Showing posts with label emergency preparedness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label emergency preparedness. Show all posts

Waitlist for the NEMCo Community Emergency Response Team Class in March

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

The Northshore Emergency Management Coalition (NEMCo) is offering a free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class on March 4, 5, and 11, 2023 from 8:00am to 5:00pm, at Fire Station 51 in Kenmore 7220 NE 181st Street Kenmore, WA 98028.

While the class is currently full, you may still fill out the application and, if there are any cancelations, they will notify applicants based on the order received. Anyone not able to get into the March class will be notified first when the next class is scheduled.

The CERT Program provides information on local hazards and community training on basic preparedness for events that include earthquakes, windstorms, snow events, floods, landslides and more.

Classes are presented by trained CERT community members in the areas of Fire Safety, Basic First Aid, Disaster Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue, Utility Management, and overall preparedness.

CERT is for everyone! Topics are presented in an easy to understand, step-by-step process, with hands-on training to build your knowledge and skills.

After a little practice, you and your classmates will participate in a disaster simulation, giving you the opportunity to use the training and apply what you have learned, and building confidence in your abilities.

The class is free and attendance at all three classes is required to receive your certificate.

For more information and to register for the waitlist, please visit the NEMCo announcements page.


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CERT Class in Kenmore during March

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

CERT fire extinguisher demonstration
CERT CLASS!
March 4th, March 5th and March 11th, 8:00am - 5:00pm, Kenmore, WA

The Northshore Emergency Management Coalition (NEMCo) free CERT Program provides information on local hazards and community training on basic preparedness for events that include earthquakes, wind storms, snow events, floods, landslides and more. 

Classes are presented by trained CERT Community members in the areas of Fire Safety, Basic First Aid, Disaster Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue, Utility Management and overall preparedness. 

CERT is for everyone! Topics are presented in an easy to understand, step-by-step process, with hands-on training to build your knowledge and skills.

After a little practice, you and your classmates will participate in a disaster simulation giving you the opportunity to use Hands-on NEMCo CERT Training and apply what you have learned, building confidence in your abilities.

This class will be held from 8am to 5pm on Saturday March 4, Sunday March 5 and Saturday March 11, 2023 at Fire Station 51 in Kenmore 7220 NE 181st Street Kenmore, WA 98028

Attendance at all three classes is required to receive your certificate. 

For more information please visit: https://www.northshoreemc.com/



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Take the survey: Natural Hazards and Community Preparedness

Saturday, January 28, 2023

The City of Shoreline and King County Emergency Management are partnering with the University of Washington to survey Shoreline residents about natural hazards and community preparedness in the Puget Sound region. 

We’d like to ask for your support by taking a short survey. All responses are private. 

Please contact Molly Daly, the Survey Coordinator ExpectationsGap@uw.edu with any questions.

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Shoreline road closure map and other winter storm resources

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Check the map for current conditions

Depending on conditions, the City of Shoreline may post road closure signs on some of our known danger spots. You can see where those are on the Snow Event Closure Map

Additional closures may be added as conditions are assessed.

Winter Storm Resources


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Shoreline ACS hybrid meeting Saturday November 12, 2022 10am at Fire headquarters

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

ACS volunteers at the Shoreline Farmers Market
The Shoreline Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) November monthly meeting will be held Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 10am PST in person at Shoreline Fire Headquarters 17525 Aurora Ave N and on Zoom.

The ACS is a volunteer organization of amateur radio operators, who continuously train to provide emergency communications in the event of disasters. 

The team also provides communications support for public service events such as road races, parades and local fairs. Shoreline ACS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Contact the organization for the Zoom link to the meeting: shorelineacs@gmail.com



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Shoreline Fire CPR/AED class Wednesday November 9, 2022

Friday, November 4, 2022

On Wednesday, November 9, 2022 from 6pm - 8pm, Shoreline Fire will offer a class in CPR/AED at their headquarters station at 17525 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133.

American Heart Association - Heartsaver Class teaches Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

If you need a certification card, the cost is $50 cash. The class is free otherwise.



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Register now for CERT training class November 12-13, 2022

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Over the weekend of November 12, 2022, The Northshore Emergency Management Coalition will be hosting a CERT Basic Training for any interested members of the community. CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team.


