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Laredo Public Health Department hosting safety preparedness workshop

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 12:58 GMT by KGNS-TV
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Laredo Public Health Department Kicks Off Community Safety‑Preparedness Workshop

In a bid to equip residents and local businesses with the tools they need to face natural disasters and public health emergencies, the Laredo Public Health Department (LPHD) held a comprehensive safety‑preparedness workshop on September 15 – 16, 2025. The two‑day event, held at the Laredo Community Center, drew more than 350 participants, ranging from school administrators and emergency responders to small‑business owners and concerned citizens. According to the LPHD’s own press release, the workshop was a collaborative effort between the department, the Laredo Police Department, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), and the Red River Valley Disaster Coalition.

Why Laredo Needs a Dedicated Preparedness Program

The LPHD’s director, Dr. Maria Alvarez, opened the session by outlining the city’s unique risk profile. Laredo sits on the Rio Grande floodplain, sits at the intersection of two major freight corridors, and is a frontline city in the fight against vector‑borne illnesses such as dengue fever, Zika virus, and West Nile virus. The region’s climate—hot summers, occasional monsoon storms, and a history of hurricanes that have washed up on the Texas Gulf Coast—creates a “multi‑hazard” environment. Dr. Alvarez explained that, “Preparedness isn’t just about having a plan; it’s about having a culture that understands risk and acts proactively.”

In a brief slideshow, the LPHD provided recent statistics: 22 flooding incidents in the past decade, 13 confirmed dengue cases in 2024 alone, and 4,000 emergency department visits attributed to heat‑related illness that year. The data was sourced from the Texas DSHS and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both of which were linked in the LPHD’s article to provide further context. The presentation emphasized that the city’s public‑health capacity had been stretched thin during recent crises, underscoring the necessity of community‑level preparedness.

Workshop Structure and Key Topics

The event was divided into three major tracks:

1. Emergency Response Basics
   What to do when the siren sounds: Participants learned how to interpret different emergency alerts, the steps for safe evacuation from various high‑risk zones (e.g., riverbank properties, low‑lying neighborhoods), and how to use the state’s emergency notification system (TEXAS Alerts). A hand‑out, “Laredo Safety Pocket Guide,” was distributed—available in both English and Spanish. The guide’s PDF is linked in the article for those who cannot attend the workshop.

2. Public Health Hygiene & Vector Control
   The role of the community in disease prevention: Local epidemiologists presented a brief on the life cycle of Aedes mosquitoes and the importance of eliminating standing water. Participants were shown how to set up simple, effective mosquito traps, and the LPHD supplied 100 “Mosquito Control Kits” to be shared among households. In addition, a video demonstration on hand‑washing and sanitization was showcased, and participants were given an eight‑step hand‑washing checklist.

3. Business Continuity and Economic Resilience
   Preparing for shutdowns and supply chain disruptions: Small‑business owners attended a session led by the Texas Chamber of Commerce liaison, which covered business‑continuity planning, insurance review, and maintaining essential supplies such as food, water, and medical kits. The workshop also featured a mock drill in which participants practiced a “stay‑home” scenario for a suspected chemical spill, illustrating coordination with local law‑enforcement.

Interactive Elements

To make the learning experience more hands‑on, the workshop incorporated a mock flood drill. Using a model of a downtown Laredo street, volunteers staged a rapid rise in water levels, demonstrating the proper use of sandbags, debris removal techniques, and how to secure electronics and critical documents. The drill was filmed for inclusion in a short safety‑film that will be posted on the LPHD’s YouTube channel, a link that was provided in the article.

The event also included a “Preparedness Challenge” where attendees could earn certificates by completing a series of quizzes covering the three tracks. Certificates were handed out in a closing ceremony, where Dr. Alvarez presented a special “Community Hero” award to a local high‑school environmental science club that had spearheaded a neighborhood clean‑up initiative.

Community Feedback & Next Steps

During the Q&A portion, many participants highlighted the importance of regular community drills and better dissemination of resources. A resident from the West Laredo neighborhood asked for more bilingual instructional videos, prompting the LPHD to commit to a monthly “Preparedness Minute” on both Facebook Live and the local Spanish‑language radio station KLLV.

The LPHD’s article concludes by noting the department’s plans to launch a mobile app, “Laredo Safe Now,” which will provide real‑time alerts, checklists, and a GIS‑enabled hazard map. The app’s beta version will be available for download on both iOS and Android in late October.

Where to Find More Information

The article itself provides direct links to several key resources:

• LPHD Emergency Preparedness Portal – A one‑stop hub that hosts downloadable hand‑outs, video tutorials, and the aforementioned “Laredo Safety Pocket Guide.”
• Texas DSHS Vector‑Borne Illness Page – A detailed report on the city’s recent dengue outbreak and prevention tips.
• Red River Valley Disaster Coalition Calendar – A listing of upcoming drills and community‑based emergency events throughout the Southwest.
• Laredo Community Center Schedule – Future public‑health workshops and training sessions.

The LPHD has also added a section of frequently asked questions (FAQs) that clarify insurance coverage, the role of private‑sector partners, and how to register for the upcoming “Flood‑Preparedness Summit” slated for early next year.

Final Thoughts

The Laredo Public Health Department’s safety‑preparedness workshop was a textbook example of community‑centric public‑health strategy. By combining data‑driven risk assessment with hands‑on drills, expert talks, and inclusive resources, the event offered a tangible blueprint for residents to protect themselves and their families. The links embedded in the original article—pointing to official statistics, instructional materials, and partnership resources—serve not only as a reference but also as a call to action: preparedness is a shared responsibility, and every citizen in Laredo can—and should—play a role.