Commission on Aging to focus on emergency preparedness

The Clark County Commission on Aging is focusing on emergency preparedness in 2024, particularly for people over the age of 50.

Emergency preparedness is crucial to maintaining quality of life and particularly important for older adults, who are among those most impacted by major health events or hazards, the county stated in a news release.

The Commission is dedicating eight monthly meetings to increase awareness about what emergency preparedness is, and what it can look like on a personal, neighborhood, community and regional level.

The meetings will be held at 4:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month in the sixth-floor training room of the Public Service Center, located at 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver.

The Commission has invited experts from CRESA, Clark County’s regional emergency services agency, to speak on the specific topics below. Members then will discuss the topic and answer questions from the audience.

The Commission held a meeting Jan. 17, and gave an introduction to preparing for an emergency in 2024. Upcoming meeting topics include:

• How to create an emergency kit (March 20);

• Sharing emergency kits (April 17);

• Creating an emergency plan (May 15);

• Storing water and other supplies (June 19); and

• Know your neighborhood (July 17).

Commission on Aging meetings are currently held in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual participation options. Members of the public can attend the in-person meeting held at the Public Service Center, or join by phone or computer by following instructions provided online at clark.wa.gov/community-planning/commission-aging-meetings.

Commission meetings also are carried on CVTV Channel 23/323 and online at cvtv.org. To see replay times, visit cvtv.org.

The Commission on Aging, supported by the Clark County Council, is a nine-member volunteer group that implements the Aging Readiness Plan and provides leadership addressing needs of aging community members.