Do you remember playing ‘What If....?’ when you were a kid?

As adults, we still have these uncertainties. Now our ‘What Ifs" are aimed at power outages or natural disasters such as earthquakes and wild fires that can devastate. To alleviate these "What Ifs’ require an effort on your part called PLANNING.

Do you have an evacuation plan? Do you have a neighborhood response plan? Do you know w hat to do at a moment’s notice? Planning and education and take the what-iffing out of possible future disasters. Did you know that there have been a series of small earthquakes felt in RB in the past month? Even a significant one on June 15 (5.3 magnitude)?

We in Rancho Bernardo are fortunate to have an organization that can help you ‘What If’ and plan for emergencies---it’s the Emergency Preparedness Program. EPP works closely with the San Diego City Fire Department and the SD County Emergency Operations Center. The EPP group is made up of volunteers from all the Community Centers. Do you want to volunteer? Call Jim Harmon at 858-451-9550. Jim will direct you to the EPP group that is in your area or help set up a new group.

The Community Centers also serve as evacuation centers. if needed, during an emergency. The main office of the EPP is on the 2nd floor of the RB Library, along with Neighborhood Watch and Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol (RSVP). A wealth of information of "What If" and planning is available, from Federal, State, County, City and local organizations. Go to the EPP display board at the library, 2^nd floor at the elevator.

So as you think about and plan for a ‘What If’ emergency situation, pick up the literature mentioned above or call or Jim Harmon for help. EPP volunteers are ready and willing to help you plan for emergency situations.

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Speaking of planning, parties are being planned for RB Neighborhood Watch’s 21^st National Night Out Against Crime. Neighborhood get-togethers are already being organized in Oaks North, Seven Oaks, Westwood, Bernardo Heights, High Country West, Swim & Tennis and Eastview. Planned are: dessert and wine, coffee and cookies, fruit and cheese, potluck and even catered affairs. What’s the reason for these get-togethers? To greet your neighbors, meet new neighbors, share safety and security information, plan for possible disasters, and update Information Sheets and emergency contacts.