Emergency Preparedness

A group of neighbors has begun meeting and organizing activities around emergency preparedness in our neighborhood. An initial meeting was held on July 23, 2025. Seventeen neighbors attended, and another nine neighbors expressed interest but were unable to attend. This is a summary of that meeting.

Participants handed in forms listing skills and equipment they could make available during a crisis. The meeting organizers will collate these to get an overall picture of the capabilities in our neighborhood, and where we might need to fill in some blanks.

Topics discussed included: 

• Fires, earthquakes, and other emergencies
• Putting together “to-go” bags of items needed in an evacuation
• How to keep personal information in a “to-go” bag safe 
• Issues with ensuring adequate supplies of water
• Assistance to neighbors who may not be as prepared during an emergency

The group also discussed using the common area space as a gathering place for a crisis. Attendees agreed this was a good idea. The group considered using the shed as storage for first aid, water, and other supplies, but this discussion was tabled for a future meeting. The group plans to develop a detailed proposal for use of the shed that can be submitted to the HOA Board.

Two teams were formed, Communication and Personal Preparedness. 

The goal of the Communication Team is to review options for communication before, during and after a crisis. Our HOA web site can be used as one source of information, although it is not likely to be available during an emergency. We will try to post the monthly Preparedness Guide published by Clallam County Emergency Management on the site, and will look into sending out text notifications when there is new information available. 

The goal of the Personal Preparedness Team is to review recommendations for to-go bags and make suggestions as to quality and where to purchase.

Additional teams may be formed in the future to address other areas.

It was suggested that residents who live alone may want to form a coalition to help each other.

All agreed that we should meet quarterly.

A neighbor volunteered to make a text group that would be solely used for sending important preparedness information. Everyone present gave consent to be included in the text group.

The meeting adjourned at 3:30.