Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Date & Time: March 24, 2009 10:00 AM
Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services is continuing its commitment to community disaster preparedness education by reaching out to seniors living in Ventura County.

On March 23rd, members of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services went door-to-door in Camarillo’s Leisure Village community in an effort to assist our senior population in becoming educated, trained and better prepared for a disaster. This effort coincides with the upcoming Leisure Village Emergency Preparedness Drill scheduled for May 21, 2009.

Getting an emergency supply kit, making an emergency plan, and being informed about the local hazards in our communities are several things residents can do to prepare themselves. Materials provided to Leisure Village residents also included special considerations when preparing for the unexpected. “The brochures identify additional items that should be included in their emergency supply kits and encourage seniors to create a personal support network to call upon in the event of an emergency,” said Cynthia Elliott with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services.

Leisure Village residents were also encouraged to register their cellular telephone numbers with the Ventura County Reverse 911 telephonic notification system. Erin Edinger, Ventura County Reverse 911 Program Administrator, advised that the system would be used during the Leisure Village Emergency Preparedness Drill. “Residents will be given clear instructions on posting their OK signs, checking their emergency supply kits and accessing local cable channels for additional information,” said Edinger.

Educating seniors is one of the many ways emergency officials are promoting disaster preparedness this year. In January, the Emergency Planning Council made a motion to adopt the theme of “Be Prepared Enough To Help Your Neighbor” for 2009. County of Ventura agencies, city representatives, businesses, schools, and non-profit organizations are using this theme to educate residents on the importance of being prepared.

For more information on the Leisure Village Emergency Preparedness Drill, please contact Hanna Huber at (805) 383-8062.

Questions regarding disaster preparedness or Reverse 911 may be directed to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services at (805) 654-2551.