With winter coming and the threat of natural disaster ever-present in this region, VashonBePrepared will offer a free seminar on household preparedness this weekend.

Jan Milligan, who heads the Vashon Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), has organized the seminar, which she said will provide resources, advice and island information. Topics will include tips on household preparations, electrical and gas safety, and island communications when phones and internet are compromised.

“We are doing this because severe weather and earthquake and the potential for a volcanic eruption are very real threats,” Milligan said. “It’s important that households are individually prepared because rescue organizations cannot possibly take care of everyone.”

In severe weather or following an earthquake, a variety of challenges may exist for islanders, ranging from damaged homes and extended power outages to family members being separated and a suspension of ferry service.

To address that broad range of circumstances, there will be a variety of presenters. Representatives from Puget Sound Energy will address natural gas and electrical safety; Rick Wallace, manager of the Vashon Emergency Operations Center team, will speak on how the island will operate in a disaster and what the volunteer groups and local fire department will do; VashonBePrepared President Vicky de Monterey Richoux will talk about neighborhood organizing; Milligan will focus on food, water, sanitation and sheltering in place; Michael Meyer, manager of Auxiliary Communications Service and member of the Ham Radio Club, will talk about emergency communications when the phones don’t work, and Vashon Island Fire & Rescue Assistant Chief Bob Larsen will discuss household fire safety and using fire extinguishers.

This seminar — and individual preparations — are intended to help island individuals be reasonably comfortable, safe and self sufficient enough to withstand potentially long-term isolation, Milligan said.

For people who want to learn more in depth about emergency response on Vashon, a 44-hour CERT course will be offered in late winter.

This weekend’s workshop will meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Penny Farcy Training Center on Bank Road. Registration is requested via email to cert@ vashonbeprepared.org. People are also welcome to call Milligan for more information about the seminar or CERT course at 206-949-1184. Participants should bring water and a snack on Saturday.