5. Organization
THE NEIGHBORHOOD: The N.E.S.T. organization is designed around the concept of neighborhood self help. Each neighborhood is led by a Captain and the members of the neighborhood are trained and responsible for essential tasks. Captains are responsible for both ongoing preparedness activities and for providing leadership and coordination during emergencies.
In addition to the individual Captains, several Committees, with members from the residents of the region, are organized to address specific region-wide tasks. As with the Captains, these committees have both ongoing preparedness responsibilities as well as roles during an emergency to support and coordinate the efforts within the neighborhoods. The specific duties and responsibilities of these committees are contained in Handbooks for each committee.
Although the La Honda region may be isolated during an emergency, a number of organizations, such as the fire and other emergency services organizations, provide support to the N.E.S.T. for preparedness and emergency activities. Similarly, the N.E.S.T. organization supports other organizations, such as the La Honda Fire Brigade, by providing local trained resources within the neighborhoods to assist as needed during emergencies.
5.1. N.E.S.T. Committee Responsibilities
There are five special committees in the N.E.S.T. organization:
• Captains
• Steering Committee
• Communications
• Shelter and Special Care
• Resource Management
Each committee is responsible for specific tasks preparing the community and also for specific tasks immediately following an earthquake or other disaster. The jobs are very similar to those performed on a larger scale by the Emergency Services Units in urban areas. The Steering Committee or designated alternate is responsible for coordinating the efforts of all the committees.
The Captains Committee is composed of the individual Captains within the region. Its primary function is to provide communication and coordination among the Captains, so that ideas can be exchanged, common problems attacked, and individual work by Captains can be made available to other Captains for use in their neighborhood.
The primary activities of the Captains Committee will involve preparedness activities, since the Captains themselves will have neighborhood duties during any emergency. However, the Captains Committee might also arrange for tasks during an emergency - e.g., a daily review/planning session during a long disaster-recovery situation.
Primary responsibilities of the Captains Committee include the following:
5.2.1. Provides the overall coordination of the neighborhood plan, both before and immediately following a disaster.
5.2.2. Assists the individual disaster committees in completing their "Before the Disaster" activities where possible and when needed.
5.2.3. Coordinates neighborhood activities with the efforts of the Office of Emergency Services.
5.2.4. Maintenance and ongoing enhancements and changes to the Captains Handbook.
5.2.5. Identification and prioritization of tasks and needs that improve overall preparedness of the region, and creation of task forces to perform such tasks as required.
A Steering Committee has been formed which provides guidance and assistance in the formulation of training programs, assistance in organizing and recruiting, evaluation of materials and supplies under consideration for purchase and administrative support of the entire program.
The Communications Committee is responsible for providing internal communications within the region and external communications to disaster response organizations outside of the immediate La Honda area. The basic function of the Communications Committee is to set up communications mechanisms and procedures tailored to the needs and rural nature of the region, and to operate and maintain communications services during an emergency.
Specific details of the committee's responsibilities and procedures are in a separate Handbook for that committee.
5.5. Shelter and Special Care Committee
The Shelter and Special Care Committee is responsible for planning and delivering basic human services within the region during a disaster, such as emergency shelter, coordinating such efforts with external disaster response organizations outside of the immediate La Honda area. The basic function of this committee is to prepare for, and subsequently provide, basic human services which are beyond the scope of individual Captains. A typical example would be a community shelter to provide shelter and food during a widespread disaster.
Specific details of the committee's responsibilities and procedures are in a separate Handbook for that committee.
5.6. Resource Management Committee
The Resource Management Committee is responsible for managing and coordinating the use of all N.E.S.T. resources within the region during a disaster, and for planning and organizing supplies of such resources with external disaster response organizations outside of the immediate La Honda area.
Specific details of the committee's responsibilities and procedures are in a separate Handbook for that committee.
The La Honda Volunteer Fire Brigade provides support to the entire program. This organization can act as an intermediary for arranging training and assisting in the procurement of material and supplies.
The American Red Cross, Bay Area, San Mateo Region has been supporting the La Honda Region N.E.S.T. activities with the goal of providing these essential programs and services to rural coastside communities. The American Red Cross provides instruction for various courses and certifies qualified participants. This aggressive sponsorship not only provides the community with the support it needs, but also develops a pool of potential trained emergency services volunteers. N.E.S.T. instruction includes First Aid and CPR, Damage Assessment, Shelter Management, and associated courses. These classes are offered at little or no expense.
There are various governmental and civilian organizations which provide assistance in planning, training and supplying emergency response organizations. Some charge fees while others provide assistance at little or no cost. Many of the resources are available with the assistance of the Office of Emergency Services.
The N.E.S.T. program is an important asset to the survival of the community. Corporate and individual sponsorships are encouraged. The sponsorships will provide funds for printing N.E.S.T. Handbooks, procurement of training materials and funding of essential training exercises. Donations of materials, such as emergency supplies, or services, such as training, are also welcome. Interested contributors should contact the La Honda N.E.S.T. Steering Committee.
The N.E.S.T. program is designed to be self supporting. Few funds are available from outside sources except for very basic training needs and administrative. Any other funds required are generated by the N.E.S.T. participants, such as through neighborhood activities.
An account has been established by the Steering Committee which can be used to collect funds for programs initiated by the N.E.S.T. neighborhoods. For example, the Captains Committee may elect to provide a survival kit for each home. Funds may be accumulated in the account. The Steering Committee may then negotiate with several vendors and receive the best price available because of the buying power of the fund
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