3. Introduction

Welcome to the La Honda Regional N.E.S.T. - Neighborhood Emergency Service Team - program. It is designed to assist the entire community in preparing for both natural and man-made disasters. A vital part of the program is helping our neighborhoods, schools, and businesses prepare for these major disasters through organization, training, and preparation. In this manual, the term neighborhood can mean a residential area or a business or work place.

Although earthquakes get the most attention, destructive storms, wildfires, mudslides, accidents and other incidents can seriously affect all or parts of the community. Our region may be on its own, or even isolated, for as long as seven days because regular emergency services provided by the county will be overwhelmed and they will not be able to respond to all the calls for service, or unable to reach the La Honda area.

We and our neighbors can learn to rely on each other rather than upon the services which might be seriously delayed. Our ability to take care of ourselves and be able to make a knowledgeable report when requesting help significantly improves the timeliness and adequacy of the Emergency Services response from the County.

Experience from other major disasters shows that people want to help each other after a disaster. If our neighborhood is organized and adequately trained beforehand, the response will be rapid, efficient and life saving. Each individual's ability to prepare for and meet the disaster will also reduce his or her own potential property loss.

You will enjoy many benefits from participating in this program. Not only will the La Honda region become a self-sufficient and close group, but you will also enjoy a certain peace of mind that comes in knowing that you and your family are not alone when disaster strikes.

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