09/07/2008

Two of the most important building blocks of disaster preparedness are individual/family preparedness and neighborhood preparedness. Because of this, they have a very significant impact on everything else that happens in the disaster response chain.

Individual/family preparedness on Vashon involves making a plan, having up to 10 days supply of food and water, medical supplies, etc. for each member of a family or household. These, if no injury or damage is experienced during a disaster will enable the individuals or family to ýhunker downý until normal services can be restored and permit Vashonýs limited responders to focus on the most critical needs of the Island.

Neighborhood preparedness on Vashon revolves around simple independent and informal groups called ýNeighborhood Emergency Response Organizations (NEROs). Members of these groups simply do what people normally do during emergencies or disasters ýtake care of themselves, help their neighbors where possible and, depending on the magnitude of the emergency or disaster, assist in neighborhood damage assessment and report the status of the neighborhood to pre-designated locations.

Vashon is subject to a variety of potential disasters, natural and man-made, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, wild fires, wind, snow and rain storms, hazardous material spills, terrorism, etc. Inasmuch as the island is totally dependent on an effectively functioning ferry system, we are extremely vulnerable should a disaster drastically curtail or shut down ferry service. Hence there is a greater need for preparation on Vashon than for comparable communities on the mainland Vashon currently has 115 NEROs formed, forming or committed. In the event of a region wide disaster that also impacts Vashon, these NEROs, which average approximately 12-15 households each, will cover approximately 23% of Vashonýs householdsýnot nearly enough to facilitate efficient use of Vashonýs scarce disaster response resources.

Ideally, each NERO has three neighborhood designated coordinators-- a primary and two alternates. This ensures at least one coordinator will be available should a disaster occur when one is off island and should the third coordinator need help due to injury or property damage . NERO coordinators conduct pre-disaster neighborhood surveys to identify potential problem areas such as individuals who have special needs due to infirmities, or who require oxygen, critical medications, medical devices requiring electricity, etc. The surveys also identify individuals who have skills which could be helpful under emergency circumstances and locally available resources such as generators, chain saws, tractors, tools, tents, etc. that could be used to mitigate the impact of a disaster

In addition to the survey, each NERO household is asked to check on two pre-designated neighborsýso the status of every household and individual in the neighborhood can be quickly determined in the aftermath of a disaster. NEROs will also survey roads, utilities, etc. in their vicinity. Thus by aggregating information about injuries or damage, or the lack of these and reporting that information to the nearest VIFR sub-stations or the Vashon Emergency Operations Center using a specific report form, NEROs facilitate the timely and effective use of Vashonýs limited disaster response resources.

While not directly related to emergency/disaster response, formation of NEROs also facilitates the development of community spirit as neighborhood residents meet and get to know each other, something that should routinely occur but which, unfortunately, all too frequently does not happen.

Do you have a NERO in your neighborhood? If not shouldnýt you help form one? For more information, call Joe Ulatoski at 463-1321 or e-mail him at jbigranger@centurytel.net.