Ga. emergency workers aid in bridging language barrier

Bridging the language barrier

By Todd South
Chattanooga Times Free Press

DALTON, Ga. — First responders are reaching out to Dalton's non-English speaking residents to educate them on how to respond to a chemical accident.

A meeting this week was the first of its kind focused on chemical spills, said Joanne Mauro, spokeswoman for the North Georgia Health District. She said the instruction regarding chemical incidents is important.

"There has to be trust between you and the authorities," she told local residents. "You need to know how to seal your house. It's something we all need to be aware of."

A $5,000 Citizens' Corps grant allowed the health district to purchase 100 emergency kits, food and an interpreter for the community meeting.

There were 67 families at the meeting, Ms. Mauro said. Representatives from the city and county fire departments, Dalton police and various emergency services explained their roles during a chemical spill incident.

Also this week, 10 agencies took in an emergency drill to practice their parts if a chemical release occurs. The drills were recommended by a federal agency that investigated the 2004 spill at MFG Chemical near Dalton, which sent 200 people to the hospital.

Whitfield County Emergency Management Director Jeffrey Putnam said the Hispanic outreach session helped Spanish speaking residents understand what is important during an emergency response. He said residents should not be concerned officials will be checking immigration status.

Whitfield County's 911 center uses a three-way calling feature called Language Line that translates when a non-English speaker calls, and the county's emergency notification system, can alert residents to danger in Spanish or in English.

"It's an automated process, we can speak or type in text and it will translate the message," Mr. Putnam said.

Ms. Mauro said the health district has funds remaining to hold another session, but has not yet scheduled one.

Copyright 2008 Chattanooga Times Free Press