BY JEFF CLARK

Staff Writer

ABERDEEN - At the inaugural meeting of the Citizens Awareness Program (CAP) organizers Ed Rayfield and John Finn asked the participants a rhetorical question: amp"What are you going to do if a disaster strikes Aberdeen?amp"

amp"We are not trying to scare anyone,amp" Rayfield said. amp"But the city approved an emergency management plan program and it never materialized, so we are to get with the citizens to discuss your concerns and needs and to hopefully form a committee to help facilitate the group's needs. Disasters do not discriminate against anyone.amp"

According to Rayfield, he and Finn offered to create an emergency plan for the City of Aberdeen on a volunteer basis. Rayfield claims the plan the two were creating was to supplement the existing plan with the Monroe County plan, which covers Aberdeen. However, Rayfield alleges the county's plan is classified and that he decided to take action on behalf of Aberdeen citizens.

amp"Monroe County has 122 shelters for storms - are these private shelters or community shelters and where are they?amp" Rayfield asked. amp"We don't know. I hesitate to say someone dropped the ball in telling us what is going on.amp"

Aberdeen Police Chief Henry Randle also addressed those in attendance on the importance of being prepared when disaster strikes.

amp"I served in Katrina and I actually pulled bodies out of vehicles,amp" Randle said. amp"As the military, we did not know what to do. A disaster in Aberdeen is going to involve more th- it's going to involve the whole community. With a police department which is understaffed with 20 people, we can't be everywhere at once. We have a plan in action for the schools, but not for the city - the county has one for the city. I was elected to protect the citizens of Aberdeen and if there is a disaster, I don't want to have to wait on people from the county or Jackson to come in. We are only here to save lives. I am not doing my job if I don't talk to the citizens.amp"

CAP is currently forming a committee of volunteers, according to Rayfield, and the group hopes to meet again in the coming months.