Thank you for another great meeting on May 27. Hopefully you are now better prepared to shake, rattle and roll!
Ann Forest, Volunteer with the Seattle Office of Emergency Management, talked to us about Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Hubs.
James Baker, who along with spouse Aly Teeter coordinates the Ross Park Emergency Hub, recapped the presentation on their great neighborhood blog Fremont Neighbor. Be sure to check it out! They gave us permission to repost it here.
Fremont neighbors talk preparedness and emergency hubs
The Fremont Neighborhood Council hosted a meeting at the Doric Lodge May 27, focused on personal emergency preparedness and the critical role of Seattle’s Community Emergency Hubs.
Ann Forrest, a volunteer educator with the Seattle Office of Emergency Management and a Community Emergency Hub Network leader, discussed practical advice for getting through a major disaster, especially a large-scale earthquake.
Why prepare?
Only about 200 firefighters are on duty across Seattle at any one time. In a major disaster, help will be delayed, not because of lack of care, but because of sheer numbers and logistics. Most people will survive the initial event, but as Forrest said, “It’ll be the worst camping trip of your life.” Preparation makes it less miserable.
Four key areas of personal preparedness
Gas Shutoff: If you have natural gas, know how to find and shut off your meter. After an earthquake, only turn it off if you hear hissing or smell gas. Leave it alone otherwise because shutting it off without cause could leave you unable to cook or heat your home until utility crews arrive.
Water Storage: Water mains are likely to break. You’ll need one gallon per person per day for at least two weeks. Bottled water is easiest to store, doesn’t expire, and can be tucked in closets or behind furniture. Hot water heaters can also serve as a source; just make sure you know how to access it.
Sanitation Plans: Without water or working sewers, toilets won’t function. Forrest introduced the “twin bucket” system: one bucket for urine, one for feces, lined with double trash bags and sprinkled with something dry (like baking soda or dirt) to manage odor and moisture. Tape instructions to your hot water tank or wherever you store supplies, and have gloves, sanitizer, and extra bags on hand.
Tech Readiness: Some apps, like early earthquake warnings, require internet and GPS access to work. While not a silver bullet, they can give a few seconds of notice…just enough to drop, cover, and hold on. Printed guides and low-tech communication methods were also encouraged.
What about Fremont?
After covering household readiness, the discussion shifted to how Fremont could work together. The Community Emergency Hubs program trains volunteers to organize neighbors and share information when normal communications are down. Fremont has one established hub at Ross Park, with a couple P-Patches under consideration, but with the neighborhood’s density more are needed.
Attendees discussed possible future sites, including B.F. Day Upper Field Playground and Gas Works Park. Forming a hub doesn’t require prior training, just interest. Volunteers learn how to coordinate in a crisis and receive access to supplies stored in a “Hub-in-a-Box.”
If you’re interested in helping start a hub in your part of Fremont, attend an upcoming hub drill or contact Forrest. There’s room and a need for more leaders.
Preparedness can feel overwhelming, but as Forrest reminded the group, a few small steps now can make a big difference later. And when disaster hits, it’s your neighbors you’ll rely on first.
Audrey: FNC is sharing a booth with the Rotary Club at the Fremont Fair, come volunteer to meet people and represent FNC for an hour or two. See Audrey to volunteer and schedule times. The Fair is June 21st and 22nd. (And the Solstice Parade is actually on the Solstice (21st)!)
Membership Info: This past year we helped with community efforts like cleaning up graffiti on the 46th St. mural and Troll’s Knoll among other things. Sign up and become a member!
Mark the next meeting on your calendar – June 24th.
Take flyers on the way out.
Add to the sheet for ideas for speakers.
Chat with Joel from CM Strauss office.
Board Business:
Simone attended her first Board Business meeting and may join the board next month to take over the Treasurer role. She has a non-profit background and works for the Nature Conservancy.
Discussion of topics and speakers for the June and July meetings. June will likely be social service organizations PNA Village and Solid Ground, and someone from the Trees for Seattle program. July topic is safer streets, we are trying to get someone from SDOT and Neighborhood Greenways. Captain Davison from the North Precinct is another possibility.
Treasury report and approval of April minutes.
Brandon handed out new flyers and discussed yard signs for members. They are less expensive the more you order. We could just give them to current members and have new members pay an additional $5 when they sign up if they want a yard sign. $269.69 for 60 signs and stakes. Motion to pay for yard signs. Discussion: Perhaps we should ask members tonight to gauge interest? Motion tabled (later voted and approved). Discussion of T-shirts and other merchandise and having it on the website. Not quite ready.
Steve discussed a flyering strategy. A map was circulated for people to choose areas to post flyers. Quarterly posting, three meeting dates per poster.
Audrey, Fremont Fair booth with Rotary, set up a 2-hr shift calendar. We don’t need a constant presence. Table info, flyers, table card with QR code, membership sign-up info? Link to website.
Detailed minutes of past meetings can be found here!
Next month (Tuesday, June 24) we’re continuing to address some of the things you told us you were interested in this year (see the list below for a reminder). We’ll have speakers from local mutual aid and social service organizations, and someone to talk about a free tree program offered by the City. Come and join us!
