Dodsworth leaves Los Altos legacy for emergency preparedness

Dodsworth

After Sherry Dodsworth found success inventing the Vital Records PortaVault, she wondered about emergency preparedness in her hometown of Los Altos. After communicating with Palo Alto and other communities about their plans, I found Los Altos lacking in comparison. So I took action.

Dodsworth founded the Block Action Team (BAT) and Los Altos PREPARE, two initiatives of the Los Altos Community Foundation, to create standardized neighborhood plans in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. BATs recruit and train group captains to engage neighbors in preparedness plans, building neighborhood security and camaraderie in the process.

“We decided what we wanted to do was develop a neighborhood approach – neighbors reach out to neighbors, help each other out in an emergency,” Dodsworth said. “It turned out that a lot of people were very interested.”

Adopted by the city in 2015, the BAT program has grown to 300 trained volunteers and 100 teams covering 2,800 households – roughly 28% of Los Altos’ total population.

Dodsworth’s efforts led to the city’s adoption of Los Altos PREPARE, which coordinates best available technology with members of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and local Ham radio operators. CERT members undergo special training in first aid and search and rescue techniques to assist in the event of a major earthquake and other disasters.

“She’s an amazing and inspiring character,” said CERT Team Member Harry Jay, “Without her vision of Los Altos PREPARE, her unwavering dedication, serious perseverance and hard work, our city would not have progressed to where it is.”

Mayor Jan Bieber and Los Altos City Council issued a proclamation at a council meeting on November 10 in honor of Dodsworth, who has just moved to Carmel Valley, for her efforts “to improve family preparedness and strengthen the community’s ability to respond to disasters.”

She said, “It is a great honor.” “Don’t do it for rewards. You’re doing it because it’s the right thing to do.”

getting ready

Less than a decade ago, there was no unified contingency plan. Bieber, who was elected to the council in 2012, said she was frustrated and amazed at the lack of support from the city, and that same year, Dodsworth, an accounting expert by profession, took her idea to LACF, where she was a member.

Joe Erie, the foundation’s executive director at the time, said LACF members were impressed by BAT’s three primary functions: preparedness, increased security through neighborhood watch efforts, and encouraging people to get to know each other.

“These measures have led to building a community at the neighborhood level,” Ayer said in an email. “LACF believed that these would emerge and make our community in general a more cooperative and friendly place for families and the elderly. We also believe that BAT leaders may eventually expand into community leaders.”

When Dodsworth went to town, she found an early supporter in Pepper.

“When the ‘huge’ hits, the police and the fires will run out and not be able to help all those in need,” Bieber said. “So organizing neighbors to help each other sounded like a great idea.”

Since then Los Altos has gone from the least prepared community to one of the better prepared ones.

“Sherry has created the momentum to make all this happen,” said Bieber.

Dodsworth said the need for emergency preparedness is more important than ever, in the wake of increased wildfires, power outages and the ongoing pandemic, and apart from responding to emergencies, BAT programs are addressing important issues such as helping the vulnerable elderly. Dodsworth remembered checking in to a 97-year-old neighbor who lives alone after asking relatives to see if she was okay.

For Dodsworth, establishing the BAT wasn’t the first time it had responded to emergency preparedness needs. In 2005, in the wake of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Dodsworth founded Securita and the Vital Records PortaVault – a zippered box made of durable, waterproof fabric that organizes and stores important records and documents and can be carried in an emergency. It sold 4,000 products before discontinuing it in 2018.

Dodsworth does not stop. She plans to participate in emergency preparedness efforts at her new home in the Carmel Valley – an area prone to forest fires and floods from the nearby Carmel River.

“It’s not as complicated as people think to be ready,” she said.

Sherry Readiness Checklist

• Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days). Water heaters are a “great source” of water, Dodsworth said.

• Food – for at least three days.

• Keep your barbecue ready to go (propane or charcoal) In case the power goes out, you can cook. Or invest in a camp stove.

• Instant coffee and strong milk.

• Don’t let your pantry run out – save food (pasta, oatmeal, canned soups, etc.).

• Flashlights – keep one near your bed.

• Shoes – Place a pair near your bed. A common injury after an earthquake is walking on broken glass.

• A first aid kit.

Do not let gas or electrical charges drop in your car.

• Keep cash (small notes) on hand.

For more information on the best available technologies, visit losaltosbat.org.

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