Residents, city youth committee report on emergency preparedness, summer programs and volunteer efforts

At the June 10 Bountiful City Council meeting, two community speakers described volunteer emergency-preparedness activities and recent youth programming.

Casey Bowen, a Bountiful resident and member of the Bountiful neighborhood emergency preparedness council, told the council the volunteer group has 14 members and operates under the direction of Police Department personnel (Chief Bealer and Lieutenant Smith). Bowen said the council conducts community training and exercises — a recognized Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program with twice‑yearly trainings — and has assisted with evacuations and responses during incidents such as a gun-range fire and windstorms. Bowen also said Mayor Kendalyn Harris has taken the CERT course and that the Davis County Amateur Radio Emergency Field Day will take place June 20–21; he asked the council about an emergency radio proclamation but said he understood the council does not issue such proclamations.

John Cook, advisor for the Bountiful City Youth Committee (BCYC), reviewed the committee’s recent activity and upcoming schedule. Cook said the BCYC finished its year with a “Stomp on Main” event that drew about 170 youth and that the committee logged more than 850 volunteer hours for the year. He said the BCYC’s new term includes 59 members across nine schools (18 seniors, 15 juniors, 12 sophomores and 14 freshmen) and that the group reorganized into four committees focused on youth‑led events, community support, service projects and engagement. Cook said youth volunteers helped operate the chalk art festival (28 volunteers) and that the BCYC will send 14 youth to a food‑pantry volunteer shift next week; the group is also planning for hand‑cart days and finalizing apparel orders.

Council members thanked Bowen and Cook for their work and for volunteer engagement in safety and youth programming.