MethowReady, a disaster-preparedness project of the Methow Valley Long Term Recovery Organization, is offering two training sessions for neighborhood leaders who want to help their communities be ready for natural disasters.
MethowReady will use as its platform the Map Your Neighborhood preparedness program that has been successful in other communities. It is designed to help neighbors support each other and share resources in crises.
The free training sessions are:
- On July 23 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Aero Methow Rescue Service in Twisp.
- On Aug. 5 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Winthrop Barn.
Pizza and dessert will be provided at each session. Topics to be covered include supplies to have on hand, planning for quick reaction to a disaster, and caring for the elderly, the disabled, pets and livestock.
“Odds are, in a major event, you and those closest to you will be first responders,” said Aero Methow Executive Director Cindy Button, who is helping oversee the training program. “We are bringing this program to the valley because it has been proven that neighbors who work together as a team to prepare for disasters save lives, reduce the severity of injuries and trauma, and reduce property damage.”
The Map Your Neighborhood program was developed by LuAn Johnson, former public education program manager for the state’s Emergency Management Division, and has been employed across the United States. The goal is to prepare neighborhoods to be self-reliant in times of disaster, especially when traditional first responders are overwhelmed.
Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, call Sandi Scheinberg at (509) 449-5590 or email info@methowready.org.
