The Message Board at the Hub, emergency communications center in Wedgwood.
On Saturday, May 11 the Emergency Communications Hub in Wedgwood had a practice session. This communications area would be activated in case of the failure of all phones during a disaster such as an earthquake. The Hub at the Hunter Tree Farm has a shelter for amateur radio operators to gather and send messages to the central city emergency office so that, in case of a real emergency, info can be sent and received.
The Hub at the Hunter Tree Farm, 7744 35th Ave NE, will not have emergency supplies in case of a natural disaster, but will serve as a communications area for neighbors to give and receive help. There is a message board set up for leaving notes to offer services (such as, “I have a chain saw for removing trees in the road.”) or for asking for help (“We are out of diapers.”) Messages can be left as to your whereabouts in case of emergency, or requesting info on missing neighbors and family members. The Hub at Hunter Tree Farm is not a city-services or supply depot, but in case of an emergency, volunteers at The Hub will help community members offer and exchange aid.
Volunteer greeters Joann and Bill at a practice Emergency Preparedness Drill, the Hub at Hunter Tree Farm.
Families should make a plan and have a kit in case of emergencies, using the guidelines of Seattle’s Emergency Preparedness office. Every household needs a Family Disaster Plan of how to get in touch with one another, and where to go in case of the need to evacuate. Build a supply kit in a rolling bin or suitcase in an accessible place, such as a garage or shed in the backyard. The kit can contain water, food, first aid, tools, medications and printed prescription info, and lists of telephone contacts.
Make a plan, be prepared with your family and neighbors in case of emergency.
The Spring and Summer months are ideal times to network with neighbors for block-level preparedness. Have a barbecue and exchange contact info with neighbors so that they know how to get ahold of you, and make a list of who has skills and supplies on the block. In case of an extended power outage, plans can be set in place for a neighborhood cook site at an outdoor grill, for example. The Map Your Neighborhood program has idea lists, how-to suggestions on organizing your block and preparedness information.