In Major Disasters, Neighbors are Your First Responders
When a major disaster strikes, the first people we turn to aren't always the ones in uniforms—they are the people living next door.
While our city has incredible resources like FEMA, the Office of Emergency Management, and our local hospitals, a major event like the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZE) earthquake would impact so many people at once that professional services simply wouldn't be able to reach everyone immediately. This is why the concept of "neighbor-helping-neighbor" is so vital.
For years, the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) has supported Neighborhood Emergency Teams (NET)—groups of volunteers trained to help their neighbors during "the big one." While we have many wonderful volunteers, we need more hands on deck to ensure every street in our community is safe.
That’s where the Block Captain program comes in. We are excited to bring the Block Captain model—which was successfully launched in Irvington earlier this year—to Sullivan’s Gulch.
What is a Block Captain?
A Block Captain is simply a community-minded neighbor who wants to make our street a little safer. You don't need to be a first responder; you just need to care about the people around you. Block Captains help:
Build Connections: They help neighbors know one another, especially during extreme weather like heat waves, winter storms, or power outages.
Check-In: They provide a friendly point of contact to check on neighbors, particularly our elders and those with disabilities.
Communicate: If cell towers go down, Block Captains are trained to use MESH radios to relay information and needs to our local NET team.
We provide the tools; you provide the heart.
We want to make it as easy as possible for you to get involved. We will provide Block Captains with:
Specialized Training: Learn life-saving skills like First Aid, "Stop The Bleed," CPR, and emergency sanitation.
Communication Gear: We will provide MESH radios and conduct monthly tests to ensure they work when they are needed most.
Essential Supplies: Thanks to a generous grant from the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN), we are distributing 7-gallon emergency water containers (complete with instructions on how to store and treat water) to help our neighbors to "Be 2 Weeks Ready."
Join us at our upcoming events!
Want to learn more or grab a water container? Come say hello at:
The Prepare Fair: Join us at Holladay Park on August 22nd (4:30–6:30 PM) for information and a chance to meet the team.
Gulch-o-Rama: Join us at our neighborhood block party on September 12th (2-6 PM) for more info and supplies!
Community Resilience Workshop: Learn how to prepare and protect your home through a guided workshop using PBEM workbooks on September 5th (2-4pm)
Block Captain Kick-Off: Meet other people interested in becoming Sullivan's Gulch Block Captains and learn about MESH radios and other resiliency opportunities on September 27th (10am-12pm).
Together, we can make Sullivan’s Gulch a more resilient, connected, and prepared place to call home.