Emergency preparedness | City, residents should be ready for “the really big one”

Published 11:25 am Friday, July 17, 2015

Mercer Island aims to be prepared for “the really big one,” according to a press release from the King County Office of Emergency Management and the City of Mercer Island’s Emergency Management Department.

“If the recent New Yorker article has you paralyzed regarding a predicted mega earthquake and tsunami in the Puget Sound region, take a deep breath and consider practical steps you and your household can take now to be better prepared should the ‘really big one’ hit anytime soon,” the release says.

The city’s standing goal is to be prepared to respond and recover from any hazard as safely and quickly as possible. Mercer Island has emergency water well at Rotary Park, a cadre of trained volunteers and extensive emergency plans in place to make this goal a reality.

Apart from city government preparations, all residents must also be part of the solution. It is important that every resident is prepared to take care of himself or herself, and also their neighbors, for 10 days after a disaster.

The below information can assist you with that planning.

Ways emergency personnel are preparing

During any large disaster, fire, law enforcement, utility and other responders across the region coordinate their efforts to reach people in need and restore essential services as quickly as possible.

• Emergency management agencies have developed regional disaster plans for dealing with earthquakes, tsunamis, severe winter storms, and other hazards that threaten the region.

• Those plans are tested regularly to identify in gaps in the ability to respond quickly and effectively.

• There are protocols in place for elected officials to proclaim a state of emergency and request state and federal resources to be brought in to impacted areas.

• American Red Cross and other organizations work closely with emergency managers to establish shelters and other resources for residents in need.

However, following a large earthquake, communication lines, roads, water, gas and electricity may not be accessible for weeks, or longer. So, be personally prepared to be self-sufficient and on your own for 10 or more days.

Ways you can prepare and stay safe

1. Prepare for earthquakes in advance (and secure greater peace of mind) by:

• Making a plan for how you will communicate and where you will meet if separated. Practice your plan at least annually.

• Building emergency kits for your home and vehicle. If finances are tight, start small and add supplies as you are able, or band together with a neighbor to share resources.

• Helping each other by knowing your neighbors, their special needs and available community resources.

2. When the ground begins to shake, “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” until the shaking stops. Do this during any aftershocks that are likely to follow.

Let’s be frank

As uncomfortable as it might be, we need to have these conversations. Surviving an earthquake, or any other serious disaster, takes all of us doing our part to plan ahead, update and practice those plans, and helping those around us stay safe and secure.

This is one “to do” item you don’t want to put off. Get started today. Helpful tips and checklists can be found at Ready.gov.

For further information in response to this discussion:

http://www.mercergov.org/emergency preparedness

King County Emergency News blog – www.kcemergency.com

Public Health Insider blog – http://publichealthinsider.com/2015/07/14/surviving-the-really-big-one/#more-1084