A Village Preps

02/16/2025

Discussion of three levels of prep:
3 bad days: Acute Event / Evacuation
3 bad weeks: Sheltering In Place
3 awful months: Supporting Community Action
"For me, a lot of the practical stuff-acquiring part of resilience building is about quality of life. Being able to take care of my family and my community in an emergency, having more give in the system for when times get tough.
But being able to do those things isn't all about stuff. An aircraft hanger full of freeze dried food will not help you comfort a crying child, make dried foods not taste gross, or properly put on a tourniquet.
This video talks about my approach to building resilience inside and out, focusing on skills and attitudes as well as basic physical needs."

Source

This video is useful for putting a frame around your resilience prep. Folks have told me it helped them and I hope it helps you.For me, a lot of the practic...

10/03/2024

"Build your emergency supply kit over time. Start with items you may already have in your home, like a flashlight, extra batteries, copies of important documents, water and non-perishable food. When you go to the grocery store, you can pick up an extra item each time that you use regularly, especially if it’s on sale! Community food banks are a potential resource for food-insecure families to stock their emergency supply kits."
EDIT: **REQUEST Testing Testing 1 2 3: Please, will someone write a comment? Admin wants to know it's possible or blocked...

Disasters are costly but preparing for them doesn’t have to be. In fact, taking time to prepare now can help save you thousands of dollars and give you peace of mind when the next disaster or emergency occurs. Take these simple steps now to be better prepared for any disaster or emergency that hav...

09/09/2024

FYI Educational Resources available online free, to help kids of all ages learn about preparing for emergencies. Check out the list, download for free to explore and share with family and friends, even neighbors! :)
A quick screen grab as example, there's much more to explore here https://www.ready.gov/kids/kids-resource-library?combine=&field_audience_target_id=182470&field_audience_grade_level_target_id=All&field_programs_and_initiatives_target_id=All&field_resource_availability_target_id=All&field_resource_topics_target_id=All&field_language_target_id=All

06/16/2024

Youth Emergency Preparedness Curriculum, Free Online
Lesson #1 "Know Your Disasters!
Learning the Facts about Disasters
and Emergencies"
https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/ready_emergency-preparedness-curriculum-grades-6-8.pdf?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2xhhgKfyb6TzkdE5a2IeuJ6b3kEs7y2OPolpITdtoqeKY2nngF3lzC2xY_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

06/16/2024

New story booklet to help kids and families learn about preparing for and dealing with extreme heat events. In English or Spanish.
"This Prepare with Pedro Storybook follows Pedro as he navigates what to do before, during, and after an extreme heat event, empowering children from 5-8 years old be preparedness advocates for themselves, their families at home, and the communities they inhabit."
While Supply Lasts, in VV Laundry Room.
Also available in online versions
English:
https://pueblo.gpo.gov/Publications/pdfs/FA-P-2346.pdf
Espanol:
https://pueblo.gpo.gov/Publications/pdfs/FA-P-2347.pdf

01/10/2024

"Dear Educator, Welcome to FEMA’s Be a Hero curriculum, an empowering educational journey into emergency preparedness!
This standards-based, cross-curricular program is designed to provide students in grades 6 through 8 with the knowledge, awareness, and life-saving skills needed to prepare for a variety of emergencies and disasters.
By engaging in three project-based lessons, students will gain a personal and meaningful understanding of disaster preparedness by creating solutions for real-world hazards. All inquiry-based activities lead to important learning through independent and collaborative work, research, investigations,
discussions, and presentations.
By the final lesson, students will become “heroes” as they develop their own emergency preparedness campaign project. Using communication skills and creativity, they will generate awareness of emergency preparedness among friends, families, and the community at large.
Knowledge empowers! We hope this program will help you, your students, and their families feel prepared.
Sincerely, Your Friends at FEMA"

01/04/2024

FYI: FREE New Game kit Today @ Varsity Village in the laundry room to help families & neighbors learn about Emergency Preparedness.
Also putting out another supply of FREE decks of the card game Ready2Help. See more about the card game and download the game companion booklet here: https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessCommunity/s/ready-2-help?language=en_US

12/30/2023

"Prepare in a Year Guide (FREE online)
Being prepared for disasters may seem daunting or intimidating, but it’s actually simple and easy! This Prepare in a Year book will help walk you through 12 important steps for disaster preparedness. It’s as simple as completing one activity a month.
By the end of 12 months, you’ll be much better prepared! Remember that everything you do to be prepared will help you in small emergencies, like a flat tire on your car, as well as large disasters, like a volcano eruption. Think of disaster preparedness not as a checkbox, something to do once and never again, but rather a continual process of learning, restocking supplies, and encouraging others to be prepared.
This book is your first step—congratulations! You are now on your personal preparedness journey. Questions? Contact [email protected]
ONE HOUR of disaster preparedness activity EACH MONTH helps you be 2 WEEKS READY for disasters."
Source: https://mil.wa.gov/asset/5f171cc0a935f

12/29/2023

With the Ready 2 Help card game, kids have fun responding to examples of emergencies by working together and using skills that will help them in a real emerg...

