Volunteer disaster-preparedness group urges Rancho Mirage to expand training and three-day kits

Mitch Brown, board president of the Coachella Valley Disaster Preparedness Network, told the Rancho Mirage City Council on April 2 that his volunteers provided about 5,000 hours of service in 2025 — work the group values at roughly $200,000 — and asked the city to increase partnership on training and readiness.

"Rancho Mirage knows very well that disasters are not if but when," Brown said, arguing the city should expand community training and consider distributing three‑day preparedness kits for seniors and workforce-housing tenants.

Brown described CVDPN's local programs: bilingual CERT classes, outreach at HOAs and the farmers market, joint trainings at the RAP Foundation classroom and recent mass trainings (he said 55 people were trained at Mission Hills Country Club). He said the group's newsletter reaches about 16,000 people and that 18% of that audience are Rancho Mirage residents.

The group highlighted a planned drill on April 12 and a partnership with the high school drama department on an emergency-preparedness play scheduled for April 30. Brown proposed the city let CVDPN “be your training arm” to scale free trainings and suggested a pilot distribution of three‑day kits for populations the city identifies as vulnerable.

Council members praised the volunteer work and thanked CVDPN for helping reduce pressure on emergency services. Brown's presentation noted that resources are limited during major incidents and that local volunteer networks can buy time for first responders.

Next steps referenced in the presentation included continued coordination between CVDPN and the city emergency‑preparedness commission and follow-up conversations about a possible city‑supported kit distribution program.