By Campbell McClusky
What constitutes an emergency? Emergency preparedness suggests something community wide. And yes, Point Roberts Emergency Preparedness (PREP) has been conceived to be a resource for our wider population, in concert with the full range of fire, health and other community entities.
Still, individual families experience emergencies; they may or may not be able to contact, otherwise reach or feel comfortable calling on friends or neighbors. Don’t despair; our wider community has become well equipped to listen, assess and provide resources even for small family crises as well as for such drama as wind storms, coastal high water, extended power outages, etc.
PREP recently passed out both emergency phone numbers and even non-emergency assistance contacts. Something every person living here could easily have on his or her person. Call 360/945-PREP (7737) for this helpful pocket-sized guide.
How many of you, I wonder, as you toy with your dry martini, have in your mind a list of steps to take if a float plane crashes in your yard or on your roof or if everything starts to shake and water mains break or books and dishes start cascading?
“Prepping” is not a dirty word: don’t shy away from making room, yes, even in the liquor cabinet or toy chest for some standard budget foods to carry you and maybe some of your less prepared neighbors through unanticipated damage, shortages, a basement flood, etc.
Planning for unexpected events is not a sin or weakness, however rare it is. Take stock of those in your immediate neighborhood, note who has resources that might be of assistance or provide relief to you or other neighbors; who has physical strength; who has special needs; who is calm, cool and collected versus those who panic easily, etc.
You can make your own list of needy neighbors or neighbors most likely to fend for themselves. Don’t be averse to discussing these kinds of considerations with neighbors, figuring out who might lean on you in an emergency or from whom you would be comfortable seeking help. Venture into the uncharted territory of thinking ahead.
What will you miss most if you’re away from your Point Roberts residence when destruction strikes: currency left behind, documents not otherwise stored or protected, artistic creations, unique collectables, texts not saved in the “cloud,” autographed books, family photos and histories, the lists go on. Make your own lists, if only to help you take protective actions before destruction or disaster.
Consider lifeboats such as safety deposit boxes, regular home “indestructible” safes, even underground vaults depending on your budget. Or simply leave treasures with relatives who live in less vulnerable locations. The old “rather safe than sorry” philosophy.
Want more pointers? Then come raise your concerns at the monthly PREP membership meetings; they are open to all.
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