Everett residents can sign up for free emergency alerts and start building disaster kits as the city begins a preparedness campaign tied to National Preparedness Month.
The City of Everett announced Friday, Sept. 11 that it will spend September sharing resources in four areas: building an emergency kit, making a household plan, staying informed through alert systems and learning about local hazards such as earthquakes, floods and severe weather.
"Emergency preparedness can seem like a daunting task, but taking small steps – like storing an extra case of water or purchasing an emergency radio – can make a difference should an emergency or disaster strike," Jim Sande, the city's emergency management director, said in the announcement.
Mayor Cassie Franklin said preparedness goes beyond stockpiling supplies. She said knowing what to do and where to turn when an emergency happens makes the entire community stronger and able to recover more quickly.
What the city is asking residents to do
- Build an emergency kit. Stock enough food, water, medications and essential supplies to be self-sufficient for several days. Account for children, older adults and pets.
- Make a plan. Decide how your household will communicate, where you will go and what you will do if you need to evacuate or shelter in place.
- Stay informed. Sign up for SnoCoAlerts, Snohomish County's early warning system powered by Smart911, at snocoalerts.snoco.org. Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio as a backup.
- Know your community. Learn which hazards affect Everett and Snohomish County and talk with neighbors about how to support one another before, during and after an emergency.
A year-long program, one hour a month
Beyond September, the city is pointing residents to the state's Prepare In A Year program, run by the Washington State Military Department's Emergency Management Division. The program breaks preparedness into 12 monthly steps, each taking about one hour.
The steps start with writing a communications plan and an action plan, then move through storing water, assembling a grab-and-go kit, securing important documents and practicing earthquake safety. The goal is simple. By the end of 12 months, participants aim to be two weeks ready for a disaster, according to the program's guide.
The city said residents can find more information on emergency preparedness, alerts and other resources at everettwa.gov/preparedness.
National Preparedness Month runs through Sept. 30. The Prepare In A Year calendar can start any month.
