DOWNEY - The Coca-Cola bottling facility in Downey will again provide a large number of food grade plastic barrels for distribution by the Downey Emergency Preparedness Committee and CERT volunteers on Saturday morning, Sept. 25.The upcoming event would not be possible without the unwavering support of the Downey Coca-Cola facility and staff. Coca-Cola has already provided nearly 950 barrels for this program since the beginning of summer. Each barrel is cleaned and rinsed and then palletized by Coca-Cola staff members before the barrels are delivered to the distribution site by Coca-Cola trucks. The barrels vary in size from 15-55 gallons. The exact quantity of each size of barrel varies for each event. All of the barrels have been distributed to community members by Downey volunteers. A special instructional label is attached to each barrel. The minimal program costs have been off-set by the sale of accessory tools for use with the barrels. The storage of an ample supply of fresh water is one of the most important actions community members can take as they prepare for an emergency. Fresh water is almost always in short supply after disasters. Experts recommend each person store a minimum of 3-7 gallons of water for emergency use. Additional water should be stored for pets. Plans for the Sept. 25 event are still being finalized. However, the location for the upcoming event will be the north side of the parking lot at the Discovery Sports Complex on Columbia Way, near Lakewood Boulevard. This site is also the location of the Columbia Memorial Space Center. The distribution will be a 'drive-thru' only event. There will be no accommodations for walk-up visitors. All attendees will be directed to stay with their vehicles as they work their way through the distribution effort. A map of the site with traffic flow directions will be posted on the City website before the event. The same map will also be provided to The Downey Patriot. Final details for the distribution event will be provided to The Downey Patriot and posted on the City website next week. Mark Sauter is a deputy city manager in charge of emergency preparedness for the city of Downey.

********** Published: September 9, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 21