FORD'S COLONY

 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

Next CERT Meeting May 7 at 3 PM

Ford's Colony Honored for Efforts in Disaster Preparedness

Ford's Colony, Riverview Plantation, and Longhill Gate were honored for participating in the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program.  These communities were recognized by the Citizens Corps Council and James City County at a "Preparedness Celebration".  Alice Roth of Ford's Colony, who has participated in the CERT program from the beginning, was given an Outstanding Leadership Award for her work in promoting the CERT program.

Ford's Colony CERT

Ford's Colony Community Emergency Response Team (FC-CERT) includes Ford's Colony staff and residents who have completed CERT training.  This training provides community members with basic response skills for aiding the professional emergency responders in case of an overwhelming disastrous event. 
FC-CERT is directly responsible to the Board of Directors, Homeowners' Association, and Management of Ford's Colony.  The mission of the FC-CERT members is to integrate  their skills with the Ford's Colony professional staff in a disaster response, or whenever needed.

We are in the process of developing a disaster plan to aid the Ford's Colony community in the event of an emergency or disaster.

More information on CERT training may be found at the the James City County CERT website -  http://www.jccegov.com/fire/cert.php

Ford's Colony Cert Mission Statement

Following a catastrophic disaster such as a hurricane or tornado, residents of Ford's Colony may have to rely upon assistance from each other for a period of time until County emergency services arrive.

The goal of the Ford's Colony Community Emergency Response Program is to organize, plan, and train neighborhood volunteers to respond to these types of emergencies. This program is coordinated with and supported by the JCC Fire and Safety Department.

The Ford's Colony Community Emergency Response Team is a volunteer program comprised of residents ofFord's Colony. It is only as effective as the involvement of everyone concerned. There is no "guarantee" that we will meet all our goals and be able to respond to all emergencies.  However, previous events such as Hurricane Isabel showed that we can and do work together to help our friends and neighbors get through difficult times. This program seeks to organize that support on a larger scale to respond to devastating events.

This program is not a substitute for the County's Emergency Management Program, nor is it a substitute for Red Cross, State and Federal support aid. We will not store food, water, or medicine for Fords Colony. Each individual has a responsibity to review the information provided by the County's emergency management office and prepare for known events. Each individual also has a responsibility to monitor radio and television and local emergency information sources prior, during and following community wide emergencies for specific instructions from emergency management.

The organization and planning of this program is based on the nationally developed Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program. This plan is oriented to responding to severe weather events, such as hurricanes and tornados, since these are the primary concern in our area. Ford's Colony is not in the 100-year flood plain nor is it in the hurricane storm surge zone; however, winds and damage to other parts to the County can affect our neighborhood. This neighborhood plan, procedures and training can also be used to respond to other disasters that could affect our neighborhood.

Portions reprinted with permission ftom Tabb Lakes CERT.

CERT ALERT!

Winter Has Arrived

Are you ready for what Mother Nature may send in our direction?  The VA Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) website has a wealth of information on preparing for winter weather.  The site not only has information from VDEM, but has links to winter information from VDOT, National Weather Service, and American Red Cross.  The website can found at  http://www.vaemergency.com/threats/winter/index.cfm  The Travel Center on the VDOT website contains links for road conditions, driving videos, commuter info, etc.

A preparedness guide to winter storms can be found at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/winterstorm.pdf

Winter and holiday hazards for pets can be found at http://www.sspca.org/WinterHazards.html.  Hazards for cats can be found at http://www.cfa.org/articles/winter-hazards.html

The U.S. Fire Administration website discuses fire safety in the home http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/all_citizens/home_fire_prev/heating/index.shtm

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