A safety flare from Burlingame, California. Editorial by Willi Paul, PlanetShifter.com

Burlingame is building a valuable community resource called The Burlingame Neighborhood Network, a site that connects neighbors together in a pre-crisis menu. "Inform, Prepare and Connect." A Google-powered interactive map and database allows residents to find each other and form groups and have neighborhood meetings.

But there are other safety issues for us to come to grips with in a hurry: that same old digital divide monster to cage, and a huge emergency training development paradox to tackle, namely how we get trained - and then coordinate in a crisis. The paradox is in the pre / during / post crisis flow of support and medical support when the fire or earthquake hits. Promo fliers on the garage work bench is not live CPR.

There is no email when the power blows-out. And there is no time to sit down and run through the emergency plan now stuck behind the refrigerator or to collect the insurance docs and family jewels.

Safety officials and CERT teamers must be trained to handle a myriad of gut wrenching situations in a emergency. Is there power, water? Access to local roads and hospitals? Whew. We need to get all residents ready, not just those fortunate enough to be wired!

Secondly, another under discussed topic in my experience with Terry Nagel's outreach work is the not-and-under-represented population in Burlingame. This is potentially the Burlingame Neighborhood Network's weak link in the emergency services chain drive.

Finally, while we understand the mandate and allure of the "big one rush" around here, there are (at least) two very unsafe intersections in Burlingame that need community attention and re-engineering now:

A. - Bellevue at Lorton

This is the most dangerous place in Burlingame, festered with often angry and confused car drivers, delivery trucks, restaurants patrons and an occasion bike - all in traffic hell. We need an Berkeley traffic calming island or round-about here to slow and separate cars, and a bike lane system to allow safe passage for two wheelers.

B. - Park at Burlingame Ave

The second most dangerous pedestrian safety mega-mess in the world. While recently zoning at Peet's sidewalk "outdoor café", traffic violations and dangers abounded. Drivers blow through the intersections without stopping; cars without turn signals; automobiles slipping through the cross walks as if the folks in them were mere nuisance. We need a three-way traffic light in this mess!

I want to thank the police for working the four way stop at Burlingame Ave and Lorton last Friday noon. Great day for public safety!

Please contact your City leaders to add your thoughts and concerns:

Neighborhood Network
info@theneighborhoodnetwork.org.

Police Chief Ed Wood
ewood@burlingamepolice.org

Terry Nagel
tnagel@burlingame.org

Jim Nantell City Manager
jnantell@burlingame.org