After a brief pause, Herriman’s own Columbus Adult Education Center has resumed free community emergency education classes. Earlier this year, community members opted to hold the classes in place of an annual emergency preparedness fair that has partnered in the past with local church groups and the city. 

“We decided to do a series of classes on a variety of topics and hopefully, get more people inspired about self-reliance and emergency prep,” class director Scott Maw said. “This is a new way to reach out to the community on these topics.”

Classes began in April, took a hiatus for the summer to accommodate busy schedules and center closures, and resumed in September. The last class of the year will be held on Nov. 14, and plans for courses next year are already underway. 

“The city wholeheartedly supports any community effort to be as prepared as possible for disasters or other emergency situations,” city officials said. “It’s always a good time to get started or take the next step in our emergency planning.”

Taught by various teachers, classes offer information about lifesaving first aid, food storage, canning, cooking, emergency supplies and how to survive an emergency with limited medical assistance. 

“We need to know how to keep our families healthy and avoid medical emergencies,” center director Shandra Madsen said via the center’s Facebook page.

Gavin Rich, president of West Jordan preparedness company Shield-Safety, presented last month’s class, and the November class will be taught by emergency preparation and self-reliance specialist Larry Madsen, who is also the center director’s father-in-law. 

During lessons, presenters demonstrate products, display food and first aid supplies and use PowerPoint presentations to lead discussions. “Some instructors are professionals, but a lot just have a passion for and a special interest in these topics and have become great knowledge sources,” Maw said. 

Everyone is welcome to attend classes, and no registration is required. “All of us have areas where we could be better prepared for emergencies and disasters, sometimes in ways we aren’t even aware of,” Maw said. The monthly courses are geared toward adults and older teens. 

“It's more important than ever that we know how to protect and keep our city safe during an emergency,” Shandra Madsen said. “We are seeing back east that there is very little medical care available in some of the hardest hit areas. This could be our area following a major earthquake.”

“The city and its first responders, as dedicated and hardworking as they are, cannot solve every problem quickly in a wide-scale emergency,” the city said. “Public safety personnel and other emergency responders will provide help as quickly as they can, but in many cases, it’s up to the community and individual families to be as prepared as they can be.”

The center uses local churches, group chats and newsletters to advertise. “All interested individuals are encouraged to come! They have been very interesting classes. Lots of perspectives on ways to be prepared. It’s a great way to learn,” Maw said. 

“Spread the word!” Shandra Madsen said. “Hope to see you there!”

The last class of the year will be Nov. 14 from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. in the basement Community Room of the Columbus Center at 13011 Pioneer St. Use the east entrance. λ