TAKOMA PARK EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE

ANNOUNCEMENT - CERT TRAINING: The Takoma Park Emergency Preparedness Committee is recruiting volunteers to attend Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training beginning in September. CERT members learn basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using training learned in the classroom and during hands-on exercises, CERT members can give critical assistance to others in their neighborhoods or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in safety education and emergency preparedness projects in the community.

The next class will meet on Wednesdays and Saturdays:

Wednesday, September 22, 7 - 9 p.m.

Saturday, September 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wednesday, September 29, 7-9 p.m.

Saturday, October 2, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wednesday, October 6, 7 - 9 p.m.

Saturday, October 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wednesday, October 20, 7 - 9 p.m.

Saturday, October 23, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

You must attend all sessions to graduate.

To sign up for training, or receive more information, e-mail the Emergency Preparedness Committee or call 301-270-1084. Space is limited. For more information about CERT activities, see the Montgomery County CERT website

INFORMATION ABOUT THE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE

The Emergency Preparedness Committee was established by the City Council to provide community input to and assist in the City's planning and preparations for emergency operations and to involve residents in providing appropriate assistance during emergency operations.

Committee membership includes seven Takoma Park residents appointed by the City Council, senior City Staff selected by the City Manager, one member selected by the Public Safety Citizens Advisory Committee (PSCAC), one member selected by the Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Department, one member selected by the Washington Adventist Hospital, one member selected by the Montgomery County Department of Homeland Security. Appointees should have some professional background in emergency preparedness or operations and be available to perform committee duties during the day when required.

The seven resident committee members serve staggered, three-year terms. Terms begin on April 1 and end on March 31.

Representative committee members serve as long as determined by their agency or organization.

EPC Statement of Purpose

The Emergency Preparedness Committee shall assist in:

A. Reviewing the City’s Emergency Operations Plan and recommending changes to the Council and City Manager, including changes to improve processes for assisting special populations during an emergency.

B. Exploring the formation of volunteer neighborhood emergency teams that would assist City Departments in carrying out emergency activities when called upon.

C. Assisting the City in coordinating with Montgomery County and other agencies to educate residents on their individual responsibilities for preparing their households for emergencies and providing information on what residents can expect from the City and County during an emergency.

D. Exploring grant opportunities that would aid the City to improve the emergency preparedness of the Community and City Management–this would include assisting City staff in documenting and submitting desirable grants for review by the City Manager and concurrence of the Council.

E. Reporting to the Council on the Committee’s progress six months after the Committee starts operating and every six months thereafter. Each report should provide appropriate recommendations for improving the City’s emergency preparedness along with budgetary implications that should be considered during the preparation of the annual budget.

F. Coordinating with Montgomery County to offer and promote Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) or other citizen training programs for resident volunteers and committee members.

G. Coordinating with the Montgomery County Volunteer Center to identify and promote volunteer opportunities under emergency situations. Assist in promoting these volunteer opportunities to Neighborhood Safety Contacts, citizen patrols, citizen associations, persons who serve or care for special City populations, and other City residents.

H. Advising the City on strategies to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the City preparedness activities and its relationship with relevant County, State and Federal Volunteer Agencies, and the American Red Cross, as well as the emergency preparedness organizations of neighboring jurisdictions.

I. Suggesting test scenarios to the City Manager and providing Committee members to be present in the City’s Emergency Operations Center during Emergency Test Exercises to act as observers during the test and to provide input to the after action report of the test.

Members

• Edward Coursey, Takoma Park Police Captain (City Co-Chair)
• Lawrence Hawkins, Takoma Park resident member
• William Hentosh, Washington Adventist Hospital
• Thomas Horne, Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Department
• Robert Jones, Montgomery County Homeland Security Department
• Andy Kelemen, Takoma Park resident member
• Jennifer Kurtinitis, Takoma Park resident member
• Anne Ludlow, Takoma Park resident member
• Wolfgang Mergner, Takoma Park resident member (Community Co-Chair)
• Kathleen Quinn, Takoma Park resident member
• Robert Wedemeier, Takoma Park resident member

For information about appointment to the Emergency Preparedness Committee, contact the City Clerk at Clerk@takomagov.org.

The Emergency Preparedness Committee generally meets the second Thursday of each month, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., in the Takoma Park Community Center -- Sam Abbott Citizens' Center. All meetings are open to the public.

Please check the City Council and Committee Calendar and the City Council Rolling Agenda for the most up to date information about meeting dates.

General emergency preparedness information for City of Takoma Park residents:

• If you SIGN UP FOR TP ALERT, the City Of Takoma Park will use TP Alert to immediately contact you during a major crisis or emergency.
• Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
• Montgomery County Information on Preparing for Emergencies
• City of Takoma Park Emergency Management Plan
• Emergency Preparedness Information

Emergency Preparedness Committee Documents:

• Takoma Park Code, 2.16, Article 8, Defining the Emergency Preparedness Committee
• Ordinance 2004-31 Establishing the Emergency Preparedness Committee
• Ordinance 2005-08 Defining Membership Composition of the Emergency Preparedness Committee
• Ordinance 2006-2 Expanding the Membership of the Emergency Preparedness Committee
• Ordinance 2007-3 Revising the Scope of the Emergency Preparedness Committee

Emergency Preparedness Committee Reports to the City Council

• October 27, 2008
• April 21, 2008
• August 9, 2007
• November 27, 2006
• April 14, 2006

Emergency Preparedness Committee Meeting Minutes:

2008

• November 20, 2008
• October 16, 2008
• September 18, 2008
• August 21, 2008
• June 19, 2008
• May 15, 2008
• April 17, 2008
• March 20, 2008
• February 21, 2008
• January 31, 2008
• January 3, 2008
  

Page updated 8/20/09.