National Preparedness Month Wrap-up: Participate

As the 2021 National Preparedness Month comes to an end, consider getting involved in your community’s readiness. Hopefully you have taken a step or two towards making your household a little more prepared to handle the unexpected. If you could still use a few pointers, check out Weston’s Community Emergency Preparedness & Response Guide. It's available online at westonma.gov/Prepare.

While it is great for preparedness to start at home, our whole community can benefit from a little assistance from each of us. Depending on your interests, there are a variety of ways to get involved.

Combating Climate Change

For instance, those who take the "long view" can join the Sustainable Weston Action Group in reducing the town’s contributions, and vulnerability, to climate change.

To get us started, Weston's Sustainability Committee developed Weston Ahead: Climate Action and Resilience Plan, which features an excellent Climate Action Toolkit (PDF) for homeowners as a guide to reducing household greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience in the face of a changing climate.

Protecting Environmental Assets

Ensuring the environment of our conservation lands and trails are safe and well-maintained is another way to help the community. The Conservation Department is seeking volunteers to serve as Bark Rangers who help keep trails clean and safe, while encouraging pleasant recreation for all users.

Weston Forest and Trail Association, along with the Conservation Commission, is seeking volunteer land stewards to help maintain and protect the 2,000 acres of protected land in Weston.

Helping with Public Safety

An easy step is to join the Weston Emergency Reserve Corps, an all-volunteer group of citizens who are willing, but never required, to help out in a community-wide emergency. The WERC is sponsored by the Weston Department of Public Health, but as the Weston Branch of the Medical Reserve Corps it exists as a part of a dynamic network of local, regional, and national organizations dedicated to rapid, safe, and effective crisis response. All are invited to volunteer, medical and non-medical alike, and there is a particular need for people with mental health backgrounds. Members can benefit from a range of training, practicing with Weston’s first responders, and staying informed about local, state, and federal readiness topics. And don’t worry if you haven’t gotten your own house in order yet - the WERC can help you do that too! Contact the Weston Board of Health or check out westonma.gov/WERC to find out more.

Participating in Town Government

Town Government directly impacts communities and Weston is looking for residents to participate in making those impacts positive. From maintaining and developing more energy efficient buildings to creating more affordable and equitable housing.

Visit Westonma.gov/volunteer to find the latest opportunities on some very important town committees.

“I can’t do everything, but I can do something.”

There are many ways to make a difference. In the words of Edward Everett Hale, “I can’t do everything, but I can do something.”

Start with the prevention and preparedness issues that resonate most with you and get involved, whether it means taking action now to help spare future generations from more extreme events or joining with others to make sure that nobody is left out of preparedness plans and considerations, no matter their age.

Whatever your passion, it can be applied to increasing our readiness and resilience. Everybody benefits when we all do what we can to make sure our whole community is ready together.