Editor’s Note: Last Monday’s heavy snowfall was a surprise to many of us. In this guest column, Snoqualmie Fire Chief Mark Correira discusses how to prepare for emergencies, both major and minor.
By Mark Correira
Snoqualmie City Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director
Were you affected by the Feb. 27 snowfall? This event surprised the region during the evening commute and caused difficulties throughout the area.
These difficulties are small examples of what would occur if a large-scale disaster — like an earthquake — were to hit the region.
Were you prepared?
In a large-scale disaster, we can expect long-term street closures, lack of power and phones, and family separation. Being prepared is a community responsibility.
Here is how you can do your part:
Emergency Preparedness Kits — Do you have emergency supplies in your home and vehicles? Your kit should include enough food, water, medication and other supplies (flashlight, pet food, AM radio, diapers, formula, etc.) for at least three days.
You can purchase a kit or make your own using the list found at https://www.ready.gov/kit.
Family Communication Plan — Does your family have a pre-arranged communication plan for emergencies? This plan designates family meeting locations and an out-of-area contact person, and identifies important phone numbers such as daycare, physicians, and neighbors. These plans should be in writing and kept in your wallet or saved on a smart phone.
Go to https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan to download a template.
Stay Informed — Do you know how to get information on road closures, evacuation routes, and available emergency resources? Social media is the quickest way to stay informed. The Snoqualmie city, police, and fire departments all share emergency information through their Twitter accounts, as do Eastside Fire and Rescue, Washington State Patrol, and WSDOT. You can also check the Snoqualmie website and Facebook page for updates.
For large-scale disasters, the city of Snoqualmie will share information through the emergency AM radio channel (AM 1650) and by sending recorded messages through the phone system to those who have signed up for it. To sign up for this service, find the Department of Emergency Management page of the Snoqualmie website and select “Emergency Notifications.”
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) — Would you like to learn more about how to respond to a disaster? Twice a year, the city offers CERT training, a multi-week program that teaches basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, search and rescue, teamwork, and medical assistance. We rely on CERT members to provide a first level of response until our emergency responders can arrive.
Finally, being prepared for a disaster involves the whole community. Do your part to prepare now, and help both yourself and the city respond to the next emergency, large or small. For more information, visit www.ci.snoquamie.wa.us/emergency_managment.
