RANGELY | Organized in March by interested Rangely residents, the White River Area Preparedness, Inc. (WRAP) has received its IRS 501 (c) (3) non-profit approval.
With this official status WRAP members voted permanent directors (Don Davidson, Mark Stamos, Jane Pennell, Heather Fitzpatrick, and Cody Kinney), have started planning trainings, and have hosted several presentations.
To date, Alden Vanden Brink, of the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District (RBWCD), gave a PowerPoint presentation explaining efforts to conserve and develop land and water resources for the best use of water within RBWCD boundaries.
Don Davidson presented the “Grid Down: Power Up” documentary which explains the risk and consequences of America’s power grid shutting down via physical attack, electromagnetic pulse attack (EMP), cyber-attack or geomagnetic disturbance.
Davidson also showed a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) video explaining the emergency kit supplies checklist and encouraged attendees to assemble a home emergency kit as a basic step taken to prepare for an emergency.
Rick Black, Rangely resident, introduced the process for selecting and installing a residential alternative source home generator for powering a few rooms to an entire house.
Brandon Voegtle, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Fire Management Specialist, explained how attendees could create a fire adapted home and how WRAP could coordinate a fire evaluation assessment of Rangely. Presenting protective measures in three zones—Immediate (0-5 feet), Intermediate (5-30 feet), and Extended (30-100 feet),
Voegtle explained how to decrease the fire risk in residential areas thus decrease the risk of fires spreading to wildfire status.
Moving forward, WRAP continues to plan, prepare, and protect area residents as stated in their mission: “…develop individual, family, and community preparedness; provide assistance and relief to Rangely area residents in the event of disaster or infrastructure collapse; educate, protect, strengthen, and provide planning and resources for critical needs such as power, water, food, medical care, and wastewater to support the community.”
The next meeting will be held Thursday, June 9, at 7 p.m., with a basic firearm safety presentation being given.
For more information about WRAP including membership, scheduled events and available resources, visit the group’s website, W.R.A.P., Inc, at wraprangely.com or contact initial organizer and Rangely resident, Don Davidson at 970-417-7773
HOPEWEST PRESS RELEASE | Special to the Herald Times
