Volunteer Spotlight: Andy Barker + Julia Pomeroy

Andy and Julia have been leaders for their Prepare Your Neighborhood Clusters, Southside and Highlanders, for several years. Cluster leaders share many goals, but also have special considerations based on their location, in or out of the tsunami evacuation zone.

Andy Barker, Southside Cluster Leader

Andy is the lead for the Southside Cluster in the southwest area of Manzanita. Andy has led several successful fundraising efforts to obtain essential supplies for their Neighborhood Gathering Site emergency cache. As a cluster inside the tsunami inundation zone, they share similar needs with the Highlanders, but also need to ensure their neighbors have personal items stowed including clothing, food and water for themselves and their pets. Andy and his team also focus strongly on teaching the importance of individual preparedness: having a GoBag and practicing walking with it to their Assembly Area.

What attracted you to EVCNB volunteer work?

When my husband and I were moving to Manzanita for our retirement, we realized we needed to get serious about preparing our household for coastal emergencies. It turned out that many of our neighbors also wanted to learn about GoBags, evacuation scenarios, and how to help each other in the event of a disaster. We enjoyed getting to know our neighbors better as we organized ourselves into the “Southside Cluster” neighborhood group, under the umbrella of EVCNB support.

How does this work bring you satisfaction?

It has been rewarding to work with neighbors to support each other in both our individual household disaster readiness and neighborhood preparedness. Most homes in our neighborhood now have GoBags, and we have each others’ emergency contact numbers so we can reach out if anything goes wrong. Together we have developed a cache of useful supplies that we can all access if we find ourselves stranded due to an earthquake or tsunami. We also have fun and are not solely focused on emergency awareness. I always look forward to our Summer Social gathering as a chance to get caught up and meet new people.

What else do you like to do with your free time?

Retirement has been fun! I am a long-time volunteer at the Hoffman Center for the Arts, where I play a leading role in producing literary and art publications. I’m primarily involved in the Hoffman Writing Programs, but I also volunteer a day or two each month as “Gallery Host.” My husband Fred and I take joy in walking our dog on the beach every morning. Each spring and summer, I help Portland Audubon count endangered Snowy Plovers and their nests in the protected beach habitat area at the south end of Nehalem Bay State Park. I also enjoy yoga, running, golf, reading good books, making great food, and sipping fine wine.

Julia Pomeroy, Highlander Cluster Leader

Julia is the lead for the Highlanders Cluster. As the name suggests, the Highlanders are on high ground in the northeast corner of Manzanita. Julia has also led several successful fundraising efforts, allowing the Highlanders to obtain crucial supplies for their Neighborhood Gathering Site emergency cache. As a cluster outside the tsunami inundation zone, they are preparing their neighborhood “hub” to be a place to gather for light 1st aid, mutual comfort, and communication. Julia and her team also focus on education so that the households within their neighborhood can be prepared to “shelter in place” after a major disaster.

What attracted you to EVCNB volunteer work?

I have long been interested in emergency preparedness because of my sister. She started the CERT Program at the City of Portland and later became head of the national program at FEMA. I guess her passion and involvement rubbed off on me. When we purchased a home in Manzanita and I learned about EVCNB from my neighbors, volunteering was a natural step. It's fundamentally a grassroots program that taps into my belief that individuals working together can change the world (and even help save lives in a natural disaster).

How does this work bring you satisfaction?

After a forty year career working with elected officials at the local and federal level, it's really nice to be involved with an effort that uses my skills, taps into my desire to learn more about the Nehalem Bay area and connects me to a variety of people who really care about their community. It's important work driven by passionate, competent volunteers who inspire me to stay involved.

What else do you like to do with your free time?

Connecting with family, traveling, mucking about in my garden, cooking and other volunteer work keeps me out of trouble.