Get Started
Every neighborhood needs 1-2 leaders!
Could this be you?
Does your neighborhood already have a COPE program?
MEET US
We have over 40 COPE communities here in Northern Sonoma County and have been working together for years.
We have taken our fear
and turned it into action.
SIGN UP to attend our next online Info Session here!
Hear why people have joined COPE
Click the CC icon in the video for Spanish subtitles.
Are you in a COPE Neighborhood?
Learn more about COPE neighborhoods and our current leaders.
If your neighborhood is not here, consider letting us help you establish a COPE program.
COPE Communities in Northern Sonoma County (click view full-size pdf)
There are many reasons to establish a COPE Program
- Grassroots framework that encourages communities to come together and become better prepared
- Supports development of individual response plans and neighborhood preparedness plans
- Endorsed by fire departments, law enforcement, and county government
- Enables residents to be self-reliant when our first responders are busy elsewhere
- Provide info to first responders who may not be from the area
- Easier to be prepared for emergencies when we work together
- Opportunity to meet neighbors and develop a support system for all kinds of disasters
Seven steps to set up and maintain a COPE program
1. MAP Your Community
Break it down into manageable neighborhoods of ten to twenty homes. Here is an example map of a community divided into COPE neighborhoods.
2. BUILD Your Community and Neighborhood Leadership Team
Start with 2 Community Co-Leaders then 1-2 people to serve as Neighborhood Co-Leaders.
3. SURVEY your Residents for information
Learn more about your neighbors and how to contact them in an emergency. We provide sample surveys and spreadsheets to record the data.
4. MEET with your COPE community
Meet with neighbors, COPE leaders and emergency personnel to get to know each other and create a communication plan.
5. ASSESS the needs of your Community
What are you most concerned about in your community? Identify priority projects and develop a plan of action.
6. EDUCATE your COPE leaders and neighbors
Leaders can participate in the monthly COPE Leadership meetings and learn about educational opportunities. Here is a COPE Disaster Preparedness Calendar for 2022 with a list of topics and links to educational materials.
7. MAINTAIN Relationships with Neighbors, Leaders and First Responders.
Every six months conduct a COPE Neighborhood Team meeting and review and update COPE information.
Ready to learn more?
Sign up to attend one of our Info Meetings on Zoom. You will learn more about what is involved in being a COPE leader, and will have the opportunity to ask questions.