By Rodd Cayton, The Paper.
Placitas’ local emergency preparedness group is turning the tables. The Placitas Resilience & Emergency Preparedness Alliance (PREP) is asking residents what they think they need to learn.
The organization presents community briefings a few times a year, usually based on a topic of seasonal importance. The Sept. 15 briefing is titled, “Public Perception of Fire Danger & Other Emergencies.” PREP representatives will discuss with attendees the ongoing Emergency Preparedness in Placitas opinion survey.
The survey is online. PREP treasurer and Spokesperson Jay Rodman said the organization mailed out a large postcard to every address in Placitas to inform the community about the survey. It contains both the URL and a QR code linking to the survey. Survey questions cover topics such as where in the community one lives, age and time in Placitas. Respondents are also asked about their specific emergency concerns, their opinions about how prepared they are and whether there is adequate real-time information about emergencies in the Placitas area. The survey also includes spaces for personalized comments.
Rodman said survey results to date will be the basis for a “presentation and discussion of Placitans’ emergency-related priorities.” Organizers will summarize survey results, answer questions from the audience, and open breakout sessions in which residents may discuss their concerns in smaller groups. PREP President Allen Saville told the Sandoval Signpost the purpose of the survey and discussion session is to gauge the level of concern and awareness in Placitas and help the organization tailor future programs. “If they’re not concerned and they’re not aware, we’ve got a big educational challenge,” he said. “If you’re prepared, you’re going to do better when these emergencies happen.”
The presentation is at 7 p.m. at Las Placitas Presbyterian Church, 7 Paseo De San Antonio Road. September is National Preparedness Month as established by FEMA.