Page 14 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2022

COAST NOTE
story by Gabbie Bowden photos courtesy of The Mississippi Disaster
and Conservation Corps
Mississippi’s first-ever disaster corps, The Mississippi Disaster and Conservation Corps (MDCC), began as the non-profit brainchild of Jourdan Hartshorn.
“I was working with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation after Hurricane Zeta and was assigned to donations with Harrison County
Emergency Management,” he says. “We were in the middle of the pandemic, and there were around 30 storms that season. COVID-19 affected the response rate, so there weren’t the big one hundred- or two-
hundred-man teams coming in, just small teams. We requested help, but we couldn’t get it because people were down with COVID, and people were
exhausted.” In this aftermath, one question remained constant in Jourdan’s mind – why doesn’t Mississippi have its own disaster board?
Now, almost one year after the project’s official incorporation in 2021, the corps has graduated its first class and is working ahead of schedule to secure grants, donations,
and, of course, manpower. “We have a FEMA-approved curriculum, and we’re going into the community teaching a three-day course that includes light search and rescue, disaster psychology, triage, extinguishing small fires, and more. It’s not only helping us recruit volunteers, but it’s making individuals more prepared to help family and neighbors in times of crisis.” Thanks to support from the Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort, MDCC provided relief to Kentucky in the aftermath of their recent tornados, proving the corps’ mission to serve not just the state of Mississippi, but any neighboring state in crisis as
well. They have also received 500 disaster kits from the Home Depot Foundation, which include the necessary essentials for cleanup and relief from natural disasters.
In addition to disaster relief, the corps has also partnered with the Home Depot Foundation to begin conservation, beautification, and mitigation efforts during down seasons. With the blessing and aid of the Harrison County Beautification Commission, the corps is revitalizing two Harrison County parks, their first-ever conservation effort. “We’re a very fresh organization,” says Jordan, “but we’re already making an impact.”
To get involved and support the corps’ mission, become a fan of Mississippi Disaster and Conservation Corps on www.gulfcoasthub.org, and be sure to like and follow them on Facebook for updates.
The Mississippi Disaster and Conservation Corps Facebook @MississippiDisasterCorps
14 | March 2022
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living