By Nancy Hiser
Treasure is pronounced “cache” here. In 2018, Sarah Heinecke wrote a proposal to Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) to provide emergency supplies in 50-gallon drums for each Linnton neighborhood. The grant was funded; materials were selected and sorted on a per capita basis for Springville, Germantown, Hoge, Linnton , Harborton, and Newberry. Harborton and Newberry, having fewer residents, divided their allocated materials with Riverview and Marina Way residents.
The cache locations were shared with PBEM and the caretakers signed a memorandum of understanding with PBEM. It was suggested that each neighborhood hold an annual get together with neighbors and review the cache inventory. Then COVID hit.
Later, 600 masks were donated to us and handwashing stations were constructed by volunteers for the neighborhoods. Recently, gifts from PBEM and Neighbors West Northwest (NWNW) added voice megaphones, batteries, tarps, handsaws, and emergency flashlight/radios to our supplies.
Three resource folders were created in May 2020 and given to each neighborhood with relevant community information (such as the Operations Plan, and maps), neighborhood information (such as the staging location, suggested inventories of residents’ skills and supplies), and radio communication (including a map of Linnton’s radio connections and forms for radio communication).
All of these efforts equip your neighborhood to be more resilient.
So, here’s the QUIZ:
1. Where is your closest cahce?
2. What’s in it?
3. What additional supplies should your cache have to meet your neighborhood needs?
ANSWERS
1. If you don’t know, contact Nancy at nancyhiser@comcast.net to find out. Tell us what neighborhood you live in.
2. Get together with neighbors and inventory your cache—over coffee, wine, or ?? Social connection build resilience and that’s a goal. Note items that are expired: some are still okay; some can be replaced by PBEM. Let us know.
3. Make a list of anything you think of to add that might be helpful.
Beginning with the January-February 2023 LNA newsletter, NET will offer regular suggestions of items to collect and donate to your cache. You could start now by throwing in a roll of toilet paper—you’ll need that. To keep it sanitary and easy to hand off to someone, put it in a ziplocked bag or wrap it securely.