CLEARLAKE— This week at the Judge’s Breakfast in Clearlake, staff members of the North Coast Opportunities Group gave an overview of the current emergency response and fire preparation programs. The presentation focused on their Neighbor-Fest events that they have been hosting around the lake as well as their Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program.
Emergency Preparedness in Communities with California for All (EPIC) Coordinator Tammy Alakszay introduced her team; Amanda Jo Samson, Dawn Kennedy, Pamela Coleman, Amy Zongone-Goszulak, Amanda Collins and Dennis Burke, five of which are also search team as well as Americorps members.
Alakszay discussed one of the grant awards NCO received referred to as the “Neighbor-Fest” grant, a neighbor-to-neighbor grant from California Volunteers, which has allowed NCO to take the show on the road and host “basically a block party to promote preparedness” according to Alakszay. One of her favorite aspects of these events is the partnership with Toad Jumps that allows them to set up an inflatable obstacle course simulating a fire drill for kids to receive training in fire escape. They also provide a “go bag” setup and other training options. Though this grant ended on Friday, May 31, 2024, NCO was able to hold over 13 events throughout the year including their last Neighbor-Fest event on Friday.
Samson discussed the go-bags that are provided, which include “Anything from a nice blanket to a tent, to a water filter straw, and we go over everything in there with them.” They also provide shelter boxes which are designed for sheltering in your home. The team will go over everything regarding their emergency preparedness, from evacuation plans to creating emergency contact lists. “We do overall emergency preparedness so that we as a community are prepared and know that we can help each other out and are ready to go.”
Kennedy presented on other projects that NCO has recently been involved with, one of which was working with the Clear Lake Environmental Research Center. The two groups collaborated on fire mitigation practices around the lake.
Coleman is a certified standard flagger for NCO and shared the importance of such training, which allows her to stand in as a flagger to direct traffic in times of crisis. This is helpful in situations where law enforcement may be delayed in arrival, where flaggers can help control the public in the face of an emergency. Coleman shared her gratitude in her position stating, “It’s nice to watch our community start to thrive and better itself.”
Zongone-Goszulak shared the importance of volunteering, noting how important it has been for her to include her children in volunteer work so that they grow up knowing how to be a part of a community. A lot of this volunteer work includes working with the Citizens Caring for Clear Lake cleaning up trash.
Collins shared more on the childrens’ programs run by NCO. Through storytelling for the young ones, the disaster action team that provides in home support after a catastrophe, and the pillow project that helps train children in effectively and efficiently packing a go bag. Collins shared that she herself is an NCO success story, as she was once homeless in Lake County for some time. After becoming involved in the NCO New Digs program that helps provide a stable road to housing, Collins was able to secure a position with NCO. Collins shared “I thank NCO everyday” expressing her gratitude for NCO and the opportunity to give back to her community.
Burke, who does disaster preparedness and response for NCO, focused on training opportunities for the public through their hybrid volunteer certification program CERT. This program was based off of the first program established in Los Angelas which trained civilian volunteers how to most efficiently assist first responders in an emergency. The certification is an 8-unit hybrid Zoom and in person program that is completed in six to eight weeks. More information on the CERT program can be found on NCOINC.org.
