Tribal senior center hosts training for disaster preparation

Being prepared is no longer exclusively a Boy Scout thing.

It works for senior citizens as well.

That's why the Swinomish Senior Center was the site of a three-hour community disaster preparedness training program last Friday.

Tribal Community Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Geer and Swinomish EMC specialist Keri Cleary led the interactive session, which focused on how to prepare for a wide range of disaster scenarios.

"A disaster is anything that overwhelms your immediate resources," Geer said.

By definition, then, Western Washington disaster threats include but are not limited to earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanos, wildland fires, flooding, tidal surges, windstorms, rockslides and power outages.

Geer and Cleary encouraged those attending the training to begin creating emergency kits filled with items that can help sustain them during extended shelter-in-place or evacuation situations.

"There are some good, pre-packaged kits, but we encourage you to build your own kit," Geer said. "All you need is a backpack that you can easily carry on your back."

Geer said the American Red Cross is an excellent source for emergency kit items like flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, packaged or bottled water, and first aid materials. If space permits, he added, one might consider including a favorite book or deck of cards. Local maps merit serious consideration as well.

"Our goal is to help you build your kits as best we can," Geer said.

He noted that Swinomish each summer hosts annual preparedness fairs where emergency kit items acquired through grants and "hard money that the tribe provides" are disbursed to the public.

The kits are important, stressed Geer, because "emergencies are not always short-lived."

Cleary agreed.

"Most stores have three days of stock on hand," she said. "If a bridge shuts down for a week, you'll have shortages."

Geer and Cleary urged their audience to develop and regularly practice home emergency and escape plans.

"You aren't prepared until you make a plan," Geer said. "But a plan is no good unless you practice it."

Geer said an evacuation plan should designate a family meeting area. Those with two-story homes would be wise to install roll-out ladders. Pet owners should know the locations of pet-friendly shelters.

Geer and Cleary also advised getting to know one's neighbors and becoming aware of their specific health care needs in advance of any emergency.

Geer said severe windstorms are this area's most common disaster scenario. "It's what we can expect every year."

But wildland fires increasingly worry him.

"At Swinomish, we live in 12 square miles of woods with just two exits," he said. "If you think it's easy when everyone's trying drive out at the same time, you're wrong."

The wildland fire threat is real.

"We're just now coming up on wildland fire season, but about three weeks ago we had six wildfires pop up in the eastern part of the county and it was only mid-May," he said.

Geer will start a supervisory position with the Skagit County Department of Emergency Management next month, making Cleary the "go-to" person for emergency management at Swinomish. She has an extensive background in emergency management, transportation planning and code enforcement.

Geer will remain active locally as a Swinomish Police reservist. He likewise will discuss emergency management issues here when available.

"I'm a nerd on this stuff," he said. "I can talk about it all day long."