This Too Could Be You!

“Neighbors Together” Has A Bang Up Affair on Village Center Drive

By Joni Johnson

On Friday, August 27 at 4 pm, Village Center Drive turned into Party Central thanks to“Neighbors Together”, an idea originating with Carolyn Bennett, Willi Zilkey, Holly Lawson and Lynn Ogren. After all the isolation from the Pandemic, this group was on a mission to create social connectors throughout the campus. Well, they certainly succeeded on Village Center Drive.

 

With the help of a few interested residents on the drive, the Neighbors Together party was born. The small group of Village Center Drive residents chose a date and picked a spot on their street with a parking cutout and a bit of shade. They booked their time with Sarah Karnatz who then arranged for delivery of tables and chairs on the day of their gathering. They publicized their “Neighbors Together” with a flyer given to each resident and signage placed at the end of their street on the day of the event. The signage was designed and supplied by the Marketing Department. The signs have been designed to be able to pass from one neighborhood to another. Drinks were BYOB and foods were kept to a minimum. Bag snacks were purchased at Costco and put in inexpensive plastic bowels found at the dollar store. With ease and simplicity, the party was born!!!! I arrived a few minutes after four and the gaiety was in full swing. For all that showed up, the joy was apparent. People were just plain happy to be together. Even with a less than stellar air quality, the slight breeze at 4 pm made it all quite comfortable. Some people kept their masks on as a caution against either the smoke or the Delta variant.

Candice Bushell describes what it is like to be there

The masks did not seem to deter their sharing of greetings. In spite of the difficulties this summer to plan an outdoor gathering, I would guess that there were at least 35 people there if not more. Residents commented that for many it was the first chance they had in a long time to see people from the other end of their street. Another said that in the past, much of our socializing took place around mealtime; but, that sort of thing had been so difficult during the past year and a half. At last, this was a way to bring back some casual socializing amongst the neighbors. The bottom line is that it takes very little effort for a great return: Bringing “Neighbors Together”! Someone put it perfectly. “It was just wonderful to be together”.

Carolyn Bennett explains a little bit about the process

If you would like to do this for your street, it is easy. This event was resident driven, not a catered event. You can contact Sarah Karnatz directly (x7246) to set up the date, time, and location. If you need tables or chairs, she can assist you. For any other assistance please feel free to contact Carolyn Bennett (cjosmith341@gmail.com or 6249) or Willi Zilkey (willizilkey@gmail.com or 6871). They are willing to give you a packet of information regarding the advertising for your event and the information necessary to make your arrangements with Sarah Karantz.

Preparation Information — How to Do It

 

What to have or do — and how

In the worst case disaster (a Cascadia earthquake) we may be without utilities, municipal services, or access to supplies for days and possibly weeks.  Thoughtful preparation can be, literally, a lifesaver — and we don’t need an earthquake for emergency preparations to become very important.  Although needs and opportunities will be different for cottage residents and apartment occupants, the following articles provide information on how to prepare.

WATER

LIGHT AND ELECTRICITY

SANITATION

MEDICATION

IDENTITY & DOCUMENTS

PETS 

HOUSEHOLD  (under construction)

FOOD  (under construction)

GO-BAG  (under construction)

CAR  (under construction)

 

What’s New in Prepare

Problems of Pets and Preparedness

by Bob Buddemeier

INTRODUCTION:  I was recently privileged to be asked to organize a resident review of a draft RVM document on handling of pets in a wildfire evacuation. I say “privileged” because I am committed to emergency preparedness and to resident consultation on RVM actions, and (disagreement on details notwithstanding) I believe that the RVM Administration is too.

I contacted a group of 6 pet-owners.  After two rounds of email discussion it seemed clear to me and to the RVM representative (based on my report) that more preparation is needed before going ahead with meetings and joint discussion, especially considering current RVM staffing limitations and the fact that fire season is 6-7 months away.

Perhaps foolishly, I have decided to attempt to lay out the issues in hope of fostering understanding.  My qualifications: (1) Pet owner – currently 2 cats, with a history of many others.  (2)  Professional training and responsibility for both public and employee safety and preparedness.  (3)  Six years of involvement in various relevant RVM resident activities and organizations.

This article is based primarily on my own knowledge, ignorance and opinions.  I do not pretend, and do not want, to speak for RVM or for the residents as a group.  The intention is to present the issues, as I see them, so that readers can develop more informed opinions of their own and carry out more effective communication.  The article is long (especially including the appendices), partly because I am a wordy writer, but mostly because it is a complex subject with many components.  I hope you will read it.

