The Inverness Disaster Council was created in response to the 1982 floods and mud slides which ruined property and damaged lives. The 1995 Mt. Vision Fire on the Inverness Ridge, which destroyed 45 homes, and the 2005-2006 winter storms are part of the recent history of area emergencies.

The IDC is organized under and takes direction from the Inverness Volunteer Fire and Marin County Fire Departments. The Disaster Council’s volunteers promote disaster preparedness through communication and education so that community members are trained and organized to assist the local First Responders.

Out here, away from the urban parts of Marin County, we’re both self-reliant and more dependent on each other for our safety. While we have a Sheriff’s substation in Point Reyes Station, health care centers, and three close firehouses (Point Reyes Station, Tomales, and Inverness), community members work together for everyone’s welfare. We know that many county services might take a while to get here in a regional disaster.

Communications are vital. During an emergency, neighborhood liaisons are the immediate “eyes and ears” to alert First Responders to changing conditions (e.g., neighbor or house in trouble, downed trees, power lines, flooding, etc.). They convey essential information via a two-way radio network within our neighborhoods to help the professionals prioritize their response. We encourage residents to volunteer for this community role. You’ll receive training and practice. No special expertise is required. The IDC two-way radio system was created and implemented by Richard Dillman of KWMR (90.5 in PRS, 89.9 Bolinas and 92.3 Valley), who continues its development in other communities throughout West Marin.

The Inverness Disaster Council asks you to join us by getting in contact with your Neighborhood Liaison whether you live here full- or part-time. Whether or not you volunteer, let your Liaison know where you live. Your safety may depend on it. All information stays within the IDC.

We also would like you to consider assisting with any of the Specialist teams. Bilingual English-Spanish volunteers also are very welcome.

And we suggest you sign up for a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training, which is taught by firefighting personnel.

Please contact Ann Elliott, Inverness Disaster Council Coordinator,  or Volunteer Fire Dept. Chief Jim Fox at the IPUD office number: 415/669-7151 or jim.fox@invernesspud.org.

Thanks very much for taking the time to “help us help you” and your neighbors.

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Tune to KWMR on your FM dial for local information:
90.5 Point Reyes
89.9 Bolinas
92.3 The Valley
Streaming on kwmr.org

Make sure you have a battery-operated or hand-cranked radio to get all the news during extreme weather. Keep extra batteries on hand.