— from Brendan Cowan for Department of Emergency Management —
While emergency preparedness is a year round responsibility for all islanders, the San Juan County Council recently proclaimed September as “Preparedness Month” in San Juan County.
“This is an opportunity to remind everyone who spends time in the islands that many of the things we love most about being here also require us to be especially well prepared for our inevitable emergencies and natural disasters,” said County Council Member Rick Hughes.
The primary focus for emergency preparedness in the islands should be a two week supply of food and water (including for our pets), followed closely by a 30 day supply of essential medications, a way to cook and stay warm in an extended power outage, and talking through basic needs and response with families and neighbors.
The San Juan County/Town of Friday Harbor Department of Emergency Management has preparedness materials online at www.sanjuandem.net/prepare and are very willing to send staff to talk to neighborhoods, businesses, churches, or any group of islanders looking for some direction and help with preparing.
Emergency Management Director Brendan Cowan highlights that, “Being prepared isn’t complicated, and doesn’t need to be expensive or time consuming. We’ve tried to make it as simple as possible.
The most important thing is to just get started. Doing nothing means that you’re counting on someone else to take care of you.”
A disaster in the islands likely means loss of power and communications, disruption to the food and fuel supply, much more difficult access to medical care, and perhaps a loss of water systems. The islands are in an active earthquake hazard zone, and have a history of severe winter storms in years past. While the likelihood of a serious event in any one year is low, over time the risk is high.
Lopez Island Fire and EMS Chief J Havner emphasized the importance of action, “In a disaster, local emergency responders will be overwhelmed, and mainland help may be a long time coming. It is essential that every islander ensure that they and their families can take care of themselves for at least two weeks, ideally longer.”
Sheriff Ron Krebs echoed the Chief’s concerns, “My team and I will be working tirelessly after the quake to help the islands recover, but we need everyone to do their part now. Get prepared. Take this seriously. We all care about our community, and the best way to make sure you’ll be part of the good work that happens in response is to make sure you’re prepared now.”
So, while emergency preparedness is a full time assignment, use September as an annual check in. Take a look at your supplies, fill in any missing pieces, and reach out to the local Department of Emergency Management if you have questions or needs. Email: dem@sanjuandem.net or 360-370- 7612.
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Older adults and people with disabilities have unique and special needs during a crisis. An “ordinary” island power outage can become an urgent situation for someone with special needs like poor vision or supplemental oxygen. Approximately half of those over age 65 have two or more chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. These conditions increase a person’s vulnerability during periods of time without electricity, food, water, shelter, and adequate rest. Islanders are good at helping each other, and we need to remember those with extra needs in an emergency, no matter how minor it may seem. The Orcas Senior Center Nonprofit has launched a “Senior Preparedness” new initiative with a kick-off event Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 1 PM. For info, call 360.376.2677
OPALCO encourages anyone who depends on electricity for life support to let the Co-op know by calling 376-3500. OPALCO staff will set an alert on these accounts for automated notification by phone when planned outages are scheduled. There are no special notifications for unplanned/emergency outages, however, members can set up notifications in SmartHub (online bill paying) – for phone, email and text messaging – and staff are happy to meet with members one-on-one to go over how to turn on those notifications. We also welcome opportunities to speak with your community or civic group, HOA or even book club!
OPALCO encourages everyone to take time this month to prepare for winter outages. Because the most detailed info, photos and updates are posted on Facebook, Twitter and on OPALCO’s website, we encourage people who don’t have a smart phone to find an “outage buddy” who does, so they can share information and check up on each other. An outage buddy doesn’t have to live in San Juan County – it could be a relative or friend on the mainland or out of state – anyone with access to the Internet. Many islanders have an old-fashioned analog phone that can be plugged in during outages to reach out and, most of the time, mobile phones still work when outages occur. Who will you pick for your outage buddy?
Thanks to Suzanne and Tom for their organization’s work on disaster preparedness! It takes everyone doing a little bit, everyone pitching in to make preparedness a basic thread that runs through island life. Really appreciate the schools, churches, neighborhoods, businesses, families and non-profits that are all stepping up to help the islands prepare!
Great info, Brendan. The link is full of useful info… #2 at the linked site refers to caring for your neighbors and further in under “Prepare” is a section on “OlderAdults” —to Tom’s points. And since we’re also appreciating the OI this month, this is another excellent example of how the OI serves the community by providing us with crtically important lfe & death information. So, thank you, Orcas Issues.