Neighborhood Organization Guideline
(Download: Organizational Tools)
Purpose
First, let us thank you for your interest in neighborhood organization. The purpose of this guideline is to assist those citizens who desire to organize their neighborhood into self-sufficient teams in the event of a disaster. It is highly recommended that one who is interested in undertaking this task previously receive training through the Neighborhood Emergency Assistance Teams (NEAT) program or the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. Those receiving NEAT or CERT training will be better informed as they attempt to organize their neighborhood. This document is intended to serve as a guideline and will not be able to answer all the questions that may arise in the course of your neighborhood organization. However, should questions arise that you or this guideline cannot answer; you are encouraged to direct them to Fire Department staff assigned to this program.
Utilizing the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) curriculum, this program is designed to assist the residents of El Cerrito and Kensington to be self-sufficient in the event of a disaster. In this program, individuals will learn an array of disaster skills that will empower them as members of a neighborhood emergency assistance team to act independently in their neighborhoods or as an addition to the communities’ emergency services.
Getting Started
Often getting started is the most difficult task to undertake. The task of neighborhood organization may seem insurmountable, but it is not! Getting started requires several very important ingredients. First, one must be motivated to hosting a neighborhood organization meeting. This meeting may be hosted either at a neighborhood home or a City-owned neighborhood clubhouse or facility. If you want to reserve a City-owned clubhouse or facility you will need to talk to the program manager. Second, set the agenda for the meeting. Your agenda should allow time for sign-ins, greetings, introductions and some type of presentation. As a suggestion, having a representative from the Fire Department CERT Program is recommended. Third, you need assemble a flyer for distribution that announces your organization meeting. As a general guideline you should distribute flyers to 100 to 150 houses in your immediate neighborhood. Assistance in defining your neighborhood may be available from CERT program administrators. Lastly, once you have them motivated and in the room, do not let them go without setting a follow-up meeting, activity or milestones you want to reach.
What is a Neighborhood?
What constitutes a neighborhood is often a tricky question. In most cases, neighborhoods take on many different sizes and shapes. This is often the result of natural borders such as main streets, parks, home owners associations, etc. In the NEAT model we defined a neighborhood as 100-150 households. While that still is a good starting point the key is that you have a sufficient number a people to fill the necessary roles outlined in the program. Therefore, in some circumstances 100-150 may be sufficient and in others you may have to expand the number of households to obtain the necessary number of participants.
Building a Database
With the exception of getting started, building a database may be one of the most important things a neighborhood coordinator can do. Having a neighborhood database will save you the coordinator countless hours of your valuable time. E-mail is a great way to send out and receive information about upcoming neighborhood information, meetings or projects. As a word of caution, E-mail databases should be used for the sole purpose of neighborhood activities and should not shared without the permission of your neighbors