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Washington, especially the Puget Sound basin, has a history of frequent earthquakes. More than 1,000 earthquakes occur in the state each year. A dozen or more are strong enough that people feel ground shaking. The state experienced at least 20 damaging earthquake events in the last 125 years. What You Can Do to Prepare The Earthquake Country Alliance recommends taking these four steps to be prepared in the event of an earthquake: Step 1: Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items. Step 2: Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency. Step 3: Organize disaster supplies in convenient locations. Step 4: Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and considering insurance. During an Earthquake When an earthquake strikes, most injuries occur from falling or flying objects. The best way to protect yourself is to follow the steps of Drop, Cover, and Hold on! Drop: Get down on to your hands and knees. This lowers your center of gravity and makes it much harder for the earthquake shaking to knock you over. It also makes you smaller, so you’re less likely to be hit by falling debris. If you need to move to a safer location, stay low, and crawl on your hands and knees. Cover: Take Cover under something sturdy, like a desk or table if one is available. Cover your head and neck with one hand. If something like a hardcover book is nearby, you can also cover your head and neck with that. Hold On: Hold on in that position, and hold on to your cover, so it doesn’t shake away from you. Earthquake shaking may last from seconds, to several minutes for the largest earthquakes. Make sure you’re protecting yourself the whole time. What you will specifically do depends on where you are and what you’re doing but these general guidelines of Drop, Cover, and Hold on can really help. After an Earthquake Wear Study Shoes To avoid injury from broken glass and debris. Expect aftershocks Check for Injuries If a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound, use clean gauze or cloth if available If a person is not breathing administer CPR DO NOT attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in further danger of injury COVER injured persons with blankets to keep warm SEEK medical help for serious injuries Check for Hazards Fire hazards--put out fires in your home or neighborhood immediately, call for help Gas leaks--shut off main gas valve ONLY if you suspect a leak because of broken pipes or odor Damaged electrical wiring--Shut off power at the control box if there is any danger to house wiring Downed or damaged utility lines--do not touch downed power lines or any objects in contact with them SPILLS--clean up any spilled medicines, drugs, or other harmful materials such as bleach, lye, gas DOWNED OR DAMAGED CHIMNEYS--Approach with caution--don't use damaged chimney (it could start a fire or let poisonous gases into your house) FALLEN ITEMS--beware of items tumbling off shelves when you open doors of closets and cupboards CHECK FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES--Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass If power is off, plan meals to use up foods that will spoil quickly or frozen foods (food in the freezer should be good for at least a couple of days) Don't light your kitchen stove if you suspect a gas leak USE BBQ or camp stoves, outdoors only for emergency cooking If your water is off you can drink supplies from water heaters, melted ice cubes or canned vegetables (AVOID drinking water from swimming pools or especially spas--it may have too many chemicals in it to be safe) For more information visit SHAKEOUT.ORG

Your pets are important members of your family and just like people, they need emergency plans. Leash, harness, collar and appropriate identification tags. Animals can often get frightened and bolt during emergencies, so make sure that your pet always has a secure collar with the appropriate identification attached. Don’t forget to have your pets’ carrier(s) ready and available. Have your pet microchipped. Make sure to keep your address and phone number up-to-date and include contact information for an emergency contact outside of your immediate area. Contact your local emergency management office, animal shelter or animal control office to get additional advice and information if you’re unsure how to care for your pet in case of an emergency. Create an emergency kit for your pets. Just as you do with your family’s emergency supply kit, think first about the basics for survival, such as food and water. Review your kits regularly to ensure that their contents, especially foods and medicines, are fresh. Other Steps You Can Take 1. Get a Rescue Alert Sticker This easy-to-use sticker will let people know that pets are inside your home. Make sure it is visible to rescue workers (by placing it on or near your front door), and that it includes the types and number of pets in your home. If you must evacuate with your pets, and if time allows, write “EVACUATED” across the stickers. These can be ordered free-of-charge from the ASPCA by filling out an order form at aspca.org or may be found for sale at pet supply stores. 2. Arrange a Safe Haven Arrange a safe haven for your pets in the event of evacuation. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE - DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND. Remember, if it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for your pets. They may become trapped or escape and be exposed to numerous life-threatening hazards. It is imperative that you have determined where you will bring your pets ahead of time. Consider keeping this list of contacts stored in your phone as well as printed or stored on a USB drive and kept in your prep kit. · Contact your veterinarian for a list of preferred boarding kennels and facilities. · Ask your local animal shelter if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets. · Identify hotels or motels outside of your immediate area that accept pets. · Ask friends and relatives outside your immediate area if they would be willing to take in your pet. 3. Choose Designated Caregivers When choosing a temporary caregiver, consider someone who lives close to your residence. They should be someone who is generally home during the day while you are at work or has easy access to your home. A set of keys should be given to this trusted individual. This may work well with neighbors who have pets of their own—you may even swap responsibilities, depending upon who has accessibility. Remember, your pets can't prep, but you can! More information about emergency pet preparedness can be found at the following websites: mil.wa.gov, ready.gov, aspca.org.

You may have seen these reflective blue markers while driving around the island or even in your own neighborhood. Did you know that these address signs are provided by your local firefighters? Many island homes are difficult to locate due to missing house numbers or addresses that are not visible, especially at night. In addition, some homes are located on shared or lengthy private drives that lack directional signage. In an emergency, this may cause significant delays in response time or result in fire apparatus getting stuck in the wrong location, with insufficient turnaround area for emergency vehicles. Here’s how you can help: We recommend island residents install a highly visible and reflective address marker, to make it easier to find your location. The fire station offers standardized reflective house number signs that are 6” x 18” blue panels with 3” white reflective numbers, with or without a metal post, and the signs can be in horizontal or vertical format. To get one of these attractive signs, you can: 1) Contact us during regular business hours, at (253) 884-4040. 2) Come into the fire station (12207 Lake Josephine Blvd.) to obtain an order form, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except for the noon lunch hour. 3) Print the order form by visiting the Services page on ANDERSONISLANDFIRE.ORG. We provide these address markers to community residents for island homes. Donations to defray the cost of materials are suggested at $20 for the sign alone, or $25 to have a vertical sign pre-mounted on a metal post (cash or checks made out to AIFA are accepted). Please note on the form whether you would like a vertical or horizontal sign and if you would like us to install it for you.

In a disaster, plan and prepare to be on your own for at least 2 weeks. Why is being "2 Weeks Ready" important? • Takes pressure off first responders so they can triage effectively and attend to life-threatening situations. • Ensures you and your family can survive if no one can reach you with help or supplies. • Encourages neighbors to care for one another, along with other vulnerable populations. Are you and your family prepared to survive an earthquake or other disaster? Do you have enough supplies to last you at least two weeks in the event of an extended emergency? If you answered no to either of those questions, there are several easy and affordable things you can do to get better prepared in case disaster strikes. In the event of an emergency, you will want to be ready with all necessary provisions. With the right supplies, you will be able to react quickly and efficiently and be better able to care for your family. Click the link below to view a recommended supply list and other tips to be 2 Weeks Ready! More information can be found at www.mil.wa.gov/preparedness and ready.gov.