Fremont Chamber Learns More Emergency Preparedness

FCCEmerPrepHHOct11JohnNordstrandIntroduces800px — John Nordstrand (standing) introduced the meeting on Emergency Preparedness held at History House on October 19, 2011. Photo by K. Lindsay

The Fremont Chamber of Commerce hosted a meeting organized by (and held at) History House on Wednesday, October 19^th, to inform the business community about the need for emergency preparedness. The well-attended meeting (with food provided by Kylie’s Chicago Pizza, PCC Natural Markets and Milstead & Co,) covered much of the information shared by John Nordstrand and Mark Howard in the Fremocentrist.com column on October 12^th.

However, Debbie Goetz gave an energetic and informative presentation on some of the practical matters of preparing for an earthquake, and other disasters. As a representative, along with Howard, of the City of Seattle Office of Emergency Management, Goetz made sure to inform the up-to-date policy of ‘Drop, Cover, and Hold.’ In an earthquake everyone should drop, seek cover under solid furniture (a desk or table) and hold on to the furniture with your face covered. If no furniture is available, or not enough, get ‘Beneath, Beside, Between’ an inside wall or heavy furniture taller than your prone form.

FCCEmerPrepHHOct11DebbieGoetzAddresses800px — Debbie Goetz, from the Office Of Emergency Management, gives updated information on earthquake safety measures at the October 2011 Fremont Chamber meeting. Photo by K. Lindsay

“We do not encourage people to run outside,” Goetz emphasized, and do not stand in a doorway, particularly one with a swinging door. For businesses, she observed that “people want leadership,” in a crisis, and 60 – 70% of people will comply with a direct command. In a shop or office, shouting clearly and rationally for people to ‘drop, cover and hold’ will help keep customers, clients and employees safe. “Most people won’t have a plan,” she explained.

“Here in the United States,” she expanded, “we build buildings very well.” An earthquake, in Seattle, is unlikely to cause entire building collapses. “More people are killed or injured by how we decorate,” Goetz advised. In businesses, bolt or anchor items when possible, and consider displaying larger, heavy items on the floor or low shelves.

Call To Action

Goetz explained that, after an earthquake, Seattle could be divided into seven islands. Businesses unable to reopen in the three days following an emergency, she explained, generally never do. Following an earthquake or severe crisis (think Hurricane Katrina, the May 2011 tornados, the 2011 Japan earthquake, etc.) 2/3rds of small businesses will not survive. The ones that prepared more often are part of the 1/3^rd.

FCCEmerPrepHHOct11MarkHowardwScreen800px — Mark Howard, of the Office of Emergency Management, praised the work of community groups to build communications networks around Seattle, on Oct. 19th at History House. Photo by K. Lindsay

The October 19^th meeting focused primarily on the need for neighbors to communicate, and establish networks. Howard spoke of the need to disseminate information, and exercises like the one Nordstrand will take part in on Saturday, October 29^th. During an emergency, he will need people to bring him information so he can get it distributed. To find out what that looks like, stop by the playground at B.F. Day School from 9a – Noon.

For more information, stop by History House – at 790 N 34^th Street – or e-mail John Nordstrand at fremergencyprep@historyhouse.org, and subscribe to the notices of training. The Office of Emergency Management also distributes a monthly e-news mailer, and other information, from their website. Finally, if nothing else, take this article as a reason to go out and meet the neighbors, say hello and start building your own community network!