Haz. Middle School named radiation screening center

Hazlehurst Middle School has been designated as a community reception center by the  Mississippi State Department of Health, Division of Radiological Health, at which population monitoring will be conducted.

Members of The Mississippi Radiation Response Volunteer Corps demonstrated screening for radioactive contamination on Monday, May 23, at Hazlehurst Middle School. The screening which is called “Population Monitoring” is necessary to ensure the health and safety of the public in the event of a radiological incident or disaster.

In the event of a radiological incident, the public will report to the school to be individually screened for any radioactive contamination.

At the end of the information session at the school, five teachers registered to join the corps. Flora McKay, Wilma Richardson, Connie Jones, Alondria Owens, and Connie Crosby will receive free training sponsored by the Corps.

Upon completion of the training, the teachers will become credentialed to perform population monitoring. The teachers will dedicate a total of 12 hours to receive their certification and badges. Teachers can also receive continuing education credits (ceu).Though the information session was presented to teachers, persons 18 years or older are encouraged to register as a volunteer.

It was noted during the session, that the agencies responsible for responding to a radiation emergency, could quickly be overwhelmed and would not be able to adequately carry out their duties, and serve the public.  For this reason, states are organizing and training volunteer units to help meet the needs of the public in the event of a radiological disaster. The Mississippi Radiation Response Volunteer Corps is also a unit of the National Medical Reserve Corps, which is sponsored by The United States Office of the Surgeon General. The Mississippi Radiation Response Volunteer Corps is housed in The Mississippi State Department of Health, Division of Radiological Health.

For more information about the Mississippi Radiation Response Volunteer Corps, please go to the website at www.msdh.state.ms.us, click on volunteering, then click on Mississippi Radiation Response Volunteer Corps. Feel free to also contact the Unit Leader, Sandra Stringfellow at (601) 987-6893.