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Note: Soon, you will be hearing about Concord Citizens Y2K, a group of which this magazine is a founding member. Together with other community members, we will be helping neighborhoods prepare themselves for Y2K. We are very excited to see this type of grassroots organization and are privileged to serve the community as a part of it. More information on this in the near future.
But what is NOT uncertain is that the existing infrastructures will not be sweeping in to solve all our problems while we passively stand by. Governmental agencies, social service organizations, and our communications and transportation systems are vulnerable. "The E-911 system in Concord only has three answering points (phones)," says Leonard Wetherbee, Concord's Chief of Police. "In a widespread emergency it is obvious how quickly it becomes jammed. When our
system jams, the calls default to Acton and vice versa. Basically the entire
system would or could become jammed in a widespread emergency."
Who Ya Gonna Call?
It seems reasonable that the burden of keeping our citizenry safe, well, and warm cannot fall only on others' shoulders. We will have to take care of ourselves and one another. One of the greatest tools for the kind of caretaking we may need is a healthy, vibrant, and close-knit neighborhood. Neighbors looking out for neighbors...lending each other a hand...matching strengths with needs...turning to one another.
And one of the best ways to make this happen is to PLAN it. Previously, the sudden big blizzard or power outage brought us together. But since we have the rare opportunity of knowing this problem might be coming, it only makes sense to prepare as much ahead of time as possible. Wetherbee believes that "pre-planning and having self-reliance programs in place for neighborhoods to deal with basic issues" is vital. And we wholeheartedly agree.
This means meeting those neighbors you never got around to knowing. Learning a little about who lives close by, their skills and needs. Who may require an extra helping hand? Who has special training and abilities to lend? Who has taken on the role of neighborhood leader? If you don't already know the answer to these questions, it is time you found out. Do it before your or their wellbeing may depend upon it.
Calling All Neighborhoods
Soon, you will be hearing about neighborhood meetings throughout Concord convened to help with Y2K preparation. Please come out and discover ways to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors. In the meantime, take a look at the marvelous booklet the Utne Reader has put out about creating personal and community preparedness. You can buy one at either the Dream Wheel (191 Sudbury Road) or at Spice and Grain (Thoreau Street). You can also see it on the Web at http://www.utne.com/y2k. In it are very sensible and smart articles and instructions to help put your family and neighborhood into action. This is a rare opportunity at community building and one which you may be thankful for come the new year.
See your message here! More info
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Are Shelters the Answer?
Concord is doing a great job preparing for shelters in public buildings should we need them -- if, say, we lose electricity for any length of time. We asked a Concord resident, Shirley C., who has stayed in a shelter following a California earthquake what it was like.
"For the first six hours, it was party time. And then it started to get ugly. For example, we were assigned times we could use the toilet, eat, and sleep. There was no other way to accommodate all the needs of so many people given the limitations space and other resources.
"I am determined not to go to a shelter during possible Y2K problems. In order to stay in my home, I have spent a long time preparing my house and family and I recommend you start doing the same immediately if you have not already. No one is going to do this for you."
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Art: The Unknown Artist
