10 - Wednesday, April 15, 1992 - North Shore News Neighborhood preparedness is vital to survive quake LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS in- volved in the North Shore Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Program will be on mutually-supportive solid ground in the event of a major earth- quake. By Michael Becker News Reporter Those who choose to view large-scale disaster as an im- plausible future event may well find themselves unable to cope in the disaster aftermath. Said Ross Peterson, coordinator of the North and West Vancouver Emergency Program, ‘Tne im- portant thing to remember is that people get traumatized quickly when faced with having to look after themselves for a 72-hour period. But we feel confident that there is no neighborhood on the North Shore that can't look after itself for at least 72 hours.” Emergency planners say that residents should realistically expect to take care of themselves for a minimum of three days following a community-wide disastez. Although municipal and regional emergency plans and resources are continually being refined and upgraded, Peterson said the experience in northern California following the 1989 ear- thquake has shown that neighborhood preparedness may well be the most important safety net available when it comes to how well a community survives the major challenges facing disaster survivors. Said Peterson, ‘‘This system was started in Oakland after the 1989 earthquake. Within a year approximately 2,000 residents had been trained. When brush fire broke out in October last year 300 of these people tiving in the Oakland Hills area assisted in the emergency response.’* Peterson has based the local neighborhood emergency preparedness program on the American experience. So far 10 North Shore neighborhoods are involved and learning how to systematically help themselves. Last year the North and West Vancouver E:nergency Program distributed approximately 80,000 personal earthquake preparedness brochures to local businesses and households. The organization now offers neighborhood emergency preparedness information kits to the public. “These outline the organiza- tional steps necessary to form your own neighborhood group and contain registration forms, response task descriptions and homeowner tips. Peopie are going to turn to their neighbors anyway, so why not make it easy?’’ Peter- son said. The neighborhood approach to disaster response addresses the need for immediate response on the home front and also takes pressure off limited municipal emergency resources, Added Peterson, “It will hap- _ fi pen. It has to happen because this is by far the best basis for emergency preparedness we can think of." For more information call 985-3713. Lynn Canyon task force proposes increased signage and policing ‘ THE FINAL recommendations of the Lynn Canyon Safety Task Force were unanimously endorsed Monduy night by North Van- couver District Council. By Martin Millerchip Contributing Writer The task force, under the chairmanship of Ald. Jim Cuthbert, has brought together municipal staff, school children, emergency response repre- sentatives and many others over a period of months in an attempt to define, publicize and restrict the dangers and hazards of Lynn Canyon, The final recommendations in- clude: @ Three trailhead signs that will illustrate the dangers of the can- yon between ihe pipeline crossing and south of Twin Falls. ‘The signs will include the location and number of deaths and rescues; they will also explain the hidden dangers of pools, waterflows, water lemperature, undertows, back pressure and more. @ "No Alcohol Permitted"’ signs at park access points and trailheads. @ RCMP patrols and high profile saturation checks for drugs and alcohol, similar to the spot checks carried out at Cypress Bowl dur- ing sunny spring weekends. @ Construction of a clearly defined connector trail leading east from 30 Foot Pool and then north to the pipeline access route. @ Removal of toppled wire fenc- ing northeast of 30 Foot Pool and extension of fencing at the north NORTH VANCOUVER DISTRICT COUNCIL end of Dempsey Road trail towards the rim of the canyon. @ Deincation and rehabilitation of hiking routes in preferred areas. One other recommendation will involve Argyle Secondary School outdoor education students reviewing and commenting on council's actions. Other student suggestions re- garding the placement of an emergency phone closer than the Lynn Canyon concession stand and the installation of a life preserver ring at the water’s edge were not in the list of final rec- ommendations. “SUNSHINE COAST SPECIALIST” — First home purchase ~ Retire carly — or just need information on coast property Phone 886-9408 DIANA STARBUCK 35.3170 cel.§ Pebbles peasry tp. 886-8107 _ Toll free 681-3044 § Why I chose Malaspina’s Bachelor of Arts in | LIBERAL STUDIES a4 (offered in conjunction with the University @f Victoria.) 661m planning tobecomea teacher. This program has mace me more aware of the origins of our culture, which, ! fecl, will make me a better teacher fn the long run, I value the cohesive nature of our learning environment. 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