Friday Harbor Grange Evening Will Focus on Disaster Preparedness in San Juan County

Tuesday, November 28, 6:30 p.m., San Juan Island Grange

— from Glenn Hendrick —

What are the likeliest potential threats to our region, and how can Islanders prepare for them materially, mentally, and communally?

Join experts in the field Tuesday, November 28, at the San Juan Island Grange for an interactive evening focusing on personal and community preparation for disasters most likely to hit the San Juans.

Brendan Cowan, of the SJC Department of Emergency Management, and Bill and Laura Jo Severson of Red Cross will begin the evening by discussing their work in local and national disasters, and what islanders can do to prepare for disasters at home.

Survival skills instructor Nathan Donnelly will then focus on practical steps to safeguard your land, stock your home, and outfit your vehicle, as well as explore the mindset a prepared person may need to be a community asset in a serious emergency.

Ideas for developing a reliable network, as well as motivating the community to be ready for likely events will be brainstormed with the whole group. Attendees will receive a home evaluation worksheet that can be used by anyone to get started.

The event will take place Tuesday, November 28 at the San Juan Island Grange,152 1st St, Friday Harbor at 6:30pm. Please join us beforehand for a potluck and meet ‘n’ greet at 5:30.

Nathan Donnelly is a permaculture designer and survival skills instructor with a background in wildland firefighting, search and rescue, and homesteading. He has used all of the methods he will be discussing in real life.

Brendan Cowan is Director of the San Juan County Department of Emergency Management, and has been working on disaster preparedness in the islands since 2003. He previously worked in international crisis response. In addition to his role in the islands, Brendan also supports disaster response around the country, working on wildland fires and large emergencies like Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, Sandy, and most recently Harvey, in addition to a host of other large scale events.

Bill and Laura Jo Severson are both involved in our local branch of the Red Cross. Laura Jo was recently in Houston, assisting with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

Disaster Preparedness in San Juan County is part of the Grange Lecture Series, which strives to foster social and political engagement, discussion, and to maintain our historical Hall as a home for celebrations and programs.