In Case Of Emergency, Read Blog

In recent posts, I have highlighted a couple of major California preparedness events occurring in mid-October — “The Great California Shakeout” and “The Great Rumble”. I wanted to mention another one, the “Ojai OK Drill,” which takes place next week.

Organized by the Ojai Valley CERT, the “OK Drill” aims to improve the community’s emergency readiness. Beginning at 7pm on October 14th, residents will be asked to: review their disaster plan and check their emergency supplies; tune into their local AM Emergency Radio stations for instructions; ‘check’ on their neighbors; and post a yellow and black “OK” sign in a window facing a street or mailbox.

In an interview on Radio Ojai last month, an “OK Drill” organizer Paul Garth provides more information about the exercise. He also makes the good point that despite the big drill “preparedness is not a single event but an ongoing conversation”. In the interview, Garth discusses the impact of his CERT training — noting the level of empowerment that can come from just pulling a fire extinguisher for the first time during training and explaining his involvement in ‘Ham Radio’.

The OK Drill is a terrific example of individual citizens working with officials to create a significant preparedness event involving all stakeholders. If you would like more information, go to okdrill.blogspot.com.

OJAI VALLEY CERT MEMBERS DURING FIRE SAFETY TRAINING (ABOVE)