Our location, isolated as we are in the middle of Puget Sound, has long been a beacon for folks wanting to insulate themselves and their families from the stresses of our region’s cities — and a 2021 U.S. Census Bureau report showed that Seattle is the most stressed major city in the U.S.

Perhaps. Our isolation does serve as a buffer against nightmare traffic and other urban issues. But life on Vashon comes with its own concerns like ferry disruptions, power outages, long distances (for most) to reach shops and services, as well as the forces of mother nature.

It’s an irony of life on a rural island. It gives us such joy, yet we must be prepared to endure destructive storms and face the possibilities of wildfires, mudslides, extreme high tides and earthquakes, all the while knowing that county assistance could take some time in arriving.

But fear not. It’s reassuring to know that here on Vashon, we are blessed to have a coalition of volunteer organizations focused on disaster readiness.

VashonBePrepared, along with Voice of Vashon’s Emergency Alert Service and the Vashon Emergency Operations Center, make up an all-volunteer-run coalition that provides us with essential public safety information and community organization in response to any situation.

They work with a much larger group of volunteer teams like the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), whose members are trained in search and rescue as well as first-aid and medical triage, or Vashon’s Medical Reserve Corps, which is made up of volunteer doctors, nurses and other health professionals.

There is even a Vashon Marine Emergency Response Team (MERT), created to come to the aid of those living in any of the 25 waterfront communities served by only one road that could be blocked in the event of a slide or a large earthquake.

More than 350 of your neighbors have volunteered at one time or another, for one of the nine volunteer organizations established to coordinate in concert in the event of a major disaster. Together they have helped islanders prepare for and survive situations that might have otherwise been tragic.

We certainly owe these organizations and volunteers a lot of love for continuing to guide us through the pandemic.

You could be one of these volunteers!

Right now, Voice of Vashon is in need of people like yourself to be part of the Emergency Alert Service, our island’s primary public information system for any emerging or ongoing situation.

As a volunteer participating in a major emergency, you and other team members would be looped in on the situation and engaged in posting bulletins and taking to the airwaves, informing islanders including family, friends and neighbors on driving conditions, availability of food, water, temporary shelter, medical attention and what they need to do to be safe.

Of course, such major events don’t happen often. Although something like the pandemic can last for quite a while. So, in the meantime, you’ll gain experience handling minor emergencies, such as weather updates, ferry delays, road closures, power outages, et cetera, and putting the word out on 1650 AM, the VoV website, Facebook and their opt-in email list.

Vashon has a long and noble history of volunteerism, whether it has been neighbors helping neighbors or averting a catastrophe. Bruce Haulman’s “Chronology of Vashon Disasters” tells the story of how in 1893, nearly 100 volunteers came together to fight a raging fire for two days and nights, “against apparently hopeless odds, with shovels and hoes and rakes” in order to save Vashon Center.

It wasn’t until the wind shifted that they were able to gain control. Since then, our community bonds have continued to grow. So, it’s no wonder that Vashon’s reputation as a desirable place to live has grown also.

If you are moved by a desire to help others, to keep them informed during local emergencies and emerging situations, have a smart phone and regular access to the internet, and can work independently as part of a “virtual team,” please consider becoming a Voice of Vashon Emergency Alert Service volunteer. It’s mostly a part-time gig, and you’ll find plenty of support and camaraderie.

To learn more, contact Luke McQuillin at luke.mcquillin@gmail.com.

— Art Chippendale has lived on Vashon for more than 20 years with his wife, Tania Kinnear. He is active in community organizations.