ler; Sorensen
Public Comment
9/10/2025
POWAY NEIGHBORHOOD
EMERGENCY CORPS
Public Comment - Poway City Council
Speaker: Terri Sorensen
Organization: Poway Neighborhood Emergency Corps / Poway Fire Safe Council Good evening, Mayor and Council Members,
My name is Terri Sorensen and I'm here representing the Poway Neighborhood Emergency Corps, which also serves as the Poway Fire Safe Council. We began as a grassroots group after the devastating 2003 and 2007 fires, with a simple but powerful mission: to help Poway residents be more connected and prepared in times of emergency.
Since then, we've become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and we've partnered with local, county, and state agencies to provide resources, training, and even basic emergency supplies to residents. Our goal remains the same: empower our community with knowledge, tools, and connection — because preparedness saves lives.
In the spirit of National Preparedness Month this September, we're launching an exciting new campaign: 60 Neighborhood Preparedness Block Parties in Poway over the next year. These gatherings are designed to help neighbors connect, share vital information, and build resilience - together.
We're proud to be doing this in partnership with Listos California, a program under the California Office of Emergency Services. They have provided our organization with 60 Block Party Kits that include everything needed to host - from invitations, tablecloths, games, and giveaways, to easy-to-understand preparedness materials.
We've already held two successful parties this month, with more scheduled every weekend through October. The best part? These events are simple, fun, and deeply impactful. They usually last one to two hours and spark real conversations about how neighbors can support each other before, during, and after an emergency.
Today, I'm here to ask for your support. If you're a Poway resident — whether you're a council member, city staff, or a community member watching — I invite you to host one of these block parties in your neighborhood.
I'll personally deliver the kit, walk you through it, and help you plan. All you need to do is gather your neighbors and open the conversation. It's a small investment of time, with the potential to make a huge difference.
We aim to foster emergency readiness by empowering residents, neighbors, to connect, collaborate, and prepare-block by block. By working together we can transform individual preparedness into community-wide resilience.
You can contact me at [email protected] or visit our website at powaynec.com to get started.
Thank you for your time - and for all you do to keep our city safe.
Terri Sorensen
Poway Neighborhood Emergency Corps.
"Neighbors Helping Neighbors"
858-688-3061
http://powaynec.com
FireSafe
COUNCIL
Poway