Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Share
Windsorites will be trained to COPE
Weekend program will help train neighborhood leaders
by Matthew Hall
News Editor
Thanks to the recent images of hurricane ravaged Texas and close proximity to the seismically active Geysers, local residents should be well motivated to prepare for an emergency. However, officials fear most residents have not developed appropriate plans in case of a disaster and the Town will host a Disaster Preparedness Training Day on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Center at 901 Adele Drive to help jump-start emergency preparedness.
The free event will include training, question and answer sessions and the opportunity to purchase emergency supplies from vendors.
Katie Straley of the Windsor Police Department emergency responders would not be able to respond to all calls during a serious catastrophe and that educated residents would be their neighbors best hope for help.
“We want the residents to be prepared because in the event of a disaster we won’t be able to get out and help everybody in the community,” she said. “The more people that are prepared that can help each other will give us time to save lives and rebuild the Town’s infrastructure.”
The Town has solicited the help of Paul Hess, City of Santa Rosa Emergency Services Coordinator, on Citizens Organized to Prepare for Emergencies (COPE) who will conduct a two-hour training session for citizens wanting to become block leaders to organize their neighborhood street.
The mission of COPE is to help residents, families and neighborhoods become and remain better prepared to respond to and recover from emergency situations. This program is active in the City of Santa Rosa and has been adopted by cities throughout California.
Hess said he would explain the importance of preparing for the unforeseen and hopefully motivate attendants to take the time to evaluate the needs of the people around them during an emergency. “We will explain why it is important to take time out of their day and invest three to five hours to get ready,” he said. “We’ll go over the hazards, how serious they are and talk about the people themselves.”
As a regular public speaker, Hess said he routinely asks audiences how many of them consider themselves prepared and rarely sees more than five percent respond positively. He said a slightly higher percentage had taken the time to secure home insurance. “I tell them ‘That’s great for the house but what have you done for the people that live inside?’ and I just get blank stares.”
Part of the training will help residents develop neighborhood plans that identify which neighbors have vital skills, where useful tools and equipment is located and establish which community members may need more help. Hess said much of the training will capitalize on people’s natural response to emergencies, such as checking on family first then looking outside at the damage, and channel those reactions into more efficient and more effective responses. “ This gives them an organized structure,” he said. “It’s all about basically securing the safety of your neighborhood or business neighborhood.”
Various emergency services vendors will be at the training day to provide information. Emergency kits will be available for sale along with information on how to plan for a disaster.
To participate in this program either as a vendor or block leader, contact Katie Straley, Administrative Aide, Windsor Police Department at 707-838-1234. For more information on the COPE program visit www.cope.srcity.org.
The free event will include training, question and answer sessions and the opportunity to purchase emergency supplies from vendors.
Katie Straley of the Windsor Police Department emergency responders would not be able to respond to all calls during a serious catastrophe and that educated residents would be their neighbors best hope for help.
“We want the residents to be prepared because in the event of a disaster we won’t be able to get out and help everybody in the community,” she said. “The more people that are prepared that can help each other will give us time to save lives and rebuild the Town’s infrastructure.”
The Town has solicited the help of Paul Hess, City of Santa Rosa Emergency Services Coordinator, on Citizens Organized to Prepare for Emergencies (COPE) who will conduct a two-hour training session for citizens wanting to become block leaders to organize their neighborhood street.
The mission of COPE is to help residents, families and neighborhoods become and remain better prepared to respond to and recover from emergency situations. This program is active in the City of Santa Rosa and has been adopted by cities throughout California.
Hess said he would explain the importance of preparing for the unforeseen and hopefully motivate attendants to take the time to evaluate the needs of the people around them during an emergency. “We will explain why it is important to take time out of their day and invest three to five hours to get ready,” he said. “We’ll go over the hazards, how serious they are and talk about the people themselves.”
As a regular public speaker, Hess said he routinely asks audiences how many of them consider themselves prepared and rarely sees more than five percent respond positively. He said a slightly higher percentage had taken the time to secure home insurance. “I tell them ‘That’s great for the house but what have you done for the people that live inside?’ and I just get blank stares.”
Part of the training will help residents develop neighborhood plans that identify which neighbors have vital skills, where useful tools and equipment is located and establish which community members may need more help. Hess said much of the training will capitalize on people’s natural response to emergencies, such as checking on family first then looking outside at the damage, and channel those reactions into more efficient and more effective responses. “ This gives them an organized structure,” he said. “It’s all about basically securing the safety of your neighborhood or business neighborhood.”
Various emergency services vendors will be at the training day to provide information. Emergency kits will be available for sale along with information on how to plan for a disaster.
To participate in this program either as a vendor or block leader, contact Katie Straley, Administrative Aide, Windsor Police Department at 707-838-1234. For more information on the COPE program visit www.cope.srcity.org.
Share this Article
 |
 |
|
| Solar Sonoma shines a light on alternative power | Investment pros advise caution after wild week |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of sonomawest.com.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
