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Community group Repack proposes neighborhood resiliency hubs, radios and volunteer networks
Summary
Resilient East Palo Alto Community Team (Repack) urged the council to develop six geographically dispersed resiliency hubs equipped with radios, generators and supplies, and to expand youth and volunteer preparedness programs to shore up immediate local capacity during disasters.
Robert Jones, representing Repack (the Resilient East Palo Alto Community Team), asked the council to support neighborhood‑scale preparedness by equipping and exercising ‘‘resiliency hubs’’ in six city areas, training volunteer teams for block‑by‑block assessments and improving radio communications between neighborhoods and the city Emergency Operations Center.
Jones described specific elements for hubs: backup generators or charging capability, water and food caches, ham or GMRS/FRS radio nodes, and pre‑identified volunteers to conduct rapid windshield assessments and basic first aid. He said Repack has mapped six neighborhoods and already operates one community radio hub at Faith Missionary Baptist Church.
Nut graf: The Repack proposal focuses on filling the initial gap after a major event when city and county resources may be delayed: neighborhood hubs and trained local volunteers can assess needs, share information to a central node, and provide immediate support to vulnerable residents.
Councilors and staff asked for details on formal agreements, storage logistics, and coordination with Menlo Park Fire and the Red Cross. Jones said Repack has run training classes, radio tests and community exercises since 2015 and seeks city cooperation to scale up neighborhood hub capacity.
Ending: The council thanked Repack and directed staff to continue coordination with community groups and first‑responder partners to expand hubs and volunteer recruitment.
