In lower Manhattan,
many residents are not yet organized with their neighbors. This can be
remedied with a little creativity and some organizational sense.
It only takes one or two people to start the ball rolling. Some of you
might already have co-op or condo boards. This is a great start. For those
of you who do have an organization, you should consider having one person
— or more — start an emergency action committee. The committee
should identify who:
has young children
needs life supporting medication
are disabled
are seniors
could help in an emergency (identify skills and professions, i.e.,
doctors/nurses, architects, social workers, therapists)
This need not be invasion of privacy. A sample
form can be distributed to residents, who should be asked to fill
in the information. The need for this information is not speculative.
We have already seen what happens when everyone is on their own.
If each tenant has the email and phone number of a committee leader,
it will be easier to keep in contact if evacuation is necessary. It’s
difficult to know when it will be possible to return home if no one is
in charge — someone must take responsibility to get information
for the rest of the neighbors.
“My cell phone number was mysteriously distributed
as a Tribeca emergency number and I became the contact person for area
residents who did not have tenant associations.”
If you discover there aren't enough people in your building who are interested
yet, expand out to a block association. And if there are very few people
on your block — pick a range of streets or an area — and create
a neighborhood association.
Talk to some of your neighbors about it. See who is willing to at least
help it get started. The person who eventually heads up the group, and
an assistant, should be selected by ability — to keep a clear head
and make good choices especially in an emergency. The person doesn't have
to operate alone, but it's important to have one or two selected leaders
who will serve as coordinators of the group. (President, Vice President,
Co-captain, you decide.)
At Independence Plaza our leadership motto is: "Focus on the goal
and leave the personal agendas at home." In other words, the person
who leads the group must keep the Group's well-being as the most important
motivating factor.
Johns Hopkins University's Center for Civilian Biodefense invited a representative
of the Independence Plaza North Tenant Association to share our experience
of 9/11/01, and the ten-day aftermath, at a seminar held in Washington
DC last November.
The Center felt that IPN's response exemplified the positive ability
and resilience of an American Community in an impossible situation. The
audience was comprised of medical organizations, government & volunteer
emergency responders, members of the Center for Disease Control, etc.
Days later we received emails that five groups were already organizing
around the country as a direct result of IPN's presentation.
Community
/ Preparedness
In lower Manhattan,
many residents are not yet organized with their neighbors. This can be
remedied with a little creativity and some organizational sense.