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Useful Guides, Links & Tips

The following documents and Web sites contain useful guidelines and instructions for organized neighborhoods and emergency preparedness. Some of these documents are PDF files that require Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free download.

Organizing Neighborhoods:

• MON Leaders Guide - a PDF document that describes five basic steps to take to organize a new neighborhood group, gives tips for maintaining a group, information on Neighborhood Watch and CORE (Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies) training, and provides information on the specific duties of a MON Leader. Updated 2/11/10.
• MON Brochure - a PDF brochure that outlines why and how to organize for emergency preparedness (or any other area of concern). This is a useful document to hand out to neighbors when starting to organize. Updated 4/19/10
• Block Party Guide - a 16 page PDF document from the City of Oakland that gives helpful suggestions for organizing a neighborhood event, an excellent first step in getting a neighborhood organized.
• Example Neighborhood Newsletter - a Word document example of an existing neighborhood newsletter that you can use to create your own. .

Emergency Preparedness:

• Are You Prepared? - a PDF document from Oakland's Office of Emergency Services that outlines lessons for Montclair residents to learn from the Katrina disaster.
• Helping Children Cope with a Disaster - a PDF document that provides information on how to prepare for your children's safety during an emergency.
• Pets Preparedness Packet - a PDF document that provides information on how to prepare for your pet's safety during an emergency.
• Your Pets Need Protection Too - a PDF document that provides additional information on how to protect your pet from a disaster.
• Gas Shut-Off Valve Tips - a PDF document that provides information and tips on emergency gas shut-off valves.
• Emergency Electric Generator Tips - a PDF document that provides information and tips on emergency power generators.
• Response Levels - a PDF document that describes the severity of earthquake damage that can be used to determine when to active the Neighborhood Command Center.
• Example Supply Checklist - a PDF document that provides an example checklist of emergency supplies for your Neighborhood Command Center.

CORE Information:

• CORE Training Classes - a link to the CORE Web site with details of upcoming course content and scheduled classes.
• Neighborhood Incident Command Center Guidelines - examples of what what existing neighborhood groups have created for their own ICC use
  • Incident Command Center Set up
  • Incident Commander
• Deployed Team Guidelines - examples of what existing neighborhood groups have created for their own use.
  • Communications Team
  • Damage Assessment Team
  • Hazard Reduction Team
  • Search & Rescue Team
• Exercise Guidelines - examples of table-top and real-world situations from CORE and from existing neighborhood groups.
  • CORE Tabletop Scenarios
  • HNG Command Center Tabletop Exercise - November 2007
  • HNG Command Center Tabletop Exercise - January 2008
  • HNG Command Center Tabletop Exercise - March 2008

Radio Communications:

• MSIC Radio Communications Recommendations - a PDF document for MON Leaders and neighbors that outlines 2-way radio types, internal and external radio procedures, FCC registration info, radio channel cross references and communications recommendations.

Earthquakes, Mudslides and Seismic Retrofitting:

• Preparing for and Responding to Earthquakes -- this site is a comprehensive how-to book on preparing your house for earthquakes.
• Recognizing and Preparing for Land/Mud Slides -- this site describes how to recognize an impending land/mud slide and to respond to it.
• Homeowner's Guide to Seismic Retrofitting - a 10 page PDF document that explains necessary retrofitting techniques for homes that have cripple walls rather than sitting on a solid foundation.
• Framing Earthquake Retrofitting Decisions: The Case of Hillside Homes in Los Angeles - a 44 page PDF document that explains necessary retrofitting techniques for homes built on a hillside, common in our area.

Wildfires and Prevention :

• Oakland Wildfire Prevention District - homeowner's wildfire prevention and response resources from the Oakland Wildfire Prevention District.
• Wildfire Prevention FAQ - a list of Frequently Asked Questions on wildfire prevention from Oakland Fire Department's Fire Prevention Bureau.
• Insuring Against Wildfires - this site provides excellent guidance on insuring your premises against wildfires.
• Preparing, Responding, and Recovering from Wildfires - this Red Cross site is a great primer on preparing for and responding to wildfires.

Miscellaneous:

• Local Emergency Hospitals and Veterinary Hospitals - addresses, directions and maps to local emergency hospitals and local veterinary hospitals.
• Mountain Lion Tips - precautions that can be taken to help prevent dangerous mountain lion related incidents.