Build a two-week kit a few dollars at a time
The 26-week shopping list is a text reminder. Each week Bloc Captain sends you one message with a short list of supplies to pick up, and after 26 weeks you have two weeks of food, water and equipment on hand. Choose the day you want the message and reply STOP whenever you are finished.
Get the weekly textWhat a Bloc Captain does
A Bloc Captain is one household on a block that has agreed to keep track of its neighbors. The role carries no authority and no special training. A bloc is about four to nine homes, roughly the distance you could cover on foot in a minute. In an apartment or condo building, a bloc is one floor.
Know your bloc
Keep a rough headcount, note who may need assistance, and record any equipment neighbors are willing to share.
Keep a contact list
Collect phone numbers, agree on a meeting spot, and record any medical details neighbors choose to share.
Run one drill a year
A ten-minute walkthrough once a year is enough to confirm the plan still works.
How the program works
01
Apply
Tell us how many homes are on your block and why you are volunteering.
02
Orientation
One 45-minute call covering the role, the materials and what to do during an emergency.
03
Get your toolkit
You receive contact tree templates and a printed reference card for your household.
04
Activate during an emergency
During an outage, heat event or smoke event, you check on your block and report to your NET team.
05
Backup communication
Every Bloc Captain gets a meshcore radio, a small battery-powered unit that connects directly to nearby radios. It needs no cell service, Wi-Fi or grid power, so you can reach your NET team and other Bloc Captains when phone service is unavailable.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need training or experience?
No. The program provides a 45-minute orientation and a short written guide. No prior emergency experience is required.
Is this an HOA in disguise?
No. There are no dues and no rules about property or appearance. The program covers emergency preparedness only.
What do Bloc Captains get paid?
The role is unpaid. Captains receive the program materials and a meshcore radio at no cost.
How big is a bloc, exactly?
Between four and nine homes. In an apartment or condo building, a bloc is one floor.
Apply to become a Bloc Captain
The application takes a couple minutes.
We respond within one week to schedule orientation. Applications are currently open in Portland, Oregon, for the Irvington, Sullivans Gulch and Lloyd neighborhoods.