CERT training covers basic skills that are important to know in a disaster when emergency services are not available. With training and practice, and by working as a team, you will be able to protect yourself and maximize your capability to help the greatest number of people after a disaster. 

This course will be held at Fire Station 51 in Kenmore, 7220 NE 181st, Kenmore and will run all day Saturday and Sunday with a follow up practical exercise on Saturday, November 19th at the Bellevue training center. 

The course is free.



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Intro to Emergency Radio in person class at Kenmore fire station

Monday, October 24, 2022


Be one of the helpers after a disaster. Learn how to operate Emergency Radios and volunteer with a local group. 

The three hour Intro to Emergency Radio class is delivered by NEMCo's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). This program is for CERT members and residents of Shoreline, Kenmore and Lake Forest Park. 

You will learn how to use basic handheld radios and why they are critical to your preparation and during emergencies or other events. You will also learn how to setup a Neighbor to Neighbor network with your radios. This is an introductory class with no previous radio experience required.


Please complete this registration to enroll in the NEMCo's Intro to Emergency Radio. This class will be held from 5:30pm to 9:00pm on Wednesday November 2nd at Fire Station 51 in Kenmore 7220 NE 181st St, Kenmore WA 98028.  
For additional information contact: northshoreemc@gmail.com

If you are interested in volunteering to be part of your community emergency services, a number of cities in the area have groups you can join. You aren't limited to being involved in just your community. Volunteer groups welcome people from all over the area.

Lake Forest Park and Kenmore have a joint agreement that is covered by the Northshore Emergency Management Coalition (NEMCo). https://www.northshoreemc.com.
  • Volunteer opportunities are in Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
Shoreline has volunteer opportunities in radio and neighborhood programs.

Shoreline Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) https://sites.google.com/a/w7aux.org/shoreline-acs/


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Join the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill October 20, 2022

Thursday, October 6, 2022

By Kevin Lowery, NEMCo Emergency Manager

Every October 20th, on International ShakeOut Day, the Northshore Emergency Management Coalition (NEMCo) joins the world in its largest global earthquake drill. 

With over 18 million people registered for the 2022 drill, I would like to invite the members of our community to ask themselves; If the ground began to shake strongly right now, would you know what to do to be safe? Would your family, neighbors, or co-workers? Are you prepared to survive and recover quickly?

Everyone, everywhere, should know how to protect themselves during earthquakes– at home, at work, at school, or even while traveling. 

The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is a once-a-year chance for everyone to practice how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” as well as learn other earthquake safety tips. 

To join NEMCo and the millions of people in schools, businesses, government agencies, organizations, and homes across the state and around the world, go to ShakeOut.org to register your family or organization. 

Registration is free, and most drills only take a few minutes. The website also has instructions for how to plan your drill and get prepared for earthquakes.

As part of this drill, NEMCo will also be testing the Alert Northshore system by sending out a test alert message via text and email at 10:20am to kick off the drill. 

We’re all in this together, so be sure to invite everyone you know to also participate. Then “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” on October 20th!



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New NEMCo Emergency Manager

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Kevin Lowery, NEMCo Emergency Manager

This summer, the City of Lake Forest Park welcomed Kevin Lowery to its team. Kevin is the new Emergency Manager for the Northshore Emergency Management Coalition (NEMCo).

The Northshore Emergency Management Coalition (NEMCo) is a partnership among the cities of Kenmore and Lake Forest Park (LFP), Northshore Fire Department (NSFD) and Northshore Utility District (NUD). NEMCo was created to provide the communities it serves with efficient emergency management resources.

Kevin began his career in public service in 2002, volunteering as a firefighter while studying as an undergrad at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He next served in local law enforcement, and later joined the United States Coast Guard. 

He most recently served as the Assistant Operations Officer on the Coast Guard’s only oceanographic research vessel and as a Command Duty Officer in Seattle’s Joint Rescue Coordination Center.

