California citizen group works to spread preparedness throughout community | 11.19.2007 | 05:57:54 | Views: 5789 | ID: November 19 '07: In Santa Rosa, California a group of residents has formed the community-based response organization Citizens Organized to Prepare for Emergencies. The COPE organization works in partnership with the city's fire department and the Red Cross "to help train and prepare their neighbors, so that we can all COPE a little better with disasters that may disrupt our lives." In an article from Western City Magazine, group organizers said it was their goal to create a "temporary first responder" corps which could help aid police, fire and EMS services in the event of an emergency. To date, about 75 percent of the Santa Rosa community is participating in the COPE program. "COPE encourages neighbors to socialize and hold 'preparedness parties'," Western City reported. "Participants are known locally for their barbecues and potlucks. CO{E leaders encourage their neighbors to have fun and become part of the preparedness efforts. Businesses, schools, churches and community organizations can also become COPE Community Partners to encourage their employees and members to prepare for emergencies." On the COPE's website there is a 12-minute video outlining the program. Using federal grant money from the Department of Homeland Security, the video is being updated to include a Spanish-language version.(Click below to download file) cope_article.pdf
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