Learn about Boots on Ground resources on Oct. 18

EMERGENCY INFORMATION COUNCIL

“Boots on Ground” is the community disaster response plan that coordinates the actions of participating Leisure World service clubs and other entities during a catastrophic emergency. It is the brainchild of Mutual 17’s Marty Williams who modeled the plan on FEMA processes that are used universally during disasters. Developing, refining, documenting and practicing the plan has taken her several years.

The plan defines the roles and responsibilities, the assembly locations and communication protocols to be used by clubs such as Rollin’ Thunder, Paws Claws and Beaks, LW Community Emergency Response Team, drones, radio clubs and others such as the bike owners, clergy, and heavy equipment operators. Each has a defined contribution to the overall success of the response which is all cataloged in the plan.

The Emergency Information Council (EIC) is a charity recently formed to financially sponsor Boots on Ground and provide other emergency preparedness information to LW residents. People can visit the EIC booth during the upcoming Emergency Preparedness Expo on Oct. 18 (see page 1) to pick up tips for surviving an earthquake or wildfire and look at the Boots on Ground document.

At the EIC’s last meeting on Sept. 29, Mary Finn from Southern California Edison (SCE) spoke to a full house about its top priority to avoid another costly wildfire. Finn told attendees that first responders and firefighters will not cross downed power lines until the power is turned off in the area. In those fire events, the immobile seniors were the most vulnerable and often had no practical escape plan. She advised people to keep their phone charged at all times.

For more information about the EIC, the Boots on Ground document or to join the EIC, contact President Jackie Dunagan at jackie919@gmail.com or 562-431-7479.

—Nick Massetti

Mary Finn from Southern California Edison