Kevin holds a Master of Administrative Science as well as a Master of Emergency Management. In his hometown, Mr. Lowery volunteered with the Cranbury Township Fire Department, Board of Recreation, and as the Chairman of the township’s Municipal Alliance Committee on Drug Abuse and Alcoholism. He spends his free time exploring public lands, reading, and spending time with his family.

Under Kevin’s leadership, NEMCo has started to re-engage its volunteers, both Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), by taking an active role at recent events such as LFP’s Safety Day in July, August’s National Night Out festivities in both Lake Forest Park and Kenmore, and the dedication of the West Sammamish Bridge. 

During these events NEMCo shared preparedness information and helped to provide basic first aid to the public. Both he CERT and RACES groups were at the Picnic in the Park event on September 10 at Pfingst Animal Acres Park. Citizens can find more emergency preparation information on NEMCo’s website

Anyone interested in volunteering can email Kevin directly.


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Senate unanimously approves major school seismic safety funding bill

Thursday, February 10, 2022

American Geosciences Institute

OLYMPIA — Schools in parts of the state threatened by earthquakes or tsunamis would be able to draw from a sizable pot of state funding to replace or retrofit buildings, under a bill passed by the Senate tonight.

“Hundreds of school buildings across the state, from tsunami zones on the coast to seismically active areas inland, face a high risk of serious damage,” said Sen. David Frockt (D-Seattle), the sponsor of SB 5933
“Low-probability but catastrophic risks like earthquakes and tsunamis are some of the hardest for communities to guard against. The cost is high, and the likelihood for any one town is that its schools will be spared a disaster, making it hard to justify funding.
“But when multiplied by all the communities in potentially geologically active areas across our state — one with an unusually high risk of seismic activity, as Mt. St. Helens demonstrated so lastingly — this problem is urgent.”

Frockt’s bill would establish a grant program to provide state funding toward the cost of replacing or seismically retrofitting school buildings in high seismic areas or tsunami zones. The grants would pay two-thirds of the cost of replacing or retrofitting eligible schools.

Eligible school buildings would have been built before 1998 and not retrofitted more recently than 2005.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.



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City of Shoreline Weather Update: Cold temperatures and snow in the forecast

Friday, December 24, 2021

The fountain at Shoreline City Hall often freezes
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Weather Update: Cold temperatures and snow in the forecast

Conditions forecast

There is the potential for snow Saturday and Sunday nights, but the amount of accumulation expected is still unclear. The real issue will be the cold temperatures, which will begin Saturday and extend well into next week. Temperatures could drop into the teens during that time. Snow, ice, and cold temperatures can make for dangerous driving conditions and put our vulnerable populations at risk. Now is the time to prepare.

For the latest weather forecast go to National Weather Service. (Editor: For local weather Carl's Shoreline Weather Station)

What to do when the power goes out

Snow Removal

Shoreline street crews will apply de-icer, if possible, before any possible snow hits. However, they won't put de-icer down while it is raining as it will just wash away. If it snows, Shoreline crews plow primary routes first. They will continue to work primary routes until the snow stops. Once snow stops and the primary routes are clear, they will then move to secondary routes. Only after primary and secondary roads are clear will we start plowing neighborhood streets.

Please stay off the roads if you can to give crews a chance to clear them and put down de-icer.
Road Closures

Depending on conditions, the City may post road closure signs on some of our known danger spots. You can see where those are on the Snow Event Closure Map. The City may also need to close other roads due to conditions.

Facility closures and/or hours of operations:
  • City Hall and Spartan Recreation Center
  • These facilities will be closed Friday, December 24 and Saturday, December 25.

Shoreline Parks

Parks are open; however, we encourage visitors to use caution. Wet, heavy snow can cause tree branches to snap and trees to fall. Please stay out from under trees and avoid forested park areas.

Shoreline Emergency Severe Weather Shelter

The threshold for activation will generally be a prediction of four-plus hours of temperatures at or below 33 degrees overnight or snow accumulation of two or more inches. Activation will be determined on a daily basis by 9:00am. Call the shelter hotline at 206-801-2797 for activation status. When activated, the shelter will be open from 8pm to 7:30am. 

Update: The shelter will be open starting Saturday evening, 12/25, through 12/29. If you find neighbors in need of shelter, please send them to St. Dunstan's Church. We will open the doors to guests at 8pm.

