By Linda Taaffe

Mountain View

Knowing your neighbors could be the best defense during a terrorist attack, Mountain View emergency officials said last week during a speical preparedness forum at the Mountain View Fire and Police Auditorium.

Residents might be left on their own during the first 72 hours after a large scale disaster while emergency personel try to get the situation under control, said Lori Range of the American Red Cross.

Residents in a tight community could share resources, organize a meeting place and help support one another during a disaster.

Lynn Brown, coordinator for the Office of Emergency Services, said about 50 Mountain View neighborhoods have taken emergency training through the city’s preparedeness program.

“You have a very well prepared city,” Brown told residents.