Year in Review: Point Roberts Emergency Preparedness

Point Roberts residents wanting to prepare themselves for emergencies – earthquakes, wildfires, tsunamis, windstorms and other natural disasters – have been turning to Point Roberts Emergency Preparedness (PREP) for 20 years as a helpful, local source for information and education.

Collaboration is essential to PREP with Whatcom County Fire District 5 (WCFD5), Point Roberts Food Bank, Point Roberts Park & Recreation District, and Point Roberts Amateur Radio Club being key partners.

Building on a similar 2024 event, PREP welcomed local residents on May 7 to an informative workshop offering tips and guidance about the basics of emergency preparedness.

In cooperation with Whatcom Conservation District and WCFD5, on June 6, sixteen private owners had their properties assessed for wildfire risk, adding to the 50 properties evaluated in 2022.

Through the Disaster Aviation Response Team’s Thunder Run training exercise on June 7, through leadership provided by WCFD5 Assistant Chief Shields and PREP volunteers Ross Bradie and Oz Kienapfel, PREP received, by float plane, close to 500 pounds of donated food for the Point Roberts Food Bank.

PREP’s Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast – loved by all as a warm-up to the annual parade – served an even larger crowd than past years! Shout outs to Rhonda Granger of Senior’s Lunch for critical assistance with food ordering; Columbia Bank and Point Roberts Golf & Country Club for equipment loans; and, International Marketplace for food storage. This signature fundraising event happens through the generosity of dedicated volunteers, many of whom step up year after year. Copious thanks to Sara Oggel, Virginia Lester, Ross Bradie, Chris and Lynn Taylor, Kandy and Pat Harper, Margot Griffiths, Dave Lee, Harwant Singh, Len and Annette Hamm, Andy Mar, Karen Kilpatrick, Renate Menzel, Travis Robb, Melissa Ridgely, Bennett and Ramona Blaustein, Mark Robbins, and Oz Kienapfel.

With the valued contribution of Lynn Taylor, PREP launched its brand new, information-rich website at prepgroup.net. Sign up there to receive news and information about PREP happenings or check social media and the All Point Bulletin for announcements.

Questions are always welcome by email to prepgroup17@gmail.com.