Note:  This article addresses pets and companion animals, fully trained service dogs may be an exception.

 

External sources:

https://training.fema.gov/emiweb/downloads/is10comp.pdf  FEMA Course:  Animals in Disasters, Module A  Awareness and Preparation

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/pet-disaster-preparedness.html
American Red Cross

https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/make-disaster-plan-your-pets
Humane Society

https://thecomplement.info/2021/09/14/pet-preparedness/
by Victoria Gorrell, based on https://www.ready.gov/pets

Evacuations and Pets

Most of us have had the experience of combining two good ideas or actions, only to find out that the combination produces more problems than obvious benefits.  Will this be the case with proposed evacuation of pets and pet owners in response to a wildfire threat to RVM?

Right Thing #1:  Having pets.  There is abundant evidence that people with pets are, on average, more mentally, physically, and socially healthy.  Most retirement and care facilities encourage permanent or surrogate pets.

Right Thing #2:  Emergency preparedness and disaster response.  People, organizations, and communities that have plans and equipment to deal with dangerous and disruptive events are better positioned to survive and recover than are those without preparation.

What about emergency preparedness with pets included in the mix?  Well, that can get a little tricky.  This article looks at some of the issues at Rogue Valley Manor, a pet-friendly retirement community that is working to improve its level of emergency preparedness.

Background:  In September of 2020, the Almeda fire forced a first-ever evacuation of RVM.  At that time there was no recommended response option but to leave the campus (although some residents chose not to do so).  The evacuation was accomplished successfully, with no resident or staff losses or injuries.  An immense amount of credit is due to RVM management and staff for accomplishing this, much of which had to be improvised on the fly.

However, there were many lessons learned.  Communication was a problem.  The total evacuation required several hours – if the fire had continued moving north with the speed and intensity it demonstrated in the Ashland to Talent stretch, the outcome might have been far less favorable.  Occupants of the licensed facilities were transported substantial distances – successfully, but that is not the most desirable scenario.  Residents were scattered widely, with many finding refuge at the Country Club, some at the Expo, and others farther north or just car-camping.

RVM, in consultation with the Medford Fire Department, has since improved fire safety on campus and developed a different plan for responding to wildfire evacuation alerts.  This plan (https://thecomplement.info/2021/08/23/rvm-campus-evacuation-guidelines-for-fire/) is based on the assessment of the high-rise (tower) buildings as being able to provide protection against any wildfire threat.  The present plan is that, in the event of a wildfire evacuation alert, residents will have the option of self-evacuating off-site, or of sheltering in one of the towers.  Residents in the licensed facilities will be sheltered in the towers, and tower residents will remain in their apartments unless they choose to self-evacuate.  The unadvisable option to stay in place rather than evacuating anywhere will still exist.

OPINION:  This is a major improvement in emergency management planning.  It leaves in place all of the options that residents had before, and adds the potential for providing local shelter with travel of minimal time or distance.  This is not only a huge benefit for those in the care facilities, but also for the substantial number of “independent living” residents who have limitations that would interfere with an effective self-evacuation.

Published guidance so far is preliminary.  Actual implementation in case of a fire evacuation alert will require that locally-sheltering cottage residents be safely moved to the towers and accommodated there, while other residents are concurrently self-evacuating.  In addition, there may need to be preparations for secondary effects on tower residents (discussed in Appendix A).

Provision has to be made for transport and accommodation for independent and for less-than-fully independent residents, and for residents in either of these categories who have pets.  Residents may require assistance personally, or only with regard to managing their pets.

This is where pets and preparedness collide head-on.  In an emergency, resources may be severely limited – from space on the bus to space in the shelter room to the time available to make the transition, and then to the staff time available for assistance and oversight.  It can be, at least for a while, a zero-sum game – resources allocated to one group or purpose are subtracted from those available to another.

ASSUMPTIONS (= evidence-based opinions):  RVM tower shelters will not be typical evacuee shelters, but will be protective bunkers, potentially in the midst of the fire.  Therefore:

  • The entire facility will be under the control of an Incident Commander.
  • In addition to resident evacuees, the towers will have to accommodate RVM staff who remain on site.
  • Traffic and space around the buildings and on access routes must be strictly controlled to permit access by firefighters and emergency equipment.
  • Due to external hazards (fire, smoke, heat) the building is likely to be locked down for an extended period.
  • The towers are likely to be on emergency power, if the generators can be protected from the fire. This will have multiple implications for both the permanent residents and the evacuees.

