EPPS By JOHN MCLAIN AND SANDY BATTE
Captains and medicallytrained residents help lead emergency response EPPS TEAM MEETING
When : 6:30 p . m . Thursday , Aug . 18
Where : Events Center Dining Room
All captains and medically-trained residents are welcome ! Hear about this year ’ s Shake Out Drill . Have a delicious dessert and win a raffl e prize !
Don ’ t be surprised when you see some of your neighbors in bright yellow and bright green vests in your neighborhood from time to time . It is not a party , not a new fashion statement and not something to cause you any worry . In fact , it ’ s just the opposite . You are witnessing our venerable EPPS ( Emergency Preparedness and Public
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Safety ) committee HOA Captains and medically-trained residents ( MTRs ) in action !
Charbonneau residents trained in both emergency preparedness and public safety know the steps to follow immediately following a disaster that affects the well-being of our community . They are designated as “ HOA Captains ” and “ MTRs ” but are thought of as our very own guardian angels . More than 135 strong , they serve as part of Charbonneau ’ s EPPS team .
This network of volunteers was established seven years ago to enhance preparedness in Charbonneau . The initial goal was to address our community ’ s readiness to face a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake but now they ably cover other threats to our resiliency . Captains and MTRs stand ready to quickly and safely offer assistance and outreach to neighbors in the hours before outside help is available .
Through ice storms , power outages , forest-fire threats , heat domes and global pandemics , they try their best to reach out to anyone who might be isolated and need some kind of help . They know that , in an emergency ,
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your first help will come from the people living around you .
Our EPPS team is gearing up for Charbonneau ’ s annual Shake Out drill that will take place this year on Sept . 15 , at 6:15 p . m ., instead of the traditional date in October . The idea is to increase participation of those who work fulltime and also encourage some neighborhood comradery ! We hope that , after the formal drill is over , neighbors will gather to picnic or share a potluck ! Watch for the September Villager for full details on Shake Out !
You too can be a part of this amazing team of volunteers . If you would like more information , email Jen Chavez : j . chavez @ charbonneaucountryclub . com . Your yellow or green
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HOA Captain ( yellow ) Spencer Groshong coordinates with medicallytrained resident ( green ) Kathy Chiocca while they prepare for a training exercise .
COURTESY PHOTO vest is waiting for you .
So on Sept . 15 , when you see your yellow- and green-vested neighbors , stop and say “ Thank you !” They want you to remember : Resiliency is the key to both survival and recovery after a major emergency and the key to resiliency is preparedness ! We give our heartfelt thanks to our network of captains — or yellow and green angels if you prefer .
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