Team will keep city connected in crises:
Story By Jasmine Lee

When disaster strikes _ it could be an earthquake, a nuclear attack or an accidental explosion at the refinery _ a growing army of Torrance residents will be poised for action.
A new program, Community Volunteer Alert Network, intends to tie together all of the city's emergency preparedness efforts _ police and fire, citizen rescue teams, amateur radio operators and other volunteers.
With the help of a federal grant, Hope Witkowsky, the director of [RSVP] a nonprofit volunteer service and a city councilwoman, is organizing CVAN. For Witkowsky, homeland security starts at home. "I like to say it's hometown security," she said.
The state Office of Emergency Services encourages residents to volunteer and be prepared themselves, said Sheryl Tankersley, a spokeswoman for the agency.

Hope Witkowsky, left, heads a Torrance group which brings together amateur radio operators, rescue teams and other volunteers. Working with her are Ted Newsome and Ghislaine Davis.; Credit: STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER -- SCOTT VARLEY

"When something happens, every disaster is a local disaster first," she said.
In the case of a widespread emergency, the phone lines will be down, the electricity will be out and residents could be stranded for up to 72 hours while paramedics and law enforcement officers respond to the disaster. Volunteer programs _ such as the Fire Department-trained Community Emergency Response Team and the Torrance Amateur Radio Association _ are already in place, but CVAN will link all facets.
It will also allow regular citizens to help out in crucial ways without getting in the way of the professionals, Witkowsky said. Both the police and fire chiefs support the program. "I knew that it was really important for me to get the city's first responders to sign on to this," she said.
The new organization will conduct its first drill July 12. Starting at 10 a.m., the neighborhood volunteers will walk their blocks, explaining the program to other residents. In an actual emergency, the volunteers would check in on their neighbors and find out if there were any major injuries or special needs.
After canvassing the street, the neighborhood volunteers will walk to the nearest amateur radio operator volunteer's home to find out what type of disaster has occurred. The radio operators will be in touch with the latest information from the Torrance police and will also relay any critical information from the streets to police and fire personnel.
The drill is expected to be complete by 11:30 a.m.
Torrance resident Ted Newsome, who has been a ham operator for 40 years, has offered his services _ including an RV stocked with radio equipment. The program, which allows him to use his expertise and help the community, appealed to him, Newsome said.
Witkowsky _ who is executive director of RSVP, a nonprofit group that puts volunteers to work _ is seeking more Torrance residents, ranging from helpful neighbors to experienced ham radio operators, to make CVAN work. She said volunteers are needed on every street _ she keeps a large map of Torrance, highlighting spots where volunteers live.
CVAN will provide training for volunteers and require participation in two drills a year.
Rep. Jane Harman, D-El Segundo, who has been working closely on homeland security issues, commended Witkowsky's efforts and praised the program.
"My hat is off to Hope Witkowsky for the creation of a program that will save precious time in the event of a terrorist attack or natural disaster when every second counts," Harman said.

Find out more
For more information or to volunteer, call 310-320-3322

Back to CVAN archive list.