Preparedness classes planned for Island County

Published: Wednesday, June 16, 2010

By Ahmed Fawzi
Herald Writer

Island County’s Department of Emergency Management is offering three free public education programs this summer.

The programs are designed to provide disaster preparedness education to people on Camano and Whidbey islands.

“Map Your Neighborhood” helps build and strengthen disaster readiness among neighbors, emergency management officials said in a press release.

Neighborhoods that are prepared for emergencies and disaster situations help to save lives, reduce the severity of injuries and trauma and reduce property damage, they said.

In addition, working together as a team and contributing as an individual develops stronger communities and improves the quality of life in the community.

“Map Your Neighborhood” involves nine steps to take immediately following a disaster. These include how to develop an inventory of neighbors’ skills and equipment that can be tapped in an emergency, how to map your neighborhood and identify areas of concern such as gas meters, propane tanks and water shutoffs, and how to provide extra help for people who may need it, such as the elderly.

The emergency management department also provides “Third Thursday Training,” for people interested in learning about emergency planning, response and recovery efforts.

Discussion topics in coming months are: Introduction to Incident Command System, June 17; Introduction to National Incident Management System, July 15; Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, Aug. 19.

Classes start at 9 a.m. and will finish around 4 p.m., with a half hour for lunch. The classes are scheduled for room B130 of the Island County Emergency Operations Center, which is located in the county annex at 1 NE 6th St, Coupeville.

Reservations are required; e-mail dem@co.island.wa.us.

Disaster Preparedness classes are set for the second Wednesday of every month, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Island County Commissioners’ Hearing Room, at Sixth and Main, Coupeville.

Tsunamis are the topic for July 14. Other topics include earthquakes, floods, winter storms, power outages, readiness, planning and communications.

The course is free for anyone who has the desire and enthusiasm to become better prepared.

More info

For more information or reservations, go to http://tinyurl.com/ Island-County or e-mail dem@co.island.wa.us.