GILROY
– Earthquakes, floods, fires and terrorism are disasters that
every Gilroyan needs to be prepared for, but in most cases is not,
according to Gilroy’s fire and police departments.
GILROY – Earthquakes, floods, fires and terrorism are disasters that every Gilroyan needs to be prepared for, but in most cases is not, according to Gilroy’s fire and police departments.
That’s why both the Gilroy Police Department and the Gilroy Fire Department are joining together to offer a free disaster preparedness workshop to Gilroy citizens.
“We want people to realize that in the case of a catastrophic event they could be cut off as an individual, a household or a neighborhood from outside help,” said Yvette Phillips, a fire education specialist for the GFD who is helping organize the upcoming workshop. “People should be able to survive on their own without outside food and water for 72 hours.”
Titled “Get a G.R.I.P.! (Gilroy Residents In Preparation),” the April 26 workshop will teach Gilroyans how to survive a disaster situation until professional responders arrive. Often following catastrophic events, response resources, transportation, communication and utilities are restricted, and citizens are forced to support themselves, Phillips said.
During the workshop firefighting and police personnel will demonstrate how preparing an emergency plan within households and even individual neighborhoods can ensure that people have the resources to survive the aftermath of any potential disaster, Phillips said.
Students of the six-hour class will also receive first-aid training and certification – a skill that costs $60 to acquire through the Red Cross.
This is the first time both the GPD and GFD will combine forces to offer the G.R.I.P. class. The class is being paid for by the GFD, the GPD and a grant from Wal-Mart.
The class size is limited to the first 30 citizens who sign up for “Get a G.R.I.P.!” Registrations for the workshop that will be accepted until April 23. The class will go from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free. To register call the GFD Public Education office at
846-0372.
