When a disaster strikes-earthquake, fire or flood-Jerry Goldman will be on the airwaves organizing communication among first responders. The 26-year Thousand Oaks resident will be using his knowledge as an amateur radio operator along with his other disaster-preparation expertise.

Currently Goldman volunteers more than 100 hours a month to help the city, fire and police departments be ready to communicate if something such as an earthquake prevents land lines, cellphones and other forms of communication from working.

The semi-retired insurance broker and his wife of 31 years, Harriet, have three adult children-Phillip, Erik and Brooke. While raising his family, Goldman's been successful in business and has developed a desire to help the community work together to maintain a good quality of life with or without an emergency situation, he said.

"Every candidate brings at least one specialty to the table," Goldman said.

He's concerned about economic stability, reducing traffic, slow growth and keeping the ridgelines free of development, he said. And he doesn't want to see overcrowding in the schools.

Jerry Goldman He'd like to see more seminars on disaster preparation awareness, he said, so the citizens of the community can become more prepared and more aware.

"Being aware is one thing. Knowing how to prepare is another," Goldman said.

Goldman has been a volunteer for amateur radio emergency services, he said.

He's also the vice chairperson of the Thousand Oaks Disaster Assistance Response Team, which is funded by the city and administered by the police department. The team is made up of about 40 citizens concerned about their community's survival during a disaster. They train, work together and prepare to respond if called to action by the police department. They also provide CPR and first aid at community events such as street fairs, Goldman said.

The candidate would like to see everyone in the city prepared to be safe and self-sufficient for as long as two weeks, he said, because that's how long it might be before outside aid could reach them.

"The difference between an earthquake and a hurricane is there are warnings for hurricanes that we don't have with earthquakes," said Goldman.

Food, water and medical supplies for individuals and pets should be stored, he said.

Meanwhile, while the sun is shining and the earth is still, Goldman would like to keep the city safe and running as a City Council member known for getting along well with other people and building bridges, he said.

Goldman's a big supporter of the Volunteers in Policing and said they've done a terrific job patrolling neighborhoods, keeping traffic flowing and doing paperwork that allows police more time to do their jobs. He'd like to see more such volunteers, he said.

"I'd like to keep building to a limit with no building on ridgelines or open space," Goldman said.

He'd also like to give back to his community. That includes his salary as a City Council member. The money will never touch his hands, he said.

"I'll donate my salary to local charities within the boundaries of Thousand Oaks. I've been very successful in business and I don't need money."

Goldman is offering himself as a public servant because he believes he has what the city needs at this time, he said.

"I care about this community."