by Bob Buddemeier (with Bob Walden)

This “article” consists of three components:  an update on important developments concerning Emergency and Disaster Preparedness at RVM; comments (“editorial”) on their significance and Residents’ Preparedness Group plans; and a brief summary of RPG’s status and activities.

1. Developments – on November 23^rd, Bob Walden and Bob Buddemeier (RPG co-chairs) met with Executive Director Stan Solmonson and Assistant Executive Director Alexander Ben-Israel to discuss preparedness and emergency responses at RVM. Stan announced a program, to be headed by Alexander, that would develop a comprehensive preparedness and response plan at RVM. The effort is in the early stages of formation so that there is not yet an organizational structure or schedule, but Stan said that he expected completion within a year.

It was also stated that RPG would be a component of the development activities, and would be brought into the effort as soon as the organization was in place.  There were a number of further outcomes of the discussion.  It was agreed that we could anticipate situations, both in preparations and in response, when resident action would be needed to supplement RVM efforts.  Stan emphasized that he wanted a single, integrated program, including both RVM staff and resident efforts.  Other subjects were the challenges resulting from RVM’s unique population and the need for both training and exercises to ensure the reliability of any action plan.

2. Commentary (BB and BW) – We consider this an extremely important and favorable development in terms of our goal of improving resident emergency preparedness, and we are looking forward to participating in the effort. As experience has shown, the RPG network can provide an extremely important communication link between residents in general and RVM Administration.

Functioning effectively as part of a larger system will require a more structured RPG management and operations system, as well as further development of present activities and plans.  We will be restructuring the Complement pages devoted to preparedness in order to make them more user-friendly for submission of questions and suggestions, and for review of the documents and plans being developed.  We will also be contacting coordinators and other volunteers to solicit input and additional participation.

3. RPG: Goals and current activities –  RPG sees its mission as support for RVM operations, including backup of and replacement for activities that RVM may not be able to carry out adequately.  This results in a focus on resident interactions, especially at the level of cottage neighborhoods and high-rise floors.  The RPG system of geographically assigned coordinators (https://thecomplement.info/2020/06/30/how-it-works-organization-and-operation/) provides a system for communication with and among residents; linking this with the developing RVM communication system is needed for comprehensive emergency preparedness and response.
   3.1  Coordinators are reaching out to become acquainted with individuals in their neighborhoods, to encourage a sense of community in local areas, and to develop an information base that will serve everybody well in the event of an emergency/disaster.  In addition to providing the information needed to assess and promote preparedness, available information about things such as access to transportation, pets, handicaps, special skills or supplies, etc. can pinpoint those who may need assistance and those who can provide it in the event of an emergency.
   3.2  Preparation resources:  Most generic preparedness information does not take into account the age and condition of the individual, the nature of their community, or the specifics of their environment.  In addition, the diversity of topics and volume of information can be overwhelming.  We are working on providing locally-appropriate, RVM-relevant, manageable information resources on what to do, why, and how to do it.  These are derived from materials published by government agencies and NGOs, with editing and formatting to adapt them for use at a retirement community.  Examples may be found at https://thecomplement.info/prepare/.

   3.3  Infrastructure and program development:  Examples of activities, completed, in progress, or planned.

   • Communication (specific) – an emergency response radio network has been designed and tested. It awaits equipment, after which coordinator training will be initiated.
   • Communication (general) – Various approaches have achieved some success: lectures, displays, postings and emails, etc.  Mailing lists have been established for subsets of people (coordinators, residents of neighborhoods and areas), etc.  The establishment of The Complement has not only opened up easier access for the general community, but it also provides a semiprivate page for RPG “business” and development work (https://thecomplement.info/rpg/).
   • Response supplies and training – our Medical Team has developed a list of recommended supplies to be stored at the Area or Neighborhood level, and has also arranged for training (since suspended due to covid restrictions). Evaluation of proposed forms and procedures for both neighborhood preparation and post-event evaluation is in progress.

   These and other activities will be developed for effective integration into the overall RVM preparedness plan.

   Questions?  Suggestions?  Email rpgrvm@gmail.com.

Pandemic-fire evacuation-more pandemic-next            (Patrick McDonald)

Look what you’ve unleashed!! Great fun.                        (Connie Kent)

2020 apocalyptic Bingo card full yet?                              (Ronald Constable)

Down upside feel world the doesn’t?                              (Dale Lohman)

Covid ? RVM= shelter from the storm                              (Pratibha Eastwood)