By Moira Jacobs, BVCA President

On May 25th the BVCA partnered with the Bennett Valley Grange once again to provide another free community event, this time focused on our first responders and emergency preparedness. This is always a top priority topic for our community and was well attended. 

The town hall format at our historic Grange Hall gave neighbors an opportunity to meet each other as well as informally interact with all our first responders and ask questions or share top of mind concerns. There were a number of lively discussions about evacuation plans and routes, traffic safety on BVR, as well as deep concerns expressed regarding the prospect of camp fires at our North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve. Our first responders provided very helpful information and addressed all questions. 

In attendance from our four service branches of Sonoma County Sheriff, Calfire, CHP and Sonoma County Fire District:

Sheriff Deputy Rob Dillion, Deputy Nicholas Miller, and CSO Emily Fuller,

Calfire Division Chief Ben Nicholls, Battalion Chiefs Nate Glaser and Sean Jerry

CHP Captain David Hoff and Officer David Derutte

Sonoma County Fire District Division Chief/Fire Marshall Cyndi Foreman

Karen Hancock, Community Outreach Specialist for SCFD 

Many thanks to all who attended, and our First Responder presenters!

There remains a great volunteer opportunity to serve as the Emergency Preparedness Committee Chair for the BVCA, a great way to learn more about your community and the board. If interested please contact BVCA at info@bennettvalley.org .