Agencies to take part in earthquake & tsunami drill – What you can do too

“Cascadia Rising” is the name given an upcoming multistate major disaster response exercise involving federal, state and local governments as well as private organizations and ham radio operators throughout the Pacific Northwest. The goals of the exercise include training and testing preparation, coordination and communications capabilities during a major earthquake and tsunami.

The four-day exercise beginning June 7th will train and test government and private sector organizations to approach complex disaster operations as a joint team. The exercise scenario is the response to a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunamis. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),

A 9.0 magnitude earthquake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) and the resulting tsunami is the most complex disaster scenario that emergency management and public safety officials in the Pacific Northwest could face. Cascadia Rising is an exercise to address that disaster.

Emergency Operations and Coordination Centers (EOC/ECCs) at all levels of government and the private sector will activate to conduct a simulated field response operation within their jurisdictions and with neighboring communities, state EOCs, FEMA, and major military commands.

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On June 7th, according the schedule put out by the Whatcom Unified Emergency Management,

[Ferndale] City Staff will activate the Emergency Operations Center in the Ferndale Police Department as soon as the exercise begins that morning. Amateur radio volunteers with the Ferndale Auxiliary Communications Service will staff the EOC communications room from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., coordinating exercise communications between Ferndale participants and the WUECC amateur radio team.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF US?
The focus of this exercise is the collection and distribution of information about damage and response status within various agencies. Past exercises and experiences have shown broken roads and other obstacles can prevent responders from reaching impacted civilians for days. As a result, civilians and neighborhoods need to be equipped to act on their own to assess their status, set priorities and act while awaiting official responders.

The following are guides provided by different agencies from which to prepare yourself, your family, business and your neighborhood to prepare for and react to a disaster.

• Workplace Disaster Preparedness Training – If you are a business or non-profit agency, disaster preparedness training is critical to maintaining safety and ensuring everyone knows what to do in the event of a disaster or emergency. Provided by Red Cross.
• Community Disaster Education – If you have a group of ten or more people, the Red Cross will come to you and give a free preparedness presentation tailored specifically for your needs.
• Prepare in a Year Booklet (PDF) – To ensure your family is better prepared for the next disaster, complete the easy-to-do activities over the course of a year. Provided by Washington Emergency Management Division.
• Disaster supplies kits  – Be ready with a collection of basic items that members of a household may need in the event of a disaster. Prepare a Home Kit and a a Vehicle Kit to keep in your car. Provided by Washington Emergency Management Division.
• Disaster Preparedness Videos are provided by Washington Emergency Management Division.
• Organizing Community Emergency Hubs – This is a movement implemented in the Seattle area in recent years and is based on neighborhood volunteers.