The Herald-News - News Story

While Rhea County children were making snowmen and sledding last weekend, some residents shivered in their houses, helplessly stranded without heat or water and hoping for relief.

In the Luminary community on Dayton Mountain, the power was out almost all weekend. Pastor Paul Daniel of Frostbite House of Prayer and his wife, Judy, were among the hundreds without electricity.

But instead of just trying to keep his family warm, he decided to venture out into the storm to find others who desperately needed heat.

Daniel received several calls that elderly people in the Luminary area required help, so he and about 10 other people set out to plow the roads to their houses and give them kerosene heaters and water.

"It was a very dangerous situation," said Daniel. "I was very worried for them."

Daniel spoke of an elderly woman who was bedridden, so when the power went off, her husband roamed the streets in search of someone to help her. He finally found a neighbor, who got in touch with Daniel.

Another woman lost her power when a tree fell on her electric box, so Daniel and his crew provided relief for her as well.

By the end of the weekend, he had rescued five or six families from the frosty temperatures.
Volunteer Energy Cooperative (VEC) restored power to most of the mountain by Monday, but until then, citizens like Daniel were instrumental in keeping some folks safe.

"Just being prepared can be the difference between life or death, especially for someone with no heat," said Daniel.

In an effort to enhance such preparation, Daniel and many others in the Luminary community have joined a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

CERT is a hands-on government program that certifies regular citizens to perform life-saving skills in the event of an emergency and in the absence of professional aid.

Daniel attended the first of nine weekly sessions on Tuesday and will be trained in fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.

"I think it will be great for us," said Daniel. "It's good to have that training."

Those interested in joining CERT should call Daniel at 533-2092 or show up at a session. The free classes are 7 p.m. EST every Tuesday night at Frostbite House of Prayer at 10161
Summer City Road. Eight more sessions are left in the program this time around.

"We care about our community and neighbors," said Daniel. "We help out in whatever way we can."

Michelle Friesen can be reached at michelle.friesen@rheaheraldnews.com.