National Preparedness Month: Time to get set for emergencies

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, September 7, 2016

The threat of a major earthquake is ever present in this region, and as summer gives way to fall, winter storms are on the horizon, a reminder of the importance of being prepared not just for a future disaster, but for unexpected emergencies and routine power outages.

This September, as part of National Preparedness Month, islanders who have been putting off their preparations are encouraged to take action now — and throughout the year — so they are ready when the need arises. Rick Wallace, the president of VashonBePrepared, recently spoke to the importance of the issue for all people — including those who believe they do not need to prepare.

“Many people say, ‘I will be fine,’ as if they are 12 and completely indestructible. What I like to tell people is, ‘That might be true for you, but what about Fifi, Fido, your wife or husband, kids and neighbors? If you do not think you need to get ready to save yourself or make yourself comfortable, you are going to be the only one that can take care of them, and you better get ready,'” he said.

A wealth of information is available online regarding important steps to take. Locally, VashonBePrepared’s website includes important information to streamline the process, including checklists for 10 days worth of supplies. On the national level, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is recognizing the month and has spearheaded a campaign urging people to prepare; a variety of information is available through it as well.

For the procrastinators who know they need to get ready but are put off by the task, Wallace counsels them that if they do only one thing to prepare themselves and their families, it is to stock up on water: 1 gallon of water per person for a minimum of three days, but preferably 10 days to two weeks.

“Most of us in America can live a long time without food,” he said, “but you cannot live for long without water.”

After water, he said, what is most necessary varies.

“Everything becomes important depending on the nature of the emergency. You may need to lift a timber off of someone, so you’ll need a crow bar. You may need to wash dust out of your eyes; you might need medication every day or medication for pets,” he said, before summing up the necessities: “Food, water, light — really basic things — protection from the elements and a place to sleep.”

Island opportunities to help enhance personal preparedness efforts will extend into this fall and winter.

On Oct. 1, Vashon Island Fire & Rescue will include a preparedness fair at its open house. Vicky de Monterey Richoux, VashonBePrepared’s vice president, said volunteers will staff tables focusing on different aspects of preparedness, from how to turn off gas to how to develop a family emergency communication plan, including the best ways to be prepared with food, water and medication.

In February, Jan Milligan, who heads the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), will lead a free six-hour class in personal preparedness.

That will be the first time such a course has been held on the island, and Milligan said she decided to do so because many people on the island still need basic education on preparing for the fairly common events, such as extended power outages, as well as large disasters. She has not set the dates yet for the class, but said it will be broken into two three-hour sections with experts covering a range of subjects, including how much food and water to have on hand, how to keep perishables safe to eat, electrical and chemical safety and light fire suppression.

“It will be a great education beyond common sense,” she said.

While some islanders are lagging behind in their preparedness, Wallace said many have completed some of the necessary tasks. The most recent information he has, he said, comes from 2009, when VashonBePrepared conducted a survey with about 23 percent of island households responding. It showed that 93 percent had enough food for three days, although that figure dropped considerably when looking at a longer time frame. Less than 30 percent said they had enough food to feed their households for a week or more. Regarding water, the picture looked worse. Sixty-nine percent of respondents said they had enough water for three days, while less than 17 percent said they had enough for a week or more. More than 30 percent said they had no water stored at all.

Being fully stocked for 10 days is recommended on the island. While Wallace said he expects that Vashon is ahead of most communities with these figures, he noted that even if 90 percent of islanders were completely prepared, many people would struggle without their basic needs met.

“What is left is a lot of people in a world of hurt if we are isolated,” he said.

He added that even if the island had plenty of food and water to distribute to those who needed it, getting it to people would be a large challenge.

“If you are sheltering in place, you know that you will be OK. You are in control of your destiny,” he added. “That is a Vashon value: taking care of ourselves and our neighbors.”