In response to last week’s column — which discussed the large development now underway where Redwood City’s Century Park 12 Theatres used to be — reader Cathy correctly noted that kids being driven to school from the new apartments will add to the traffic on East Bayshore Road, since that is the only way vehicles can get in or out of the area. Cathy then went on to ask about some dredging taking place at the rear of the adjacent Alan Steel & Supply Co. property at 505 E. Bayshore Road. That project — which seems to have doubled in size over the past week — is for environmental cleanup. According to the permit, that project aims to “remove approximately 1,500 cubic yards of soil and sediment containing high levels of PCB and other contaminants from the banks and bed of the drainage channel in between, and parallel to, 505 East Bayshore Road and the Bay Trail.” Clean soil will replace what is being (or has been) taken away, and the bank of the channel up against the Alan Steel property will then be replanted.
While I’m glad the cleanup is being done, ideally, a problem like that could have been anticipated and prepared for. Which brings me to a Meals on Wheels in-service meeting my wife and I attended this week — one in which the subject was disaster preparedness. Our meeting was led by a representative from San Mateo County’s Department of Emergency Management, who presented some tips for anticipating and preparing for a major — or even not so major — emergency.
Our speaker began by noting that in the event of a large fire, earthquake or the like, we are the true first responders since we are already on-site. They emphasized the value of knowing one’s neighbors which — in addition to being a good idea in general — could be key if a disaster strikes. If you and your neighbors know one another, not only are they more likely to help you, you are also more likely to help them.
Our speaker then pointed out the value of having a prearranged meeting place for members of your household. If your home is severely damaged at a time when not everyone is home, you and they should have a safe meeting point at which you can gather. In addition, it’s a good idea to have a designated out-of-the-area contact who can act as a central clearinghouse for information about you and your loved ones. Then, in the event of an earthquake, for instance, you need only keep that one person apprised of the situation. They can spread the word and field inquiries from concerned family and friends — leaving you free to deal with more important needs.
A major disaster can leave you out of your house for days — if not longer. For that, we should all have substantial disaster kits with food, water, utensils, medical supplies (including prescriptions), extra clothing, batteries and chargers and other essential items in sufficient quantities to meet the basic needs of every person and pet in one’s household. My wife and I have our disaster kit in a set of clean trash cans — with lids that fasten securely and that can handle the rain — in the far back corner of our yard, putting our kit both out of the way and hopefully safe from falling trees or debris. Thanks to this week’s in-service meeting, we were reminded that it’s time to rotate out the food and water we have stored in our kit. And we learned that some items should instead be in additional, smaller disaster kits — or “go bags.”
Last year’s Southern California fires served as a stark reminder that at any time we could be ordered to evacuate on a moment’s notice. For that, each of us should have a backpack or small duffel — a “go bag” — packed with clothing (including a pair of shoes), some basic first-aid items, a charger (and cable!) for our cellphone, cash, water, some snack bars and the like. If disaster strikes and we need to get out quickly, rather than scurrying around in a panic gathering up essentials, we need only grab our go bags.
My wife and I learned a lot at our meeting — but our speaker had only so much time. Fortunately, the county’s Department of Emergency Management is holding a “Disaster Prep Day” on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the San Mateo County Fairgrounds Event Center. This is a FREE family and community event that will include life-saving skills workshops and hands-on training. There will be activities for kids — including emergency vehicles they can see up close. For more information, including sign-ups for the workshops (including CPR and basic first aid), head to smcgov.org/dem/21st-anniversary-free-2025-disaster-preparedness-day. Put the event on your calendar! I hope to see you there.
Greg Wilson is the creator of Walking Redwood City, a blog inspired by his walks throughout Redwood City and adjacent communities. He can be reached at greg@walkingRedwoodCity.com. Follow Greg on Twitter @walkingRWC.
There used to be a school out their on Bair Island.
Then there was a school building right of Brewster in biking distance to Bair Island.
Now kids from this affluent neighborhood would have to travel 2-3 miles with no bus route available.
But over 40 years ago RCSD decided to go the school segregation route, Therefore the families from here would also have to report to a low-income and segregated school. Of course that means the parents will choose private schools and enrollment goes down, which is the preferred outcome for the board under Mike Wells and John Baker.
Fewer enrolled students means more money for the board to spend on other stuff.
So why is it that Bay Area Democrats in charge of Education don't care much about Education?
Why is it that Bay Area Democrats in charge of public transit don't care much about public transit?
All that virtue signaling just gets old when you never deliver.
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(2) comments
Doubled? I have to go see.
There used to be a school out their on Bair Island.
Then there was a school building right of Brewster in biking distance to Bair Island.
Now kids from this affluent neighborhood would have to travel 2-3 miles with no bus route available.
But over 40 years ago RCSD decided to go the school segregation route, Therefore the families from here would also have to report to a low-income and segregated school. Of course that means the parents will choose private schools and enrollment goes down, which is the preferred outcome for the board under Mike Wells and John Baker.
Fewer enrolled students means more money for the board to spend on other stuff.
So why is it that Bay Area Democrats in charge of Education don't care much about Education?
Why is it that Bay Area Democrats in charge of public transit don't care much about public transit?
All that virtue signaling just gets old when you never deliver.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.