PROPOSED: COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE and SUPPORT TEAM MEETING

A small group met at the Mi Wuk / Sugar Pine fire station tonight to consider the formation of a Community Assistance and Support Team, C.A.S.T. for short.

This Team will consist of citizens who are interested in providing assistance and support to the Fire District as directed by the District Fire Chief.  This is a great opportunity to come together and support your community in ways that fit your skills.

Responsibilities could include (with proper training and certification as necessary)

• operating department non-emergency vehicles and equipment---this would include retrieving departmental personnel from out of District locations--such as a firefighter who has accompanied someone down to Sonora to the hospital and now needs a ride back up the hill.  A C.A.S.T. volunteer could pick the firefighter up rather than sending another firefighter and fire truck to bring him/her back.
• retrieve District hoses and equipment from fire and other emergency response sites
• move tables and chairs to event locations
• Other assistance and support could include administrative and clerical duties
• find and write grants
• assist the District Secretary in filing, copying etc
• answer phones when all station personnel are out on a call during time of emergency
• Miscellaneous duties could include
• Fire Station maintenance, construction (new bathroom/tiling), and housekeeping
• be a greeter during a time when the station is being utilized as a warming shelter/center
• prepare coffee, etc. when station is being utilized as a warming shelter/center
• Grounds keeping
• equipment maintenance etc.

During and after emergency situations, CAST could provide Team support through

• establishing communication links by ham radio and telephone
• provide onsite information of road conditions
• checking on stranded residents
• assistance at evacuation and warming centers
• provide coffee, nourishment, water, etc. for fire personnel at or near scene of an emergency

These are tasks that community members can provide in times of need or emergency.  Remember last winter???  This is what we're talking about.  

The next C.A.S.T. formation meeting will be held at the Mi Wuk/Sugar Pine Fire Station on Thursday, October 13th, at 7 p.m.  Just show up.  Please.  We need YOU!

In the meantime, you can pick up an informational packet at the fire station (Secretary's office).  If you choose to you can also fill out an interest form, stating your name, email, skills, interest areas etc.  This will be the beginning of a contact list for when C.A.S.T. gets off the ground and is called in to service.

Questions?  Just send me an email, blythek@mac.com , and I'll forward it to Kirk Wallace who is pulling this Team together.  This is an effort whose time has come.

(yes, today is the first day of Fall)