackson Police Department; Tedford and Bryant.
  • 8 p.m. – Class wrap-up, “Your personal disaster plan,” presented by Cooney.

For more information, call Cooney at (731) 661-5103.