TEMECULA: In Hurricane Harvey’s wake, Temecula Citizen Corps advocates personal preparedness

August 31, 2017 Trevor Montgomery

TEMECULA — Saying, “It’s never too early to prepare for an emergency,” the City of Temecula has announced that the catastrophic events related to Hurricane Harvey have left many across the nation, as well as here locally, searching for answers and looking for the best way possible to prepare for any emergency or disaster.

The tragedy that has devastated much of Texas “has shed a light on the need for all citizens to prepare for unexpected community hazards,” Greg Butler, Assistant City Manager and Roberto Cardena, the City’s Risk Manager explained in a recent City of Temecula press release.

SEE RELATED: TEMECULA: Disaster preparedness advice from Temecula’s Office of Public Safety

Following the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001, state and local government officials have increased opportunities for citizens to “become integral parts of protecting the homeland and supporting the local first responders,” according to TCC’s website.

In 2003, the City of Temecula formed the Temecula Citizen Corps (TCC) to educate and train local residents to contribute to the community’s well-being.

Building on the successful efforts already in place in many communities around the country, designed and intended to “prevent crime and respond to emergencies,” Citizen Corps programs continuously strive to “make Temecula safer” through various forms of training, education, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery.

“The TCC provides Temecula residents the resources they need, in the event of an emergency or disaster, by providing and advocating for personal responsibility, disaster training, and volunteer service,” according to the release.

Moreover, the TCC’s mission is to “harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make Temecula safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues and disasters of all kinds.”

One of the TCC’s primary goals is to provide group and individual training to those willing and interested and reminds the community that there are ways citizens can remain safe and prepared:

Prepare yourself and your family

Formulate a family disaster preparedness plan.
Prepare your emergency kits and supplies. (Click here for a full list of necessary and important supplies to always have on hand, as well as other important information and advice.)
Know of the possible emergencies and stay informed.

Join and become active in your local Neighborhood Watch program

Keep your home and neighborhood safe.
Know enough to know when something or someone is out of place.
Be eligible for TCC training: First Aid, CPR, AED, and more!

CERT: Community Emergency Response Team

Train to help your family, help your neighbors; and if possible, help emergency responders and the City in time of need.

Anyone interested in becoming a part of the TCC team and taking a more pro-active position in local disaster preparedness; that allows you to help your neighbors in the event of an emergency, receive free additional training in First Aid, CPR, AED and more, the TCC meets every first and third Tuesday of the month at the Field Operations Center – across the driveway from Old City Hall – at 43230 Business Park Drive in Temecula.

There is no cost to attend or obligation to join and all are welcome.

To join, complete the membership application package and bring it along to one of TCC’s business meetings or training meetings, or those interested can mail their application in.

For more information, visit TCC’s website or can contact the the TCC directly via email.

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg and breaking his back in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 13 – soon to be 14 – grandchildren.