Public Transit

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Light during power outages

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

By Vicki Michels

I want to put in a 'plug' for an item I have found priceless. They are light bulbs. But THESE bulbs contain a self-charging addition. 

They look and work just like normal bulbs. But if the power is suddenly cut (like from an outage, or even when we overload a circuit and it flips the breaker, like I did last night) the light stays on!

And it will last for hours. I personally have one screwed into my living room lamp, bathroom fixture, dining room chandelier, and kitchen light. 

Last time there was an outage, I could get around just fine. You can even remove the bulb entirely, when it lights up during an emergency, and use it as an emergency flashlight!

I highly recommend these. Mine are from Boundery, but I think other manufacturers have taken the hint. They are more expensive (of course) than your garden-variety light bulbs. 

But you need only a few in the most important areas, both for safety and convenience. (Nice Christmas presents?)



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Northshore Fire honors Carl Lunak on his last day with NEMCo

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Northshore Fire honors Carl Lunak (4th from left)
Photo courtesy Northshore Fire

On Monday, September 13, 2021, Northshore Fire honored Carl Lunak on his last day serving as the Emergency Manager for the City of Lake Forest Park, the City of Kenmore - Government, Northshore Utility District and the Northshore Fire Department

In 2017, Carl's passion for emergency preparedness allowed him to fulfill this much needed role for all involved and the NEMCo (Northshore Emergency Management Coalition) was formed. 

He has worked with several businesses and has touched many lives in and around our community. 

We wish him well on his new adventure in his new role as the Emergency Manager for the City of Bellevue, Washington - Government. Congratulations - you will be missed!


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NEMco volunteers in statewide emergency communications exercise

Monday, June 7, 2021

Photo courtesy NEMco

On Saturday May 29, 2021 NEMCo Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) volunteers opened the communication rooms at Northshore Fire Station 51 and the City of Lake Forest Park City Hall to participate in a statewide emergency communications exercise. 

NEMCo RACES established contact with numerous other jurisdictions around the state and passed simulated emergency messaging as part of the drill. 

NEMCo Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members also participated by attempting to contact each other from home using only family band radios. 

The exercise participants accomplished a long list of goals and again demonstrated the value of Volunteer Emergency Workers in our community.


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Earthquake alert system goes live May 4

Monday, May 3, 2021


On Tuesday, May 4, 2021, the ShakeAlert® Earthquake Early Warning system will go live in Washington, completing the West Coast rollout of the new technology, which is capable of giving residents and visitors seconds of warning before earthquake shaking arrives.

ShakeAlert® is not earthquake prediction. The alert system detects earthquakes that have already begun, rapidly estimates the shaking they will create, then sends an alert to areas which will receive shaking.

To receive these alerts, check to see if Wireless Emergency Alerts are turned on in your smartphone by clicking here

If you get an earthquake alert - drop - cover- hold on


Besides the state Amber Alerts, there are alert systems specific to King county:

King County



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City of Shoreline Office of Emergency Management will offer online CERT training

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

CERT training available in Shoreline
The City of Shoreline Office of Emergency Management will be offering Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training beginning on March 31, 2021.

CERT is a training program used nationwide to help communities prepare for and respond to disasters and is an integral part of the Ready Shoreline program.

While CERT training normally includes both lecture and hands-on training, this session will be offered as a hybrid course with lectures being provided online and practical demonstrations being offered at a later date.

The course consists of eight classes to be held one class per week on Tuesday evenings. Classes will start at 6:30pm.

Participants will receive training in the areas of disaster preparedness, fire suppression, disaster first aid, search and rescue, terrorism awareness and disaster psychology.

Class size is limited so register soon!

If you would like to register for this CERT Basic Training course, go to www.shorelinewa.gov/readyshoreline and click on the CERT Class Sign-Up button.

For more information, contact The Shoreline Office of Emergency Management at soem@shorelinewa.gov



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If you lose power, phone lines are busy, and you or your neighbor needs help - what is your plan?

Sunday, March 7, 2021

ACS working late into the night
Photo copyright Marc Weinberg

By Marc Weinberg

Wind storm! Snow storm! Ice storm! Power failure! No lights! No cell service! No Internet!

