INSIDE

New blood sought for PREP

The Point Roberts Emergency Preparedness group (PREP) is looking for some new blood after the resignation of key members sent the program into hibernation.

“We need to catch PREP and stabilize it before it falls apart,” said Carol Tan at a December 6 meeting of a core group of PREP organizers. “We need to resuscitate it,” agreed Henry Rosenthal.

Tan said the group had now received official notice of the resignation of PREP founder Emily Smith and husband Reid, who have sold Whalen’s RV Park and relocated to Bellingham. Ron and Wendy Klages, also instrumental in organizing the effort to plan community response to an emergency, have also left the Point, Tan said. “These were some of our most instrumental people,” Tan stated.

Carol Tan said the group’s bank account held almost one thousand dollars raised towards acquiring a shelter, and the non-profit status was intact, but the PREP website was down, the email list incomplete and the community emergency plan remained in a rough draft form.

The first step in revitalizing the group would be to fill leadership roles, and a January 9 meeting at the community center was decided on to discuss the program’s direction and appoint leaders. “You may be able to get new people to step forward and take some of those leadership roles,” said fire chief Bill Skinner.

The recent storms could be a reminder for many of the need for a community organization like PREP, several members agreed. “Anytime we have that kind of thing we have people in need for lack of heat, transportation, power,” Skinner said, but he emphasized personal preparedness. “People need to take responsibility to a certain extent for their own needs,” he said, keeping flashlights, batteries, candles on hand, perhaps a backup telephone that doesn’t require power. “That’s where the PREP group’s educational role is so important,” said Michael Tan.

“One of the things we need is a coordinator,” said Wellness Clinic practitioner Virginia Lester. ”There are a lot of people who want to help and a lot who are vulnerable,” she said.
For more information on the PREP program or to participate, attend the January 9 meeting or call Tan at 945-0905.