Be a Master of Disaster: 3 ways to do it this weekend

In honor of our state’s Disaster Preparedness Month, throughout April – and continuing for a few weeks into May – we’re helping local community leaders share information geared to help you take steps to ensure your family’s safety in case the unthinkable happens. One big emphasis is the designation of neighborhood gathering spots around West Seattle where residents will be able to go for information and help if the normal lines of communication are down; even if the only preparedness step you take this spring is to know your nearest gathering spot, that’s still progress. With that in mind, we’ve made the map you see above – each marker is clickable and explains that respective location and who it’s for. Two communities, Alki and Morgan Junction, have already had one-day drop-in events for neighbors to visit the gathering spot and get disaster-preparedness info; this weekend, you’ve got the same chance in two more — 8 am-10 am tomorrow at 20th and Andover, during the Pigeon Point neighborhood cleanup, drop by to get info and get acquainted; 10 am-2 pm Sunday at Ercolini Park, Junction-area residents are invited to do the same. ONE MORE THING YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW, NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE: One of the many West Seattleites working on this effort is Cindy Pestka, who has worked a long time to help people with readiness (we borrowed the “Master of Disaster” term from her); she created a checklist of supplies you can purchase right now to have on hand “just in case” – it has helpful specifics, not just the generalized lists you often see. We’ve uploaded it here so you can take a look and print it out for yourself for use in building a kit you can get to if you need it (and if you don’t have MS Word — thanks to Amy F, here’s a PDF version).

SomeGuy April 25, 2008 (10:52 am)

One great tip I read after Katrina – everyone should keep an emergency stash of money (small bills). If the power grid is down, no ATMs and any local stores that are open are likely to be cash-only as their payment systems will also be down.

d April 25, 2008 (12:14 pm)

Everytime I see this map, I wonder why there are no markers in the southeastern and southern areas. Highland Park, Riverview, South Delridge..Fauntleroy…others?…don’t seem to be represented. I wonder why? Have they organized meeting areas which are reflected somewhere else? Or what? BTW, this absence has gotten me curious enough that I will be attending my neighborhood meeting for the first time in over three years.

sandra m April 25, 2008 (12:29 pm)

D,
I was also wondering why there is an absence of markers in the southern areas of WS. Maybe we need to become more involved with our local neighborhood groups.
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I’ve learned that some neighborhoods have ‘official’ neighborhood plans filed with the city, and those areas are more likely to be represented in various venues. MoCA –Morgan Community Association — is one group that has a neighborhood plan. Cindi Barker does a bang up job of keeping her group up-to-date and coordinated.
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I’d like to see SW Community Center as one of the designated emergency shelters or gathering spots, for one. Another spot would be the Westwood Village Target parking lot and/or the Roxhill Park.

sandra m April 25, 2008 (12:30 pm)

WSB–
Thank you so much for all the work you’re doing! I wish I had known about your blog earlier!!

add April 25, 2008 (1:33 pm)

We went to the info day at Morgan Thriftway last weekend, and while mostly we just picked up some info, it was great to know that there is a neighborhood plan. We explained to our kids (ages 10 & 13) that the TW is the place to meet if something happens and they can’t get to our house – I was surprised at how the conversation turned from casual/informational to something suddenly very important – I felt an unexpected lump rise up in my throat!

So – it was also a reminder to actually DO something to be prepared. Thanks for keeping this “front & center”!

d April 25, 2008 (2:01 pm)

sandra m –

First of all, I’ve got to preface this comment with the fact that I KNOW I have got a lot to learn about how things get done. I know nothing. So to all of the folks working hard to get things done, please forgive my current state of ignorance.

So, yeah, sandra m – those seem like great ideas for locations to me.

How about Riverview/Highland Park area? There is the Highland Park Improvement Club Building on Holden around 12th or 13th, I think.

What other emergency gathering locations might there be? Surely there are others living in other underpresented areas of the map reading who might have other ideas? Represent peeps!

WSB April 25, 2008 (2:56 pm)

We put out the call several times for representatives in the southern parts of West Seattle and I think the accurate description was “crickets.” There are a couple neighborhood groups in those areas who also have yet to designate their spot and set a place/time – Cindi Barker of the Morgan Community Association, Southwest Precinct Advisory Council, etc., is providing me with updates and as soon as we hear more we will present those too. But if you live in an area where you think you can help – please e-mail Cindi at cbarker@qwest.net

d April 25, 2008 (3:18 pm)

Hey WSB –

I actually chatted with Cindi a bit when she was at the Thriftway. Evidently, I was standing behind you at the table and did not know it. Anyway, I was going to email her after my Highland Park Neighborhood Meeting this coming Monday night at 7:00 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club. Coincidence? Not so much. ;)

I’m glad I saw the notice here though. And, also, that I noticed the list of all the West Seattle Neighboorhoods’ Groups on the right side of the page. Just one of the numerous reasons I heart WSB so!

Pete April 25, 2008 (4:28 pm)

For those of you in south Delridge that want to get together with your neighborhood group you can check out the Highland Park Action Committee at thier monthly meeting on April 28th at the Improvement club. The Westwood neighborhood has their neighborhood council up and going again. These are just two expamples of groups in south Delridge. You can always contact Ron Angeles at the Neighborhood Service Center next to the library on Delridge or call him at 206.684.7416. Another option is to attend the Delridge Neighborhoods District Coundil meetings. They are help on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, beginning at 7 pm at the Police Precint at SW Webster & Derlridge Way SW. If you want to get ivolved in your neighborhood trust me when I tell you that there are plenty of opportunities. All you have to do is go the events page of this blog to reinforce that notion.

Cindi April 25, 2008 (8:17 pm)

There is a focal for Fauntleroy, who is out of town and will be setting that community’s date when he gets back. We’ve been in touch with the High Point community group – just missed their April meeting, so will have to catch up there.

Sorry, comment time is over.