This is strictly a local group, but maybe others can get some ideas. Watch us on

Subject: IMPORTANT: Upcoming Planning Sessions-Disaster-Proofing Communi Sent: 6/22/19 1:23 AM Received: 6/22/99 2:02 PM From: Rogue Valley Y2k Task Force, countdown@rv-y2k.org To: countdown@rv-y2k.org

PLEASE COME BE A PART!! Please pass this message along to others whom you feel would be interested in participating in these two events.

VALLEY-WIDE CONTINGENCY PLANNING SESSIONS FOR SEPTEMBER "BE AWARE & PREPARE" MONTH Making Communities Disaster-Proof -- Broad-based Emergency Management including a Y2k Component

DATE: Saturday June 26 TIME: 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. LOCATION: In the SOU (THAT'S SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY) Family Housing Offices (corner Wightman and Quincy) Planning Session to pencil out ideas/events/activities we can calendar for September "Be Aware & Prepare" Month http://www.rv-y2k.org/proclam.htm. Simple, doable strategies* that will work for our Rogue Valley communities and that can be modeled for the nation.

DATE: Tuesday June 29 TIME: 7:00 p.m. LOCATION: The Senior Center, 1699 Homes Avenue, Ashland (in Hunter Park behind Walker School) After reading the Senate Testimony (Liza's and all the Addendums), the CBS Network show hosted by Charles Osgood, "CBS Sunday Morning" asked to come to the Rogue Valley to do a reasoned, sane feature on Y2k. They were impressed with what we've done and where we're going. On Tuesday night, CBS plans to film in Ashland at an all-community planning session to discuss September "Be Aware & Prepare" Month and activities leading up to (such as the August Share Fair/Swap Meet, Block Parties, the C.E.R.T. classes, etc.) At that same meeting, Greg Scoles, Deputy City Administrator for the City of Ashland will give an update on what was learned from the three table-tops that examined critical infrastructure and contingencies (such as shelters, etc.).

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* ...ideas already tossed onto the table include: (in no particular order)

- Joint (Josephine/Jackson County) high profile Press Conference to launch this effort incl. all RV Mayors and County officials who have signed the Proclamation http://www.rv-y2k.org/proclam.htm (positions Y2k in the sense of broad-based emergency management and how to disaster-proof your community/neighborhood).

- Develop a loosely-knit coalition/partnership of gov't, civic, private groups/organizations/agencies who support/endorse the Proclamation & events surrounding (8 RV Mayors have already signed, we expect more to come on board around the State and are hoping for a State Proclamation to be signed by Gov. Kitzhaber); several emergency management agencies are expressing an interest; we hope to have the support of groups such as ARC, St. Vincent dePaul, Salvation Army, CareNet, RiverNet, churches, Chambers of Commerce, hospitals, schools, etcetera.

- Producing a 100-Day Plan (Sept. 23 is the 100th day from Jan 1, 2000) replete with checklists for people who either have 1) not started or 2) not completed any type of emergency prep.; model incremental plans (such as 72-hr. kit, 21-day kit, 3 mos. contingency plan) and why additional strategies for Y2k may be important considerations.

- Integrating the emergency awareness/preparedness skills/events into public/private school curriculum and Parent/Teacher Organizations. Schools are a natural conduit for educating not only students, but parents, and whole sections of the community.

- Promote training modules and provide resource lists for programs such as C.E.R.T., ARC first aid classes, and other health/safety classes that disaster-proof and create resilliancy in communities; also to address what to do "after" the crisis, etc.

- Create/Promote Family & Neighborhood Simulated Unplugged Exercise/Drill to assess risks and vulnerabilities in your home and neighborhood; using the Cygnus Emergency Response Triangles as a tool.

- Volunteer Recruitment (workers/leaders to implement the September events/activities and long-term/on-going action plans and to serve as block captains, etc.); special target on youth and senior involvement.

- Recruit for CE-COMM (alternative communications)

- Encourage Town Hall Meetings (produced by citizens and elected representatives).

- An Urban Survival Skills Workshop.

- Developing new and/or supporting existing Neighborhood Watch Programs that can be ramped up to Emergency Watch.

- Exploring and equipping additional Shelter sites and contingency resources for.

- Block Parties to 1) develop relationships and build trust within neighborhoods; 2) assess skills, resources within a neighborhood (i.e., who has a well, who has first aid training, gardens, alternative communication networks, etc.), and 3) assess and develop contingencies around individual vulnerabilities/risks (who is on life support, who has mobility problems, who for financial reasons may be less able to prepare, etc.).

- Media Blitz - develop PSA's and paid advertising; develop slogans, use print and electronic media as well as utility bill inserts, etc. to promote events/activities around awareness/preparedness.

- Resource Center for dissemination of Materials.

- Create a dedicated website.

- RVTV (community access television) programming (3-part series is in formative planning stages).

- Support and outreach to the Hispanic populous.

- Funding.

-- jumpoff (jumpoff@echoweb.net), June 22, 1999