If you lose power, phone lines are busy, and you or your neighbor needs help, what is the plan?

There's an average of 117 'Natural Hazard' events a year in Washington and in most emergencies cellphone towers become flooded with communications and calls go unanswered or busy. 

What happens then?

Shoreline / Lake Forest Park is surrounded by three radio amateur emergency communications groups:
  • Snohomish County [Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS)]
  • North Shore Emergency Management Collation (NEMCO)
  • Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service
And Shoreline has had such a group for nearly 30 years, originally organized to support the Shoreline Fire Department. 

Shoreline ACS volunteers erecting a beam antenna 2009
Photo copyright Marc Weinberg

Today, the Shoreline Auxiliary Communication Service (ACS), a volunteer community asset, supports the City of Shoreline, Shoreline Fire, and Shoreline Police, by staffing and operating the communications center in the City’s Emergency Operations Center. 

In addition to emergency community communications support, the Shoreline ACS also supports many community events (e.g. Celebrate Shoreline, North City Jazz Festival), and has regular meetings for training and discussing emerging radio tech.

Shoreline ACS volunteers at the 2019 Jazz Walk
Photo copyright Marc Weinberg
 
Shoreline also has 300+ licensed amateur radio operators, Hams. 

That’s right. Hams aren’t just for Easter anymore. Your neighborhood Hams can have direct access to the Shoreline ACS during times of emergency. 

We would like to know you are out there, so please join in on one of our amateur radio nets every Monday evening, 7:30pm at 442.825, 103.5. Visitors are always welcome. All licensed Hams are encouraged to visit the NET, test your equipment, and be better prepared.

For those of you considering becoming a Ham, have questions about licensing and getting on the air, or questions about how the Shoreline ACS can support your organization or for general information, please contact: Shorelineacs@gmail.com

As members of ACS we are here to assist by keeping our neighbors and the Shoreline community connected. If you want to “Just be there” for your community, when the community needs you most, we can help by showing you the way!

Marc, K9PET




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Free Community Emergency Response Team training opportunity

Thursday, February 18, 2021

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is an organization of volunteer emergency workers who have received specific training in basic disaster-response skills, with the intent of supplementing existing emergency responders in the event of a major disaster; or, to utilize their skills to assist family members and neighbors.

Following a major disaster, local fire, police, city, and other first responders may not be able to meet the demand for their services. Residents of our community, and visitors, may need to rely on each other for help meeting their immediate life-sustaining needs.

The Northshore Emergency Management Coalition (NEMCo) CERT program will educate participants about local hazards and basic disaster preparedness, and provide hands-on training that includes fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. 

After completing the CERT academy, volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in additional drills and exercises to keep their skills sharp and continue to enhance their knowledge and abilities.

What to expect at the hybrid CERT class

Usually, CERT is taught in person for three-hour sessions spread out over eight weeks, ending with a large, in-person disaster simulation. 

With current COVID restrictions, training has been adapted to a hybrid online/in-person approach: a two-hour online course for eight weeks, plus a single one-day in-person three-hour hands-on skill session. 

Graduates of the class will have the opportunity to participate in a disaster simulation at a later date. The hands-on portion of the class is not a requirement of completion, but it does enhance the training dramatically.

Classes begin online Monday, March 8, 2021 from 6:30 – 8:30pm, and will continue each Monday for eight weeks. The in-person hands-on training day is on Saturday, April 24, from 9:00am to noon, at Northshore Fire Station 51 in Kenmore. 

There is no fee for this class; however, it will fill up quickly so please register soon.

For registration and other information, check out the CERT website.

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact NEMCo Emergency Manager Carl Lunak, at 425-354-1744, or by email. The registration form is available here.



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Free Emergency Preparedness workshop

Sunday, November 1, 2020


FREE Emergency Preparedness Workshop
November 5 and 7, 2020
 
If you want to know how to create the best emergency kit for your home, have hands-on training with a fire extinguisher and learn how to locate and properly shut off your utilities, then this FREE class is for you. For more information or to register, contact Carl Lunak: 425-354-1744



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