Prepare Because You Care

Valentine's Day reminds us of romantic love, yet culturally we extend this holiday celebration to include others whom we care about, such as friends and extended family,

An excellent way to communicate how you truly care is spending time with those most important to you by building a strong emergency communication plan in the event of disasters. Another way to show you care is to take time to build a full emergency plan.

Plans include how to get accurate information, evacuation routes, where to meet up if your loved ones are separated with work and school.

Red Cross has a great template to fill out that will accomplish the goals listed above, plus more planning ideas!

Celebrate your planning time with those you care about!

What emergency kit item can I hide in a box of candy??? Hmmmm...

Communication Plans and Technology

FACEBOOK Safety Check is a tool to communicate, after a disaster, with those important to you.
How does this work?

If it looks like you may be near a major crisis, FB will ask if you're safe.
If you're OK, click or tap the "I'm Safe" button to let friends and loved ones know right away.

FB will let you know when friends say they're safe. You can also check a list of friends who may be affected by the disaster.

This has been used recently in the 2016 Nepal earthquake.
https://www.facebook.com/about/safetycheck/

There are many APPS available to let loved ones know of your location. Use the ones that work for you, and make sure that everyone knows how to use the technology.

Always have a method to charge your phone and have a paper backup with numbers for calling and texting.

The Federal Communication Commission has advice for communicating during a disaster. HERE

Want to do preparedness with your young children or grandchildren?

Sesame Street has some great videos that are age appropriate for children. This gives you a unique opportunity to help them learn about emergencies in a calm and reasuring environment.

Printable materials
http://www.sesamestreet.org/toolkits/ready
and videos: Fun videos

PREPAREDNESS ACADEMY 2017

Find information on the 2017 Preparedness Academy on our website, select HERE.

Psychological First Aid: People's reactions to crisis vary. Learn which reactions are beneficial and how some are actually harmful. Take away some important tools you can use to connect with affected people and provide immediate emotional support following an emergency.

Instructor Washington Community Chaplain Corps

Date & Time: Feb. 2, Bonney Lake Council Chambers

March 8, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Gig Harbor -3510 Grandview St
Room - Council Chambers

To register: http://piercecounty.surveyshare.com/s/AYAMWDA

IS 100/700/200 Combination Class: Take these ICS courses in one day in a classroom setting. They are part of the requirements to obtain your WA State Emergency Worker card. Minimum of 10 participants needed.

Instructor: DEM Trainers
Date & Time: March 7, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Pierce County ECC, 2501 S. 35th St., Tacoma, WA 98023

To register: http://piercecounty.surveyshare.com/s/AYACGXA

Clearly Speaking—Family Service Radios for effective neighborhood communications   Understand the basics of using radio communications in a disaster and get hands-on practice with others in the group. This is a great way to get comfortable using the “walkie-talkie” style of communication in a disaster.

Instructor: Community Volunteers
Date & Time: Feb 21, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Buckley - Fire Station

To register:      http://piercecounty.surveyshare.com/s/AYAMW6B

Disaster First Aid/Triage: Learn skills and get hands-on experience about how to perform immediate triage and use disaster first aid following an event. A First Aid Certificate is awarded, no CPR unless indicated at registration. Recommend taking CPR before this class. All classes are on Saturday.

This course for PC NET, Citizen Corps, PEP-C, and Cert Team members

Instructors: East Pierce Fire and Rescue and Buckley Fire and Rescue
Date & Time: Feb. 25, Bonney Lake - East Pierce Fire Station
March date TBD Buckley - Buckley Fire Station

All classes at 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

To register: http://piercecounty.surveyshare.com/s/AYAKGIB

Citizen Corps Council of Pierce County - Meeting

Are you interested in volunteering?
More information at CCC-PC.

Meetings are held first Thursday every even-numbered month. Next meeting is:
April 6 2:30—4:30 p.m. Location Pierce County EOC 2501 South 35th St, Tacoma

What is PC-NET?

P ierce County Neighborhood Emergency Teams
(PC-NET ) provides neighbors with information and tools necessary to work together for an effective response following emergencies and disasters. Professional responders will not be available to assist your neighborhood after a major disaster—you become the first responder. If individuals and their neighbors are prepared to mutually assist one another, lives can be saved and property can be spared.

Like Us On Facebook

Pierce County Department of Emergency Management regularly posts education information on our FaceBook. Please like us, share the information with your friends and networks.

Contact Us
Phone: 253-798-6595

Email: pcdemOUTREACH@co.pierce.wa.us