Opinions/Assumptions about animal control (a combination of “what I would do if I were in control” and “what I read in the preparedness literature”):

  • Animals and people need to be segregated so that nobody is in proximity to an animal unless they choose to be, and so that animals do not pose a sanitation threat (e.g., to food facilities).
  • Animals need to be confined/controlled at all times. The standard is use of kennels or carriers; whether securely tethered is an acceptable substitute is a local decision.
  • Animals not confined or tethered need to be managed by a handler with the knowledge and ability necessary to maintain control.
  • Housepets need to be housed indoors and where their owners can be with them, in the interest of both humane treatment and owner satisfaction.

The requirements outlined above will be somewhat challenging under conditions of accommodation, but may be particularly problematic in the mobilization and transportation stages of an evacuation.  Appendix A, attached, outlines some of the specific issues that need to be considered in developing the overall emergency plan.

The details of RVM evacuation procedures are still in development, to be completed before the next fire season.  As the legally responsible body, RVM must decide where to place the boundary between pet support and pet control, and how to implement or enforce it.  If possible this should be done with the input and understanding of pet owners – but it has to be done, and it needs to be done with an eye to what may go wrong rather than an optimistic assumption of normality.  It is essential to have plans and procedures that are clear, simple, and easily followed.  Complex arrangements or finely nuanced alternative actions for various situations will be unworkable.

The bottom line for pet owners is to do advance planning and preparation.  There are the three options: do nothing, go nowhere, and take the risks inherent in that; if you have or can get transportation, evacuate off-site either to a specific destination or just to anywhere else; or take advantage of shelter opportunities in the towers.  It would be ideal to be prepared to take advantage of any of those, and very reckless not to be prepared for at least one.

Potential problem resolution:

Potential conflicts need to be avoided or resolved in the interest of both effectiveness of emergency response and overall community harmony.  There are some possible approaches for doing so; all involve resident action or interaction.

An important preparation is to identify the number and type of pets likely to shelter in the towers (those whose owners do not plan to stay home or evacuate off-site).  Also, it would be very useful to identify pet-owners likely to need assistance in case of an evacuation, and solicit volunteers to serve as helpers.

Policy and procedure formulation should involve dialog with residents (both pet owners and non-pet owners), especially those likely to remain on campus either of necessity or as volunteers.

Organizing transport and drop-off at the towers for pet-owners not able to take their animal on the RVM evacuation vehicles could speed the process for all concerned, if adequately controlled.

Identification of tower residents who would be willing to serve as hosts or pet-sitters for evacuated animals (and possibly owners) – either in general or for specific acquaintances – could take some of the pressure off the common facilities.

Formation of a cadre of resident volunteers (possibly former pet owners) to monitor and support the pet containment facilities would facilitate meeting pet and human needs without burdening staff.

Educating pet owners about the needs and requirement, once they are established.

 

Appendix A to Problems of Pets and Preparedness

The Pet Evacuation Dilemma

Animal behavior under stressful conditions –unfamiliar surroundings, close proximity of unfamiliar humans and other animals, and a general atmosphere of distress — are unpredictable and potentially dangerous.  Incident Commanders and emergency planners do not want dog fights, dog bites, cat scratches, pursuit of loose animals, or conflicts between residents over pet management.  In addition, as identified by FEMA, pet allergies and phobias are an issue.  These are all at best distractions, and at worst the cause of disruptions that could seriously interfere with the primary mission of incident response.

Transportation issues

  • It may be permissible for securely contained small animals (cats, small dogs) to be transported on vehicles with non-pet-owners, but it should be avoided if possible. Animals on leash, if accepted, need to be transported separately – from people, and from each other.
  • Large animal containers may be difficult to transport, either in terms of the people required, or of the vehicle.
  • Animals may require more control and effort than their owners can provide [comment: two of my neighbors have been pulled off their feet by their dogs – one sustaining a serious injury – and my late wife was bitten by a resident’s dog while the owner was holding its leash].
  • Issues of traffic control, especially near the towers, will be important in terms of maintaining emergency access. This will be particularly the case if it is necessary to supplement RVM vehicles with private volunteer transport.
  • Guides, and possibly assistants, will be needed at both the loading and unloading ends of the transportation.

 

Appendix B:  to Problems of Pets and Preparedness

Planning and Preparation for Local Evacuation

Supplies needed for evacuated pets are well-identified in the on-line references cited, and in draft RVM guidance.  Further attention needs to devoted to human evacuation preparations, however.  For an on-site evacuation, cottage residents need to know what to take with them for themselves (e.g., pillow, blanket?) as well as for the animals.