12/29/2023

Ready 2 Help Card Game, for ages 8+
"With the Ready 2 Help card game, you can respond to examples of emergencies by working with your friends and using skills that will help you in a real emergency.
"Kids may experience the same emergency situations as adults. Ready 2 Help teaches 5 simple steps to stay safe and make a difference until help arrives:
Stay Safe, Stay Calm, Get Help, Give Info, Give Care"
Ready 2 Help Card Game Companion Book: https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessCommunity/s/ready-2-help?language=en_US
https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessCommunity/s/ready-2-help?language=en_US
Video instructions https://youtu.be/nt4gyxecADM

With the Ready 2 Help card game, kids have fun responding to examples of emergencies by working together and using skills that will help them in a real emerg...

12/29/2023

Here's a great local resource with all this and more:
"Preparedness Resources links https://www.whatcomcounty.us/4044/Emergency-Preparedness
Know your trusted weather and forecast sources:
National Weather Service, Seattle
Current watches, warnings, or advisories for Whatcom County: https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwaatmget.php?x=WAC073&y=1
The Weather Channel
University of Washington Department of Atmospheric Sciences
Environment Canada Public Weather Alerts
5-Day Nooksack River Forecast
10-Day Nooksack River Forecast - This site provides the best 10-day advanced river level forecast for rain events. https://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/rfc/
USGS Streamflow Data for Washington - Scroll down the list to find real-time streamflow data for the Whatcom Creek and Lake Whatcom Basin, Nooksack River Basin, and Sumas River Basin.
Preparedness Journey Video. Watch this video for tips on how to begin your Preparedness Journey.
Alerts: Sign up to receive local alerts and emergency notifications through AlertSense: https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/?RegionId=1189
Earthquake: See Ready.gov - Earthquake Preparedness site. Tips include: Practice Drop, Cover and Hold On. Make an Emergency Plan. Protect Your Home. More: https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes
Flood: See Ready.gov - Flood Preparedness site. Tips include: Know your risk for Floods, Purchase Flood Insurance, Prepare for a Flood. In Case of Emergency Plans.
Landslide: See Ready.gov - Landslide Preparedness site. Tips include: Build an emergency kit. Make a plan. Leave when told to evacuate. Consult a professional for advice on protective measures for your property. Protect your property based on recommendations from qualified geotechnical professionals, local city and county guidance. Consider building channels or walls to redirect mud and debris. Talk with your insurance agent if you are at risk. Sign up for community warning system AlertSense.
Tsunami: See the Department of Natural Resources Tsunami Preparedness site. Tips include: Know the warning signs of a Tsunami to know what to do. Evacuate immediately if you hear a Tsunami warning siren, feel a strong earthquake near a large body of water, notice a very large wave approaching or rapid rise in sea level, see coast waters recede, notice a landslide that falls into a large body of water.
Volcano: See the US Geological Survey - Volcano Preparedness site. Tips include: Learn about Volcano hazard zones and evacuation routes. Be ready to follow official guidance from local officials. Sign up for community warning system AlertSense. Make a safety plan and build an emergency kit. Review Are You Ready for An Eruption? information.
Wildfire: See the Ready.gov - Wildfire Preparedness site. Tips include: Recognize warnings and alerts. Sign up for the community warning system AlertSense. Make and emergency plan. Review important documents. Strengthen your home. Know evacuation routes. Gather supplies.
Additional Preparedness Resources: See the Washington State Emergency Management Division Preparedness site for an extensive list of preparedness publications, videos, activities, and more. "
https://www.whatcomcounty.us/4044/Emergency-Preparedness

Whatcom County is at risk for a variety of natural hazards, including: earthquake, coastal flooding, river flooding, landslides, liquefaction, tsunami, volcanic eruption and wildfire.  The first step in preparation for any of these disasters is awareness. Learn more about the natural hazards here i...