Town Crier Articles

 

"It is the last thing on peoples' minds… until something happens," commented Tricia Byrne, the New Town Residential Association (NTRA) Emergency Preparedness Committee Chair, referring to an emergency or disaster. Byrne has always been interested in safety, leadership, and the welfare of those in her community. After retiring as an officer in the Marine Corps, she led and coordinated over 600 volunteers that staffed all the Smithsonian information desks in Washington D.C. Requiring strategic and careful communication and collaboration, her past experiences prepared her well for her current role in our residential association. 

 

Byrne volunteered to helm the committee after the prior Chair, and also her husband, Jack Espinal, was elected to serve as the NTRA Vice President. She became interested in emergency response and preparedness after noticing an advertisement for the James City County (JCC) Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) She participated in the six-class training program and immediately felt more confident in her ability to respond to an emergency-- how to turn off the gas, effectively apply a tourniquet, and activate a fire extinguisher, among other skills. Perhaps most importantly, CERT training meets you where you are at. There is no commitment to serve as a community responder, and Byrne described several participants that didn't have the physical ability to practice every skill, but gained knowledge through observation. All are welcome. 

 

The NTRA Emergency Preparedness Committee does not replicate CERT functions, but instead is designed to facilitate preparedness and spread information throughout New Town. The committee develops and maintains the New Town disaster preparedness plan and is activated to provide communication during an emergency or disaster. For example, the committee may post notices virtually or physically to help residents know where to find assistance, shelter, water, or first aid care. The primary goal of the committee is to ensure our community is prepared for a significant event, including how to find help in case of emergency. Committee members are not first responders; they help facilitate connections between their neighbors and those who can assist. 

 

We need you! If you want to contribute to the continued safety of your community and neighbors, the Emergency Preparedness Committee is for you. There is room for at least three new members, with a relatively small time commitment. The committee meets just three times per year and members may be called upon to distribute information in case of emergency. If you want to get involved, but don't have a lot of hours to dedicate, this opportunity might be a perfect fit! 

 

Speaking of emergency preparedness, follow these tips to keep yourself and your household safe in an emergency: 

• Sign up for JCC Alerts- jccalerts.org.  That way they can find out about potential problems in the community. 
• Read the Emails from the New Town Residential Association! These emails will be one of the first ways the committee sends emergency information. 
• Have three days of supplies on hand: recommended supplies include a gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food or canned goods, manual can opener, required medications, battery operated radio, flashlights, extra batteries, a first aid kit, pet foods/medicines, and copies of important papers in a Ziploc bag.
• If you know a storm is coming…ensure your automobiles are full of gas to be prepared in the event of an evacuation.