MAP YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO AID IN DISASTER PLANNING

     Astoria residents attended a Map Your Neighborhood Presentation Tuesday night at Astoria High School.  Attendees were told about earthquake and tsunami risks specific to this area, and how neighborhoods can use the Map Your Neighborhood tool for
disaster planning.



     Paula Peek of the Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay explained how the program works.




“Map Your Neighborhood has kind of a curious name but what it means is you get to know your neighbors, you get to know their skills and resources, that’s what they mean by mapping – you’re mapping the skills and resources you have in your own little area, like if you have people who are skilled in first aid, or ham radio operators, or that kind of thing.  Also the resources, like if you have a generator or you have a high ladder, or you’ve got ropes, or extra bedding.  Those types of things.”  





     Emergency planners say in the event of a severe disaster, people should not expect outside help for several days, sometimes more.  Last night’s initial planning session will be followed up with further training.  Peek said people who are willing to be neighborhood captains can help spearhead the idea in their own neighborhoods.