In our post 9/11 world, it is important that our community do all it can to be prepared in the event of an emergency.

An energy back-up plan for our power grid will ensure power and communications capability in the event that our electrical system is compromised. The City also needs to continue working with local, regional and national agencies to ensure that reliable communications and emergency services are in place. My wife Mary Ellen and I have completed the excellent Community Emergency Response Team training offered by the City, and I have encouraged the Homeowner’s Confederation to have its active Homeowner Association representatives do the same. By placing trained and ready citizens throughout the community, we can set up neighborhood hubs for communications, rescue and service deployment should the need arise, and vital information about what each household should do in preparation for and during an emergency. I would also like to see us conduct occasional community-wide disaster drills in the same way public safety agencies, hospitals and other critical service providers prepare themselves for inevitable emergencies.