Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Welcome to Ballard Prepares

Magnolia/Interbay, West Seattle, Wallingford, and other Seattle neighborhoods already have disaster response plans in place. As a rapidly-growing urban village, Ballard has a critical need to have a plan of its own.

"Ballard Prepares" is the initial phase of development of a disaster preparedness plan that will be tailored to meet the unique needs of our neighborhood. Our current goals are to:
  • identify locations that will serve as communications hubs throughout Ballard
  • recruit volunteers to staff those hubs
  • create infrastructure for communications
  • identify resources for first aid and other training
  • create an inventory of available assets, resources, and skills in our neighborhood
  • be a resource for disaster preparedness information
As we move forward in creating Ballard's disaster preparedness plan, we'll be posting more information. If you'd like to get involved or would like additional information, you may contact us at ballardprepares@gmail.com.

February 28 Community Meeting: High Point


Seattle Office of Emergency Management would like to invite you to attend the rescheduled community meeting to discuss the Seattle Disaster Readiness and Response Plan. The ice and snowstorm forced us to cancel the January 17th meeting, and we are pleased to announce the new date:

                                        Tuesday, February 28, 2012
                                        High Point Community Center
                                        6920 34th Ave. SW
                                        6:30 to 8:30 pm

We will be looking at our planning strategies and asking community members to collaborate with us in updating the plan. If you would like to review the plan, please visit our website at http://www.seattle.gov/emergency/publications/#p (see Disaster Readiness and Response Plan Volumes I and II).

If you would like to attend, please RSVP at Seattle-DisasterPlan@seattle.gov. If you know someone who would like to attend but needs translation services, please invite them and let us know when you RSVP. 
February 18 Hub Roles Training 
Would you like to learn how to help in the event of a disaster? 
                             Saturday, February 18, 2012
                             Seattle Emergency Operations Center
                             105 5th Ave. S.
                              9 am to noon
Local groups have organized Emergency Communications Hubs to help their neighbors recover should a disaster strike Seattle.  
If you think you can help calm people, take down and organize information to match resources with needs, or can operate a radio to pass information to or from outside the neighborhood, we can train you!
For more information about this event, contact Cindi Barker 206-933-6968. We recommend bus or carpool as parking is not free. For more information about community Hub sites:
http://www.seattle.gov/emergency/prepare/neighborhood/

 
February Monthly Connection: THANK YOU!
 
The Seattle Office of Emergency Management would like to thank all of the neighborhoods that did their part during the snow and ice storm that hit Seattle January 17th. From shoveling sidewalks to clearing storm drains, Seattleites showed that they come together to support each other in times like this. This is also a great time to ask yourself . . . Was I as prepared as I thought I was?
 
Some questions you might want to ask: Did I have sufficient supplies? Were there people in the neighborhood that needed some additional help? Did I have sufficient supplies for a power outage? Did my crank radio work? Could I find my flashlights? Did I have back up batteries and other essential items?

If you would like to share a story about how your preparedness efforts helped you during the storm, or how you wish you had done something to different prepare yourself we would love to hear from you. Stories have a powerful effect on people and Seattle OEM is embarking on a project to collect stories to share with others to highlight the importance of preparedness. Please send stories to: snap@seattle.gov.

The winter storm was not as bad as it could have been and certainly wasn’t even close to what we will experience in a major disaster. If you found that your level of preparedness was not as good as you had hoped it would be seize the moment and make some improvements. As always, the staff at Seattle Office of Emergency Management is here to help if you have questions or concerns.
 
Skills Training Classes for January – June 2012

The Seattle Office of Emergency Management is offering a series of skills-based classes again this year. These classes are intended to enhance your ability to personally respond during disasters. Provide training for organized community groups, neighbors, friends and co-workers and teach you life-saving skills that can be used both in a disaster and in your everyday life.
 
