On Saturday, September 30, volunteers from Broadview Prepares staffed a table at BOB (Bite of Broadview) answering questions and passing out information.
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The Emergency Communication Hubs are hosting a “disaster practice”.
Biggest event of the summer for the Hubs. Don’t miss it!
Sunday, June 11th
1:30pm to 4pm
10 different locations (Hubs)
Find the Hub location closest to you on the map – and sign up to attend.
Stop by for 30 minutes, or more. Whatever fits your schedule. You will learn so much about how we can (and will) support one another in the event of a disaster.
By signing up, you will receive a reminder for the event (3 days before) and also generate interest for others in your community!
Thank you for your interest in the Hubs! Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs In This Edition…. We have a forward looking newsletter for this quarter. Lots of training coming up and information sharing about the Hubs. In particular, mark your calendar for the date of our next all-city Hub and Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) exercise, on Sunday, June 11, 1:30 – 4:00 pm. Locations will be determined in May, watch our calendar for additional details as the date approaches. But we also take a moment to look back at 2022 and the amazing accomplishments of all the volunteers at their individual Hubs and in support of the Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs Network. To paraphrase a famous saying – never underestimate what a determined, grass-roots, community led group can accomplish! Finally, the Seattle Office of Emergency Management continues to offer on-line classes, but is now adding back in-person training, their current schedule is listed below. Upcoming Special Events / Training Learn more about the Hubs at these activities. Detailed information can be found at our calendar , and do check for any additional events added after publication of this newsletter. Seattle P-Patch Resource Fair, Hub information table April 22 @ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S Massachusetts St, Seattle, WA 98144 Are you a gardener at one of Seattle’s P-Patch community gardens? If so, stop by our booth at the Earth Day Resource Fair to learn more about the role of P-Patch gardens in a disaster. This program is organized by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods P-Patch Program GMRS Radio Practice for Victory Heights April 30 @ 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Victory Heights Park, 1737 NE 106th St Seattle, WA 98125 The goal is to identify areas of poor radio reception around the Victory Heights Hub. Participants will be sent out to pre-identified spots with instructions to contact the Hub. Antenna making party to follow! High Point Bee Festival, Hub information table May 20 @ 12:00 – 3:00 PM Lanham Place SW. between Graham Street and Sylvan Way SW The Bee Festival is back and the volunteers of the High Point Hub at Neighborhood House will be there to talk about their Hub and outreach to neighbors. Madison Valley MLK FAME Urban Survival Skills Fair May 21 @ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM MLK Fame Community Center, 3201 E Republican St. Seattle, 98112 An Urban Survival Skills Fair is where you can visit a number of tables to learn a new skill, tool or information that will help you be better prepared for emergencies. From water sanitation to pets to smartphone apps, stop by and see what’s important to know. You can stop at any or all of the stations to learn a skill and get information to help you be more prepared in a disaster to make sure you and your family will be safe and you have skills to help them and your neighbors. There is no cost to attend this event. Rainier Beach Urban Survival Skills Fair June 3 @ 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM Rainier Beach Community Center, 8825 Rainier Ave S. Seattle, WA 98118 An Urban Survival Skills Fair is where you can visit a number of tables to learn a new skill, tool or information that will help you be better prepared for emergencies. From water sanitation to pets to smartphone apps, stop by and see what’s important to know. You can stop at any or all of the stations to learn a skill and get information to help you be more prepared in a disaster to make sure you and your family will be safe and you have skills to help them and your neighbors. There is no cost to attend this event. Hubs & Auxiliary Communication Service Field Exercise June 11 @ 1:30 – 4:00 PM Hold the date! We will run a cross-city field exercise on this date. The scenario will be a massive power outage and the subsequent, cascading impacts to communications and life safety, not to mention the impact of no internet. Please check for details including which Hubs will participate, as the date nears. This event is open to all Hub volunteers and members of the public. GMRS radio network check-in, 8:00 pm Mondays We continue to work with the Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) to practice how to use ham radio in