AgdaPkt 2008-01-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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handout materials. This is essentially the same program that staff described as Personal Emergency Preparedness (PEP) in the April 23, 2007, Council Report on Disaster Preparedness. This one-time, three-hour class is designed to equip residents with the skills necessary to prepare for a disaster, and care for themselves and their families for up to 72 hours afterwards. 78 Page 2 In this short introduction, participants will learn the following basic preparedness skills: . How to develop a disaster plan . What to do before, during and after a disaster . Essential emergency supplies to have on hand . How to locate and control utilities in the home · Ways to mitigate hazards in and around the home . Basic fire extinguisher techniques It is staffs' conclusion that the addition of this shorter program will allow more people in the community to familiarize themselves with the basics of emergency preparedness. It will also enable them to be more self-assured and less dependent on city services or the CERT teams in the event of an emergency. This program offers stand-alone emergency planning and preparedness guidance and serves as an introduction for those who may be considering participating in future CERT classes. The CERT program, through the efforts of the community team members, has been the recipient of grant monies for a CERT Trailer located in the Woodside Plaza area and additional equipment, including Automatic External Defibrillators. Grants have been received from the Sequoia Health Care District, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Baskin Robbins, and the San Mateo Credit Union to name a few. Staff will continue to pursue grant opportunities as they are identified. In addition to the trailer, there is a container in the Fair Oaks neighborhood that is similarly equipped. The intent is to increase the number of trailers available to the city. Ideally, one trailer per Neighborhood Association would be put into service over time. This would mean that funding for another nine trailers would need to be secured. These trailers would be stocked with a wide array of emergency medical supplies, basic first aid kits, trauma kits, communications equipment, search and rescue supplies, as well as a limited amount of food and water. While the trailers are a valuable asset, they are also very costly at approximately $40,000 each and would require alternative funding sources for acquisition. The San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services (DES) has provided all of our teaching and student materials for the CERT program to date. DES received a federal grant, which has enabled them to distribute training binders, and team supply backpacks to program participants. They have been providing baCkpacks ($25 each) and binders ($20 each) since the city first began offering CERT classes in 2006, at approximately 50 participants per class. This cooperative relationship with the County DES has allowed staff to provide student manuals and back packs to our CERT members without cost to the city. There is no estimate for how long these donations will continue, so sustaining funding will be a concern.