by Kirby Lindsay, posted 12 October 2011
Remember the last snow storm? Ice storm? Neighborhood house fire? “What have we done since the last snow storm,” asked Mark Howard, of the Seattle Police Department Office of Emergency Management, “did we discover it is important to talk to our neighbors?” And did we do it?
On Wednesday, October 19th, at Noon, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce general meeting, at History House, will work on talking to the neighbors community-wide. Being a Chamber meeting, the speakers will focus on the needs of, and resources available to, small businesses for emergency preparation, yet everyone is welcome to attend, gather advice, and feast on the lunch catered by Kylie’s Chicago Pizza.
For Personal Reasons
History House Operations Manager John Nordstrand organized this meeting as another piece of his on-going volunteer efforts. “I’m in the midst of canvassing the community,” Nordstrand reported, “I’m not trying to sell anyone on anything.” Rather, he wants to learn about resources available in Fremont, the people willing to get involved and any community networks that already exist.
Nordstrand serves as a Fremont representative to the Wallingford Community Preparedness Project. “I joined as a wing to the Wallingford group,” he explained, “until just now, when I feel I have enough knowledge under my belt,” to go out and work with Fremont directly, “to find out if there is interest.”
In his youth, he worked with the Ski Patrol, and he’s volunteered with the Red Cross, but Nordstrand admitted his interest in emergency preparedness comes from a purely personal motive. “I got involved in this for one reason,” he admitted, “to be able to take care of [his wife] Nancy in an emergency.”
Even a few years later, he vividly remembers a call he took while answering phones for the Red Cross during a severe Seattle storm. A desperate father called to get help for his family as they huddled in their freezing home, with dwindling food supplies. Nordstrand recalls the irony – a shelter with heat, supplies and welcoming neighbors operated only two blocks away from the family.
Gather Together
Resources exist, and Nordstrand hopes to make them more accessible – and make everyone aware of them. His preparation efforts ask the question, “Can a neighborhood be self-sustaining during an emergency, without City services?”
Reality, he stressed, is that the City cannot assist everyone in a disaster, and self-sufficiency, among a family, neighbors, and a community, can make survival possible, and even easy.
“The premise to all of this,” Nordstrand said of his efforts, “and said as blatantly as possible: Nobody is going to answer the phone. You need to take care of yourself.” Seattle has approximately 600,000 people, and 200 Fire Fighters – “do the math,” he suggested.
Howard, who works for the City, spends his time helping communities – like Wallingford – in building communications networks and creating self-sustaining neighborhoods. “It is better to do it now,” he stated simply, because during an emergency is too late.
An earthquake, tsunami, or general apocalypse, could happen, but emergency preparedness focuses on the more likely, more immediate scenarios of structure fires, snow storms, landslides and severe traffic snarls. Stocking up medications in preparation for severe weather, packing along appropriate footwear and clothing for unplanned hikes home during an ice/snow storm, identifying elderly or special needs neighbors for assistance, etc. are simple suggestions that come about from discussions of emergency preparedness, Howard pointed out.
Identify Resources, and Recourses
On October 19th, Debbie Goetz, also with the Office of Emergency Management, will offer suggestions for emergency survival. “All of us need to be prepared at home, and at work,” Howard said. Goetz will focus on businesses, and the need to plan.
Madison Park, Howard shared, created a snow plan for 2010 to get people to critical doctor appointments, and keeping sidewalks clear for those who choose to walk instead of risking a vehicle. “If you look at it from a business perspective,” Howard suggested, “so many are dependent on daily deliveries.” Planning, in advance, can identify alternate local suppliers, to keep the doors open. On the East Coast last year, he reported, social media spread word on services, shops, transport, etc. open and available during the storm.
To Say ‘I’m Here!’
Community planning often focuses on residents but Howard agreed that the business district should participate. “I think it is a critical part,” he explained, “letting people know ‘I’m here!’, ‘I’m open!’”
For those who want to participate, Howard urged, “I encourage them to talk to John. He’s the person in the community.” As Nordstrand stated, his primary goal for the meeting is that, “I want people to know I exist.” History House has stockpiles of information on everything from surviving flu season to structure earthquake bracing, and Nordstrand sends out notices of meetings and plans by e-mail. Subscribe at fremergencyprep@historyhouse.org
“Part of our goals,” Nordstrand explained about History House, “is to be a good neighbor.” To this end, he hopes people prepare – even if they cannot attend the meeting. “Each person needs to know that it could be their home, their spouse, their business that needs help,” he said.
To that end, Fremonsters can gather on Oct. 19th to discuss what our community needs to be better prepared. R.S.V.P. to the Fremont Chamber (director@fremont.com) for the meeting – which costs $20 for the lunch catered by Kylie’s.
In addition, those who want to see community preparedness in action can contact Nordstrand about the city-wide drill on October 29th, from 9a – Noon. Community groups – like Wallingford and Magnolia/Queen Anne/Interbay – will practice their plans, with Nordstrand posted at B.F. Day School, with a ham radio set-up and ready to “play war games,” he joked. Howard urged those interested to, “observe, to see the actual exercise in action.”
Community preparation can include everyone. Find out more!
Related Articles
- Wallingford Prepares, And Fremont Benefits
- by Kirby Lindsay, March 19, 2010
- Before Emergencies Become Disasters
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- It’s A SNAP To Get Prepared For Disasters
- by Kirby Lindsay, November 5, 2008
©2011 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.