a disaster. For those who aren’t able to join the ACS group, we still have a need at the Hubs for people who can help with local radio communications. We use the Ground Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) and have a time set for every Monday, to check that our equipment is properly operating ready to go. For those of you who have gotten your GRMS license (no test, FCC fee only), remember to check in on the GMRS radio network. To obtain the repeater frequencies please send a request to info@seattleemergencyhubs.org 1st Monday of the month – Channel 1 repeater 2nd Monday of the month – Channel 2 repeater 3rd Monday of the month – Channel 4 repeater 4th Monday of the month – Channel 6 repeater 5th Monday of the month – no test This is a weekly on-air talk around to test our radios and repeaters. There will not be a formal net, please come up on the weekly designated channel and connect with other GMRS Hub radio operators. Share announcements, compare radios signal strength, meet new operators; this is to encourage participation and ensure our equipment is always in working order. ![]() Two Major Projects Nearing Completion Update to Self Help Poster Set We are finalizing a 6th poster in our Self Help after a disaster poster series, focused on Medications. This is in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health, the Washington State Pharmacy Association and the Coalition for Inclusive Emergency Planning. New messaging around the importance of having a preparedness plan for your medications and medical equipment will be coming out later this year, along with the new poster. You can view the current set here and translated versions are available upon request. “I Am Safe” Welfare Messages Did you know you can send email over ham radio? We are part of a national team working to document that capability as a way to send post-disaster messages to your out-of-area-contact to let them know you are safe after a major disaster, when all other communications are down. We have just finished a major proof-of-concept exercise with the Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) and other coalition partners. We will be sharing that process with you in our next newsletter. ![]() “I Am Safe” messages ![]() Hubs Network Accomplishments in 2022 When we look back each year, it’s a lesson in the dedication of committed volunteers. And thanks to all of you who attended these events, or came out to help at our yearly field exercise. The hubs are a success because of all the people involved and we want to continue that energy in 2023. To see our full report, including organizing, partnership and educational work, see the full report here. Major Accomplishments With a $33,360 Neighborhood Matching Fund Grant from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and with 1,000 plus volunteer hours we accomplished the following: Translated our Hub brochure for 7 languages Translated our Urban Survival Skills Fairs education material for 7 languages Translated our Self-help posters for 13 languages Added translated captioning and voice over for the “What is a Hub?” video for 7 languages Provisioned and installed 4 new Hub boxes at Eastlake, Greenwood, Roosevelt and Providence/Mt. Saint Vincent Resupplied 2 Additional Hubs at Pinehurst and Sand Point / Windermere In partnership with Seattle Auxiliary Communication Service and others, developed a system to collect and pass “I Am Safe” messages from people in an all power/internet out disaster zone to loved ones.This email/text-over-ham-radio process is entering the final testing phase, with participants across the US and Puerto Rico. In partnership with the Washington State Pharmacy Association, Washington State Dept. of Health and the Coalition for Inclusive Emergency Planning have been working to improve preparedness messaging around medications.Developing a 6th Self Help poster for Hubs about post-disaster pharmacy and medication information. A technical sub team transferred Hub location mapping into the City of Seattle Office of Emergency Management ARCGIS layer so as to be available and in synch with city GIS layers. Taught 2 classes on disaster preparedness at Raisback Aviation High School, part of a cirruclum developed to have the students learn about ham radio and to write grants for a Hub in a Box. Incorporated new best practices from After Action reviews of 2021 “Double Trouble” field exercise, summary video here. Expanded GMRS repeater network by adding a repeater covering the Central East Sector. New Hubs in 2022: Bradner Garden P-Patch and in work Madison Valley at FAME, Leo Farm P-Patch. Over 2,000 people have subscribed to our Newsletter. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2022 news stories about the Hubs West Seattle Blog, June 25, coverage of the first Welfare test at Field Day.