NOTICE TO FOX ISLAND RESIDENTS
THE FICRA BUILDING TRUST’S EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (the ‘TEAM’) IS UNDERWAY
Family self-sufficiency is the cornerstone of managing a major emergency and the development of the Emergency Response system will help our individual families prepare.
An EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TEAM, including our Citizen’s Patrol, has been created by the FICRA BUILDING TRUST to help ensure Fox Island residents can manage a significant emergency like a bridge closure, major earthquake, major storm and other such events.
Agencies that regularly serve Fox Island, such as the Fire Department and Peninsula Light already have plans on responding to an emergency – if and when they are able to get here. Our response system is designed to supplement their efforts.
Note that our response will be limited during the first 24-hour-plus period of an event. Our response will build up as we activate the teams within each neighborhood and staff the Nichols Community Center and communications system. Full system capability is anticipated within 72 hours. So you can see the importance of initial self-sufficiency.
Here are the elements of Fox Island’s Emergency Response:
-Neighborhood preparation: Your neighborhood will be organized in advance by a Block (neighborhood) Captain, with a backup, who will inventory all residents of that neighborhood to identify those with ability to help, those that will need assistance, and pets. Signage for your window (to be provided by the TEAM) can be used to alert neighbors of your situation (NEED HELP, WE’RE OK, etc.). Your neighborhood leaders will provide literature on what supplies should be stored by you. First Aid and CPR training will be available through Pierce County Department of Emergency Management.
-Command Center: The Nichols Community Center (NCC) will house our Communications Team and their equipment (supported by our new emergency generator) which will network throughout the island with volunteer HAM operators and other communication tools. We are working to include a Triage Center at the NCC and to have several egress options around the island for medical evacuation. Transport to the NCC would be assisted by our Citizens Patrol.
-Emergency Shelter: The two churches, Alliance Church and United Church of Christ, will provide shelter – level to be determined. The Red Cross has certified those locations and we are working on storing bedding and medical supplies.
-Evacuation: We are working with the Fox Island Yacht Club to be a part of the evacuation plan. Evacuation sites will be established and an inventory of independent boat owners will be compiled.
-School Children: The school systems are prepared to shelter kids for a short period of time with food and water. Beyond that period, we have not been able to determine any existing plans for children. Though the schools have parents sign a release for another family to care for their children in case the parents are unavailable to do so, if the back-up family is on Fox Island, a second off-island back-up family should be identified and have release papers to ensure children’s safety. We understand the schools are developing updated release forms that will address that. We’re working with the Yacht Club on setting up a pickup location in Gig Harbor to eventually get the children home.
-Citizen’s Patrol: In addition to providing transport to NCC, the Patrol will be equipped with communications equipment to stay in touch with the NCC communication system.
The above plan is a work-in-progress. Over the next several months the Plan will be updated and republished. In addition to the ongoing FICRA FLASH newsletter articles, plan updates will be available to Fox Island residents attending the 2015 FICRA FAIR at the FICRA Building Trust Emergency Planning booth. That will be a good time to consider donating to the Trust Emergency Preparation to cover startup expenses.
Go to ficra.org to keep abreast of developments on Emergency Response Plan. We will be improving that web site to make monitoring of Emergency Planning easier.
We need volunteers for block (neighborhood) captains, in particular. Let our neighborhood coordinator, Bob Bowser (aeallc@comcast.net) know if you are interested in helping.
Jim Braden, President, FICRA Building Trust (jandcbraden@aol.com)
Ray Kittelberger, Coordinator, Emergency Planning Committee