Two volunteers with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Bureau are now better prepared for local disasters and terrorist attacks.

Louis DeGruy	Stephen Chunn
EMS Volunteers

Stephen Chunn, of Bartlett, a certified First Responder and corporal on the Sheriff’s Emergency Services Squad, and Louis DeGruy, III, of Collierville, a private and a certified Emergency Medical Technician on the squad, recently completed intensive homeland security training at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama.

Chunn, a volunteer with the Sheriff’s Emergency Squad since 2004 and DeGruy, III, a volunteer since 2000, joined emergency responders from the Memphis area and other communities across the country for the classes held December 9-14.

“I commend these volunteers for taking their personal time to gain new knowledge about homeland security issues. Not only did they learn the latest tactics for identifying and responding to terrorist events, but they worked along side of other local responders. These partnerships make the difference in a time of crisis,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

The was the first time the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Squad volunteers trained with other representatives of local hospitals, ambulance services and fire departments at FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness. The center is the only federally-chartered Weapons of Mass Destruction training facility in the nation.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Squad has 82 volunteers who respond to emergency medical calls, search and rescue missions, and give support to Sheriff’s Deputies during neighborhood crime suppression initiatives. Volunteers also provide emergency medical care at community events.

For membership, volunteers must pass various medical training courses and attend routine refresher courses. Squad members are required to serve 24 hours each month.

Those interested in becoming a volunteer may call the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Bureau at (901) 867-1440.