“Local hams reach out to neighbors near and far on Field Day” https://westseattleblog.com/2022/06/happening-now-local-hams-reach-out-to-neighbors-near-and-far-on-field-day/ South Seattle Emerald, Jan 6, “After a Disaster, South Seattle Will Be on Its Own — Emergency Hubs Are Here to Help” https://southseattleemerald.com/2022/01/06/after-a-disaster-south-seattle-neighborhoods-will-be-on-their-own-emergency-hubs-are-here-to-help/ South Seattle Emerald, Oct 19, ” ‘Drop, Cover, and Hold on!’ The Annual Great ShakeOut Happens This Thursday” https://southseattleemerald.com/2022/10/19/drop-cover-and-hold-on-the-annual-great-shakeout-happens-this-thursday/?amp ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Emergency Preparedness Training Available Classes offered through the Office of Emergency Management The Office of Emergency Management has published their upcoming series of classes http://www.seattle.gov/emergency-management/about-us/event-calendar/ for latest updates: Disaster Preparedness: The Basics Tuesday, April 4, 6:30 – 8pm Location: Virtual on Zoom, Register at this Eventbrite link Have you ever wondered what you’ll do should an event disrupt your normal routine? What about your family or friends? Earthquakes, for example, do not happen every day, but that can happen and would be the worst-case scenario for Seattle. This presentation will provide an overview of the hazards that can impact Seattle, and steps community members can take to become prepared for the unexpected. Participants will receive guidance on how to develop a disaster plan, build a disaster supply kit, and organize with your neighbors to become better prepared. You’ll also receive an overview of other OEM efforts including the SNAP program, Community Emergency Hubs, and the City’s new alert and notification system, Alert Seattle. Intended Audience: This presentation is intended for a broad array of audiences. This could include a business or non-profit organization looking to increase the personal preparedness of its employees. For accessibility accommodations, please e-mail or text OEM@seattle.gov or 206-233-5076. Disaster Preparedness: The Basics Tuesday, April 12, 6 – 7:30 pm Location: Delridge Branch – The Seattle Public Library, 5423 Delridge Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106 Have you ever wondered what you’ll do should an event disrupt your normal routine? What about your family or friends? Earthquakes, for example, do not happen every day, but that can happen and would be the worst-case scenario for Seattle. This presentation will provide an overview of the hazards that can impact Seattle, and steps community members can take to become prepared for the unexpected. Participants will receive guidance on how to develop a disaster plan, build a disaster supply kit, and organize with your neighbors to become better prepared. You’ll also receive an overview of other OEM efforts including the SNAP program, Community Emergency Hubs, and the City’s new alert and notification system, Alert Seattle. Intended Audience: This presentation is intended for a broad array of audiences. This could include a business or non-profit organization looking to increase the personal preparedness of its employees. For accessibility accommodations, please e-mail or text OEM@seattle.gov or 206-233-5076. Earthquake Home Retrofit Saturday, April 29, 1:30 – 3:30pm Location: Rainier Beach Community Center, 8825 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118. Introductory class provides information for do-it-yourselfers or those who want to become educated consumers on how to seismically secure your home (especially if built before 1980) to its foundation. Experienced home retrofit instructors share their insight on tools needed, building techniques, the city’s free plan set and the permit process. For accessibility accommodations, please e-mail or text OEM@seattle.gov or 206-233-5076 Disaster Preparedness: The Basics Thursday, May 18, 6:30 – 8pm Location: Virtual on Zoom, Register at this Eventbrite link Have you ever wondered what you’ll do should an event disrupt your normal routine? What about your family or friends? Earthquakes, for example, do not happen every day, but that can happen and would be the worst-case scenario for Seattle. This presentation will provide an overview of the hazards that can impact Seattle, and steps community members can take to become prepared for the unexpected. Participants will receive guidance on how to develop a disaster plan, build a disaster supply kit, and organize with your neighbors to become better prepared. You’ll also receive an overview of other OEM efforts including the SNAP program, Community Emergency Hubs, and the City’s new alert and notification system, Alert Seattle. Intended Audience: This presentation is intended for a broad array of audiences. This could include a business or non-profit organization looking to increase the personal preparedness of its employees. For accessibility accommodations, please e-mail or text OEM@seattle.gov or 206-233-5076. ![]() ![]() ![]() Copyright © 2023 Seattle Emergency Communications Hubs, All rights reserved. |
Broadview is taking part in a city-wide Emergency Hub practice at Luther Memorial Church parking lot 13047 Greenwood Ave N on Sunday, June 11, 2023 1:30 – 4 pm.
