19 Staff Report - Community Self-Sufficiency CampaignSOW N ~F
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MEETING DATE: 08-07-06
ITEM NO: 1 n
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AUGUST 4, 2006
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER
LOS GATOS PREPARED, A COMMUNITY SELF-SUFFICIENCY
CAMPAIGN, CONCEPT PAPER
The adopted FY 2006-07 Operating Budget includes funds for the Town to conduct an outreach
campaign to inform the community about the steps and resources necessary to be self-sufficient
in the event of a natural or other disaster. Staff has developed the attached concept paper
describing the scope, elements and timeline of such a campaign, to be called Los Gatos
Prepared.
At the August 7, 2006 Council meeting, staff will share the concept paper with the Council for
input and feedback.
Attachments:
Los Gatos Prepared: A Town-Wide Self-Sufficiency Campaign
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PREPARED BY: PAMELA S. JACOBS
ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER
Reviewed by: Assistant. Town Manager Town Attorney
Clerk Administrator Finance Community Development
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
CMC CENTER
110 E. MAIN STREET
P.O. Box 949
Los GATOS, CA 95031
Los Gatos Prepared
A Town-Wide Self Sufficiency Campaign
Concept Paper
Project Goal: To develop and implement a first-year community-wide interactive and
educational self sufficiency campaign on or before October 17, 2006, the anniversary of
the Loma Prieta earthquake, toward the ultimate goal of every resident and business in
Los Gatos having the awareness, skills and resources necessary to be self sufficient in the
event of a natural or other disaster.
Scope of the Project:
• Earthquake disaster self-sufficiency for the first 72 hours
• Pandemic Flu self-sufficiency for 2-4 weeks
Project Description and Framework
Los Gatos Prepared is a newly created community wide project, initiated by the Town of
Los Gatos in partnership with the business community, residents, schools, volunteer
organizations, governmental agencies, the faith community, hospitals and local
community organizations to help Los Gatos prepare to be self sufficient in the event of a
natural or health disaster. The ultimate goal of Los Gatos Prepared is for the Town to
become so well organized and prepared on an individual resident and business level that
everyone is able to be self sufficient during a disaster.
The project will educate and organize the community in its first year in four ways:
1. Work with CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) to host a series of
neighborhood based informal events for Town residents emphasizing the role of
CERT on the evening of October 17, 2006, the anniversary of the Loma Prieta
earthquake
2. Council recognition and promotion of self sufficiency at the Monday, October
16th council meeting, televised on KCAT. Additional mention and promotion of
the schedule of events at the October 2, 2006 council meeting as well.
3. Present a community informational/awareness "booth" or display at the Farmer's
Market on Sunday, October 15th, and possibly also October 8th, with information,
personal demonstrations, equipment and displays of self sufficiency supplies
4. Conduct public outreach and publicity to inform the community about the events
and about emergency self-sufficiency in general.
INCORPORATED AUGUST 10, 1887
Los Gatos Prepared Concept Paper
August 1, 2006
Page 2
Neighborhood Based Informal Events - October 17, 2006
On the evening of October 17t1i, throughout the Town, residents will be encouraged to
organize or host an informal gathering of their neighbors. In a lead role on behalf of the
overall Town project, volunteers from the Town's Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT) will be the key representatives at each meeting to provide information on
self sufficiency preparedness. Outreach to neighborhoods will be coordinated between
Town staff, utilizing the existing Neighborhood Outreach Roster, and the volunteer
CERT organization. The CERT organization will take the lead to organize and announce
where the individual events will be held. This event follows the model of Neighborhood
Watch or National Night Out in which neighbors meet at a neighbor's house or on a front
lawn for an ice cream social or BBQ. Gatherings can be small or large, depending upon
level of existing organization. Town staff will explore the possibility of having a
centralized "neighborhood" event at Town Hall or other downtown location, as well.
Council Meeting, October 16, 2006
At the regularly scheduled council meeting, the Town Council will formally address,
recognize and promote community preparedness ahead of the neighborhood based
informal events the following evening. Council action can include a proclamation,
recognition of CERT and existing efforts and final promotion of the October 17th events.
Announcement of the schedule of events will also be made at the October 2, 2006 council
meeting.
Community Booth/Display
On Sunday October 15th, and possibly also on Sunday, October 8th, CERT volunteers and
Town staff will join with Fire Department personnel and others to staff a booth and
equipment display at the Farmer's Market. Currently available educational materials will
be available for distribution. Information will be presented on how individual residents
can increase their self sufficiency. Materials/supplies recommended for home self
sufficiency will be on display. Volunteers will be able to survey residents to determine
baseline levels of personal preparedness and to provide information about CERT.
Project Team and Staffing
Los Gatos Prepared will be managed and implemented through a core team of Town
staff, council, and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Fire Department.
An expanded team will assist in outreach and implementation, and will be comprised of
representatives from CERT, the County emergency operations center, hospitals, schools,
KCAT, Katrina Consortium, media, and Leadership Los Gatos.
Los Gatos Prepared Concept Paper
August 1, 2006
Page 3
Marketing
Using a variety of marketing methods and materials, the Town would conduct outreach
and organization to obtain participation and attendance at both neighborhood-based
events and the Farmer's Market displays. Marketing methods would include:
• Los Gatos Weekly (editorial, article, shopping list for self sufficiency, link to
www.72hours.org)
• "What's New"
= Police Department's Groupwise Neighborhood Contact List
• CERT information network
• Outreach through notifying Town commissioners
• KCAT
• Los Gatos VISTA
• Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
• Town business newsletter
• Promotion of the events through the schools, non-profits, service organizations
and faith community
In addition, marketing materials can include creation of a logo/graphic for "Los Gatos
Prepared" and the creation of a shopping list tablet with blank lines and emergency
supplies listed at the bottom. Web based outreach can include surveys to determine
baseline levels of community/individual preparedness for use this year and to assess
changes over future years.
Project Timeline
July 2006
• Initial core team meeting to set vision and framework for the project
• Create concept paper and matrix for actions/responsibilities
• Develop elements of a marketing plan
August 2006
• Council presentation of concept paper
• Initial contact with expanded core team
• First meeting of Expanded Core Team to present concept
• Obtain commitment from partners to participate/support project
• Identify existing educational materials for use during the campaign
• Create key messages for use during the project, e.g.,:
o Top 10 things to know about the Pandemic Flu
0 5 activities/actions to be ready for an earthquake
• Begin marketing through web, e-mail, newspaper, Vista, KCAT, Chamber
Newsletter and other media outlets
CERT assumes responsibility for outreach and support of neighborhood events
• Outreach to stores and businesses to create self sufficiency displays in their stores
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Los Gatos Prepared Concept Paper
August 1, 2006
Page 4
September 2006
• Continue marketing and outreach
• CERT refines its outreach and organization with support from Town staff
• Partners finalize their involvement in community information day(s) and support
of neighborhood events
• Los Gatos stores create in-store displays to offer supplies in a centralized location
co-positioned with informational material
October 2006
• Final planning for community informational booth activites
• CERT finalizes neighborhoods participating on October 17t' and assigns
personnel to support each activity
• Stores continue their displays
• Marketing becomes focused to bring people to the Farmer's Market or to inform
residents of specific locations for neighborhood based events
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