NEWS, INFORMATION, PROJECTS, LINKS

ISLAND COUNTY COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS EXPO 28 July from 10:00AM to 3:00 PM!

This year's Community Preparedness Expo was a huge success. Thank you to all those who attended and especially the voluteers who made it possible. Some of our sponsors include:

• Prairie Center Red Apple, Coupeville
• Safeway, Oak Harbor
• Haggen, Oak Harbor
• Home Depot, Oak Harbor
• WA State EMD
• Ready America
• Dave and Heather Parker - Thrive Foods
  

From the feedback we received community members gained valuable information to help them better prepare for emergencies and disasters. We have already begun planning for next year's event and hope to make even bigger and better. Save the date: Saturday 14 September, 2019. Congratulations to everyone who won "valuable" preparedness theme door prizes. Keep your eyes open for future presentations and training opportunities!

Presentations and Handouts from the 2018 Community Preparedness Expo (click on title)

• Keynote Speaker: WA State EMD - Earthquakes and Tsunamis
  
• Earthquake Checklist
  
• Go Bag Checklist
  
• Water Storage, Filters, and Purifiers
  
• Island County Emergency Alert Sign-up
  
• Two Weeks Ready
  
• Map Your Neighborhood 
  

Did You Feel That?

View maps and data for recent earthquake activity in the Pacific Northwest. The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, or PNSN, collects and studies ground motions from about 400 seismometers in the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington to monitor volcanic and tectonic activity, gives advice and information, and works to mitigate earthquake hazard. Click here to access the website.

Remember to check your Home Emergency Kit to make sure your equipment works and supplies are adequate. Some useful resources include:

• Emergency Preparedness Guide
• Auto Emergency Kit
• WSDOT Winter Driving Supply Checklist
• Go-Bag
• Winter Weather Tips 
• Weather Alerts
• Island County DEM Preparedness Mobile App
• CDC Frostbite and Hypothermia

IT'S HERE!

Island County Preparedness Phone App:

            Island County DEM now has a mobile phone app that will provide valuable tools for Island County Citizens to prepare for emergencies and disasters. To download the app go to:

http://readydl.com/island-county

Some of the features include:

• Share your status with your selected contacts with the push of a button.
• Receive critical emergency alerts via push notification.
• Locate Island County's emergency shelters.
• Display up-to-date evacuation route maps.
• Get the latest news and weather for the Island County area.
• Report Damage or Hazards
• Create a personalized Emergency Preparedness Plan by answering five basic questions.

Once Your Plan is generated, it is stored on your smartphone and can easily be shared with family members and friends. Your Plan comprises:

• An Emergency Supply Kit Checklist tailored to your needs.
• A Customized Emergency Food Supply Shopping List.
• An Emergency Communications Plan to notify your loved ones of your status
• Critical information to prepare your home for impending disaster.

Learn about the various emergency situations that Island County, Washington residents are most likely to face in five integrated eGuides:

• Emergency Preparedness for People with Functional Needs
• Emergency Preparedness for Pet Owners
• Emergency Preparedness for Children
• Earthquakes
• Winter Storms

ON GOING PROGRAMS:

The Island County Department of Emergency Management (DEM), in the interest of providing disaster preparedness education to its residents, is currently conducting the following Public Education programs:

“Map Your Neighborhood” – This program is designed to build and strengthen disaster readiness among neighbors.  Neighborhoods that are prepared for emergencies and disaster situations help to save lives, reduce the severity of injuries and trauma, and reduce property damage.  In addition, working together as a team and contributing as an individual develops stronger communities and improves the quality of life in the community.  You will learn the 9 steps to take immediately following a disaster, how to develop a neighborhood skills and equipment inventory, how to map your neighborhood and identify areas of concern such as gas meters, propane tanks, and water shutoffs, and how to verify which neighbors may need extra help.

- Keep up-to-date​ with our local training opportunities -

To find out more and/or to get involved please call 360-679-7370 or email dem@co.island.wa.us with any questions, comments, or suggestions.  We will be glad to come out and give you a presentation to your group and/or to conduct a train the facilitator for your neighborhood.  The only charge for this training is your desire and enthusiasm to become better prepared.

FEEDBACK!

Please explore these web pages and let us know by e-mail what other information you'd like to see here.