This year’s mock scenario is an extensive power outage lasting for days, disrupting communications, water, transportation and more .
We will gather in the Luther Memorial parking lot to set up the hub and perform various hub roles. Training is provided. The primary qualification is a desire to help out in a significant emergency. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. For more information or to sign up to help contact: broadviewprepares @gmail.com.
OLYMPIA—A bill by Rep. Dan Bronoske (D-Lakewood) to provide immunity protections to emergency services volunteers has received unanimous support in both chambers of the Washington Legislature. The bill passed the state Senate on Monday after receiving approval by the House of Representatives in March. This is the first bill by the new representative to pass the legislature.
House Bill 1209 expands Washington’s Good Samaritan Law by providing that a person is not liable for any act or omission while providing volunteer nonmedical care or assistance at the scene of an emergency or disaster, unless the act or omission rises to the level of gross negligence, or willful or wanton misconduct.
—————————————> UPDATE April 30, 2021: Washington governor Jay Inslee signed the bill and it is now law. Here is a link to the law.
No one wants to eat expired food, even in a disaster. Check the expiration dates on the food in your emergency kit, even the canned goods! If they’re close to expiring, it’s time to use and replace them! Not sure how to use your emergency food supplies? The Oregon Health Authority has an Emergency Kit Recipes cookbook! Try a new recipe and become a disaster chef!
Many of the items in your emergency kit have expiration dates, including bandages, ointments, and over the counter medications. It’s important to check the expiration dates on these items and replace them as needed. We recommend checking the expiration dates and rotating any items that are close to expiring at least once a year.
We can help with that. Many of the supplies we recommend for your emergency kit can be found around your home! Spring cleaning is a good time to locate and gather those supplies, and keep them together in a safe place like a bin or backpack, so you’ll know exactly where they are if a disaster strikes.
Click the link below to for a standard emergency kit checklist, but remember: this is your kit! Personalize it with items you think you’ll want or need during a disaster.
Spring has sprung, and there’s no better time to refresh your disaster skills! Check out our YouTube channel for videos that will teach you helpful skills in an emergency like how to shut off a gas or water line, proper use of a fire extinguisher, and even how to make an emergency toilet. Disaster skills videos are available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and brand new videos in Amharic!
Should we experience an earthquake of any magnitude the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has a website where they would appreciate having people report whether or not they felt the quake. The name of the webpage is Did You Feel It? Did you Feel It? is a citizen science project that would appreciate reports from any interested individual. The project collects information from people who felt an earthquake and creates maps that show what people experienced and the extent of damage. And they are also interested in reports of who did not feel an earthquake that was in their area. Take a look at the webpage on Did You Feel It to learn more about the project and so you can participate if you wish. The FAQ section of the page tells how the information is used and why it is useful. https://earthquake.usgs.gov/data/dyfi/index.php
In the current coronavirus emergency people are offering to help. Experience in emergencies around the world has been that people want to help and do help. One way to think of this is how it will be when we have a severe earthquake. We will all be limited in being able to travel around by car or bus. There won’t be any electronic media — no Facebook, no Nextdoor. We will be limited to helping each other on our own block or near blocks, or neighbors in multifamily buildings.
In the current emergency remember to connect with near neighbors. Just the contact (maintaining social distancing guidelines) will be beneficial in keeping spirits up. And one of the obvious tasks that can be helped with is grocery shopping for those who are at higher risk and are encouraged to stay at home. Delivery services are backed up for days. Non-higher risk folks offering to do grocery shopping for higher risk neighbors can help. There are many other possible ways to help near neighbors, you will find them out.