The full-service go-bag recommended for disaster and off-site evacuation is not required — basic shelter, food, water and sanitation can be expected in the towers.

Residents should have basics such as medicines, masks (for smoke), contact information and identification, phones, money/credit cards, and convenience items (e.g. toilet articles).

The question of what else might be required or desirable in a local evacuation depends very much on expected conditions in the towers.  Although the final decision is the responsibility of the resident, basic information is needed for informed decision making.  For an on-site evacuation, cottage residents need to know what to take with them for themselves (e.g., pillow, blanket?) as well as for the animals.

Accommodation issues:

For an on-site evacuation, cottage residents need to know what to take with them for themselves (e.g., pillow, blanket?) as well as for the animals.

Tower environment considerations: Resident volunteers who assist in preparation or response, as well as staff, need to understand the probable and possible effects of going on emergency (local generator) power.  This applies to managing tower residents as well as evacuees, and will probably be different for each building.  What facilities, utilities and services can be counted on, and what will be the progression of loss if “load shedding” is required?

  • Emergency lights and outlets – where? Will some be reserved for those with medical equipment needs?
  • Will elevators run? How many?  Where?  If limited, how will use be managed?
  • Cooling and air filtration?   Will it be reliably available
  • Food storage and preparation? Meal provision?
  • Rest rooms (auto-flush toilets, water faucets)
  • Water pumps (potable and sanitary water circulation)?

 

To download a PDF of this article, Click Here

RPG Organization

Map of North Village Areas

 

 

 

 

 

 

RPG Personnel

To Download an Excel Spreadsheet of RPG Coordinator information, click here

 

Resident Preparedness Group (RPG)

Leadership Team, 8/9/21

RPG has restructured and enlarged its Leadership Team to achieve several objectives:

  • To expand the group’s diversity, experience, and capacity for task sharing;
  • To provide specific representation of Tower residents; and,
  • To allow some of our long-term members to take a well-earned break

Current Composition

Bob Buddemeier

Dan Curtis

Bob Berger (new resident; see bio below)

Teddie Hight (Manor Representative

Jim Macmillan (Plaza representative)

Ken Kelley

Scott Wetenkamp

 

Bob Walden (phasing out, but continuing to offer assistance in the transition)

Don Barry (phasing out, but continuing to offer assistance in the transition)

Dan Wagner (former member still contributing database efforts, reviews and advice)

 

 

 

Bob Berger Experience

Academic training focused on biochemistry, physiology and marine biology.  Work experience primarily involved in environmental toxicology.  Worked for private engineering and consulting firms, and public sanitation and drinking water agencies.  The last 9 years of my career provided regulatory/ legislative efforts for sanitation and drinking water agencies in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

No direct experience in emergency preparedness or management, but did complete Communities of Oakland Respond to Emergencies, CORE, training now identified as CERT  ( City of Oakland | Community Emergency Response Team Training [CERT]

Preparedness Info — Contents & Index

About Emergency and Disaster Preparedness at RVM
Why Prepare?
RVM Liaison
Basic Local Information
Warnings

The Residents Preparedness Group (RPG)
Description and Mission
Organization
Leadership Team
Coordinators

Getting Prepared
Stay home vs get out
Go-bags: Little and big
Cars
Shelter in place
Water
Sanitation
Food
Light
Medications

What’s New in August

Do you want to get a personal email notification of a new Complement issue or new material?   Email us at openinforvm@gmail.com and we will put you on the mailing list

Past articles are all on display;  If there is a “Load More” link at the bottom of the page, clicking it will bring up the older articles. 

NEWS & VIEWS

Neighbors Together, by Carolyn Bennett
      -Getting to know you…

Putting on the Saddle and Riding the Horse, by Joni Johnson
      -Putting her estate matters in order — for real

Sick of it…or Sick with it?  by Bob Buddemeier
      -More about COVID, but read it anyway

         in Big, Borrowed, or Both

3550:  the Portland Mirabella quarterly magazine (most recent issue)

Mirabella Monthly, Newsletter of the Seattle Mirabella (Current issue)

 

ARTS & INFO 

Heatwave, by Eleanor Lippman
      -Remembrances of a summer past

RVM August – October Event & Entertainment Schedule

August Library Display, by Anne Newins

Three Hundred Cups of Tea and The Toughest Job — (Book Review), by Joni Johnson

The Wisdom of Psychopaths — (Book Review), by Bob Buddemeier

WHEN RETAILERS COLLIDE!, by A. Looney
       –Nit-Wit Newz sells out!