All classes are held on Saturdays at Warren G. Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Building 406 (the Brig). Classes are free, but space is limited.
Fire Extinguisher Use & Utility Control
Saturday, March 3, 2012
9:00 – 11:00 AM or 12:00 – 2:00 PM

Light Search and Rescue
March 17, 2012
8:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Disaster First Aid
March 31, 2012
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Light Search and Rescue
May, 12, 2012
8:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Disaster First Aid
June 30, 2012
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

To register, email: snap@seattle.gov. Please include your name, email address, phone, the courses you are interested in and dates you are interested in attending.
SNAP Classes – February
Queen Anne Branch Library
400 W. Garfield St., 98119

Tuesday, February 7, 2012
6:30 – 7:45 PM
Ballard Branch Library – New Brown Bag Mid-week Class! Bring your lunch and enjoy.
5814 22nd Ave NW, 98107
Friday, February 10, 2012
Noon – 1:30 PM
New Holly Branch Library – New Location for 2012!
7058 32nd Ave S, 98118
Saturday, February 25, 2012
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Home Retrofit Class – FebruaryIf your home was built before 1980, this class is for you! “Do-it-yourself” focus teaches you the process, plans and tools required to seismically secure your home to its foundation, and/or become a knowledgeable consumer when hiring someone. Pre-register by email at:snap@seattle.gov, or call 206-233-5076. Class is free.

Greenwood Branch Library
8016 Greenwood Ave. N., 98103
Sunday, February 26, 2012
2:00 – 4:00 PM

For a complete listing of 2012 SNAP and Home Retrofit Classes, check out our Training & Events Page.
Tip of the MonthKeep important phone numbers, family photos and other vital instructions all in one place. Print out our NEWLY UPDATED Disaster Resource Book, cut the pages to size and place in a 4 x 6 photo album of your choosing. Tuck into your backpack, home or car kit for emergency info at your fingertips! Other languages coming soon.

If you have a tip or item to share, please send it our way and you may see it in an upcoming issue: e-mail: snap@seattle.gov.

January 19 SNAP Training at Loyal Heights


A Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare (SNAP) training will be held at Loyal Heights Community Center in Ballard (2101 NW 77th) on January 19th from 6:30-8:00 PM. Debbie Goetz from the Office of Emergency Management will discuss both individual and neighborhood preparedness, as well as the concept of a neighborhood hub site at Loyal Heights.

From the Seattle Office of Emergency Management
Disaster Survivors: Tell Us Your Story
Remember living through the power outages, winter storms, excessive heat and flooding events in our area over the past few years? Perhaps you or a family member survived Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami in Japan, or catastrophe in another part of the world. If so, the lessons you learned may help teach and inspire others.

Survivors: Tell your story!
The City of Seattle and King County Offices of Emergency Management are seeking survivors from natural disasters or catastrophes. Tell us your story, including what you did to prepare as well as what you wish you would have done. We may use your experience to encourage others as part of a regional campaign to help Puget Sound residents survive and make it through when catastrophe strikes.

What is involved:
· On-camera interview
· Video and photography shoot
· Travel to shoot location (in Puget Sound region)
· Time commitment of 2 hours
· Willing to share your photo and story publicly

How to respond:
· Send us your story. Tell us what happened and what you did or didn’t do to prepare. If you did prepare, let us know if it involved making a plan, building a supply kit or coordinating with neighbors.
· Provide your name, contact information (email/phone) and photo (if possible).
· Email the above information by Wednesday, January 4, 2012 to: JoAnn Jordan, Seattle Office of Emergency Management at JoAnn.Jordan@seattle.gov.

For questions, please call: 206-233-5076.

Seattle Office of Emergency Management

Public Education Team



TAKE WINTER BY STORM
November 2011
http://www.takewinterbystorm.org
Take these three steps to get ready: 
  • Create an emergency preparedness kit with at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food and water for your home office & car. 
  • Make a plan and practice it with your family and those who depend on you.
  • Stay informed and know the weather that is approaching so you are prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws our way.
SEATTLE WINTER PREPAREDNESS ONLINE RESOURCES
General Preparedness Sites
 http://www.takewinterbystorm.org 

Seattle Office of Emergency Management
http://www.seattle.gov/emergency

Seattle Transportation--snow routes, winter response plans http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/winterweather.htm 

Seattle City Light--energy conservation, safe usage http://www.cityofseattle.net/light/neighborhoods/nh4_pout.htm 

Seattle Public Utilities--flood prevention, storm drains
http://www.seattle.gov/util/   


Real-time Alerts
Seattle Traffic Cameras/Commuter Info
State Highways/Traffic Cameras
Metro Transit Alerts
Seattle Power Outages
Seattle Schools
National Weather Service Warnings

The Monthly Connection
October 2011
http://www.seattle.gov/emergency/newsletter/semgifhttp://www.seattle.gov/emergency/newsletter/snap.gif

Tell Your Friends and Neighbors about the Monthly Connection!


