The Nashville Church of Scientology observed World Civil Defense Day March 1st with a special workshop called "Survival Training."
Nashville, TN, March 6, 2016 (Newswire.com) - The Nashville Church of Scientology marked World Civil Defense Day March 1 by hosting a workshop where emergency management experts shared their skill and experience with those attending.
Although Nashville has been fortunate not to have any major disasters since the record-breaking flood six years ago, organizers say vigilance is key. “You never know when something disastrous will happen, but you are always better off if you’re prepared,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church.
"Anyone of any culture or creed may train as a Volunteer Minister and use these tools to help their families and communities, and all are welcome to do so. The site contains free online training to be fully prepared to help in any disaster situation."
Rev. Brian Fesler, Pastor of the Church
World Civil Defense Day was created by the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO) General Assembly in 1990, and is celebrated every year on March 1. According to ICDO this day has two main purposes: to alert people to the vital importance of civil protection including preparedness, prevention and self-protection; and to pay tribute to all who serve in times of disaster. And the workshop was held to carry out these mandates.
Guest speakers from Hands On Nashville and the Office of Emergency Management coached attendees on how to help others during a disaster and how to assemble a home emergency kit to not be caught off guard should disaster strike.
Fesler explained how the Church of Scientology becomes involved during times of disaster. Scientology Volunteer Ministers are specially trained in organizing, communication skills and helping people who are traumatized—vital skills in any disaster situation. They mobilize in disaster response teams in their communities and many Volunteer Ministers travel to distance locations to help in times of severe need, such as the 2004 South Asia tsunami, the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, and the 2010 Haiti and 2015 Nepal earthquakes.
“Anyone of any culture or creed may train as a Volunteer Minister and use these tools to help their families and communities, and all are welcome to do so,” Fesler said. He referred guests to the website, volunteerministers.org, and told them, “the site contains free online training to be fully prepared to help in any disaster situation.”
In creating the Volunteer Ministers program, Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote, “If one does not like the crime, cruelty, injustice and violence of this society, he can do something about it. He can become a Volunteer Minister and help civilize it, bring it conscience and kindness and love and freedom from travail by instilling into it trust, decency, honesty and tolerance.”
For more information about Scientology or the Volunteer Ministers, visit scientology-ccnashville.org.
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