PREPARE

A New Look for RPG Coordinators, by Bob Buddemeier
      -It’s not easy being green!

The RPG — A Summary Description, by the RPG Leadership Team
       -One page, many answers

 

Preparation Basics: Why Prepare and What to Do

The difference between an emergency and a disaster is that in an emergency, you can call 911 and somebody will come

  • When the wildfire comes, you get what protection the crews on the ground can give you, but you can’t ask for any more — and that may not be enough.
  • When the power grid goes down, there’s nothing you can do to make it come back any faster, or to get electricity before anybody else does.
  • And when the earthquake happens, the State tells us to expect to be without electricity, gas, and water for weeks, and that emergency and medical services will be crippled.  [Note — earthquake link to be revised into a “Hazards” section]

All of those have happened, and will happen again.  You need to decide in advance whether or not you want to be a survivor, because if you don’t make that choice and act on it, you have effectively chosen to be a victim.

RVM has emergency plans, equipment, supplies, and dedicated employees — but it is a retirement community, not a response, rescue and relief organization.  There are major limitations on what support and protection we can expect if something really bad happens.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED TO DO

  1. Self-evacuate.  If you have access to a vehicle and can drive, you can leave RVM.  That is your decision, and your responsibility for doing so safely.  For preparation advice, see the section on Cars in How to Prepare.
    IMPORTANT CAUTIONS:
    1.1  In any emergency or disaster, roads will be congested, traffic control or direction may be non-existent, and driving conditions poor (weather, smoke, darkness, damaged roads).  If there is doubt about your driving skills or stamina, stay home.  Should there be doubt?  Test this checklist.
    1.2  In any regional power outage, or if there is high demand or social disorder, it will be difficult or impossible to refuel.  If you can’t get much farther than you think you need to go with the fuel in your car, stay home.
  2. Shelter in place — Apartments
    2.1  Have at least 3 days worth of ready-to-eat food, water, and basic household supplies readily available –and more if possible.  Even if RVM is able to meet basic needs, confusion and staff shortages will interfere with distribution and support.  See How to Prepare.
    2.2  Be prepared to function without electricity in your apartment.  Emergency power will probably be available in the hallways, but that is not absolutely guaranteed.  Elevator access may be affected.
    2.3  In the event of an earthquake, you will probably be without running water — causing problems with sanitation as well as eating and drinking.
    2.4  Cooling or heating may be limited or unavailable.

3.  Shelter in place — Cottages
3.1  Emergencies other than wildfires  

3.1.1  Stock two weeks worth of nonperishable food, water, household supplies and needed equipment (See How to Prepare), or as much of that amount as is practical.
3.1.2  Be prepared to be without electricity, gas, running water and sewage disposal — this means no cooling, heating, and extremely limited washing

3.2  Wildfire evacuations — Shelter at RVM
3.2.1  In the event that a wildfire evacuation (Level 3) Alert is issued by the civil authorities, residents may self-evacuate (see above) or shelter in the high-rise buildings.
3.2.2  Evacuation to a high-rise shelter is very different from self-evacuation off-site: Transportation is provided by RVM, the amount of material you need to — and can — take with you is more limited, specific preparations for pets must be made, etc.  See the fire evacuation instructions and How to Prepare.

 

Prepare for Disaster at Two Levels —  the personal and the community level.  You live or die at the personal level — but the community can have a major influence on which outcome happens.

For all situations — know the RVM procedures, your RPG Coordinators, and your neighbors.

 

 

ACCESS TO RESOURCES

WHAT YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR

HOW TO PREPARE

 

 

ACCESS TO RESOURCES

Resident Resources — the Resident Preparedness Group (RPG) is a volunteer organization that strives to support RVM preparedness efforts by ensuring that every Independent Living resident is within a short walk of a volunteer with a commitment to emergency preparation and response.  These are the Neighborhood (in the cottages) or Floor (in the towers) Coordinators.  To learn about the RPG and identify your Coordinator, go to RPG — Activities and Organization. Then meet him or her, and become part of the preparedness network.  The network is everybody — you and your neighbors.  The better you know each other, the better your common preparation will be.

RVM Resources —

Information resources —

 

UNDER CONSTUCTION — TENTATIVE OUTLINE

 

Potential responses

FAQs

Ability to respond effectively

[With links down- or off-page to expanded articles, and ultimately (2nd order) to the How to]

 

Spectacular August Sunsets