Connect with the people around you. Share this with your friends and neighbors and invite them to subscribe at the link below:

October Tip of the Month: Take Winter by Storm! – sign up for emergency alerts, school closures, real-time forecasts, preparedness checklists and more. The City of Seattle is just one partner in this annual, regional campaign.

Just out today … see what Bloomberg reported about La Nina and what climate experts say could happen here this winter: La Nina, a cooling of the Pacific Ocean that can affect weather around the world, is expected to strengthen gradually into 2012, according to the U.S. Climate Prediction Center …”


Calendar Announcements: (training continues now through December, 2011)
Urban Self-Reliance Classes – new this year, in partnership with Seattle Public Libraries. For a detailed description or more information, visit www.spl.org or call 206-386-4636.








DIY Seismic Home Retrofitting Workshops – class is free, registration required.







Saturday, Oct 8, 2-4 p.m., Queen Anne Branch Library, 400 W. Garfield St, 98119
Saturday, Oct 15, 2-4 p.m., Southwest Branch Library, 9010 35th Ave SW, 98126
ADDITIONAL Home Retrofit Class: note earlier time
Saturday, December, 3, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., West Seattle Branch Library, 2306 42nd Ave. SW, 98116

Disaster Supply Kit Workshops – no registration. Open to all.Thursday, Oct 27, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Lake City Branch Library, 12501 28th Ave NE, 98125
Saturday, Oct 29, 1-2 p.m., Ballard Branch Library, 5614 22nd Ave NW, 98107
Saturday, Oct 29, 4-5 p.m., Broadview Branch Library, 12755 Greenwood Ave N, 98133
Fall SNAP Classes – free and open to all. Bring a friend.







Thursday, Oct 13, 6:30-7:45 p.m.,
Capitol Hill Library, 425 Harvard Ave E, Seattle 98102
Tuesday, Oct 18, 6:30-7:45 p.m., Northgate Library, 10548 5th Ave N, Seattle 98125
Thursday, Nov 3, 6:30-7:45 p.m., Southwest Library, 9010 35th Ave SW, Seattle 98126


Phinney Center Home Retrofit Class - $25 fee*, register at 206-783-2244
Wednesday, October 12, 7-9 p.m.,

Phinney Neighborhood Assn, 6532 Phinney Ave N, 98103, *Required. Fee supports the PNA Tool Library.


Please send questions or comments to mailto:eocsnap-request@talk2.seattle.gov

 
Learn How to Prepare
http://www.3Days3Ways.org 
http://www.seattleredcross.org
http://www.seattle.gov/emergency/publications/videos.htm
http://www.westseattle.bepreparedseattle.info/site/page25.aspx

Official Information Sources
Emergency Broadcast Radio Station
KIRO (710 AM) is the federally designated emergency radio station that will broadcast information for this area during an actual emergency. Other local stations, such as KOMO (1000 AM) and KPLU (88.5 FM), and others may do so as well.









Seattle Office of Emergency Management:

Press releases and news from the city/mayor's office:

Regional Public Information Network (RPIN):
Sign up to receive alerts regarding weather, road conditions and emergencies.
http://www.rpin.org/rpinweb/default.aspx
http://www.rpin.org/rpinweb/allhazards.aspx

Department of Homeland Security:
http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm















 

Center for Disease Control (CDC): 
CDC’s emergency preparedness and response site
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/








Pandemic flu/swine flu information:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/health/swineflu
http://www.pandemicflu.gov









Health and Human Services earthquake information:
http://www.hhs.gov/disasters/emergency/naturaldisasters/earthquake/index.html  








Severe Weather Pages:







 

http://www.govlink.org/storm/