Year in review: Point Roberts Emergency Preparedness

Point Roberts Emergency Preparedness (PREP) informs and educates residents on how to prepare themselves for emergencies – earthquakes, wildfires, tsunamis, windstorms and other natural disasters.

Achievements of note from 2024:

• Completing, under Lynn Taylor’s valued leadership, installation of a state-of-the-art tower at 2030 Benson Road to enable critical radio communications during community-level emergencies. The ongoing support of chief Christopher Carleton and assistant chief John Shields of WCFD5, services of Anthony Stephani, technical assistance of Oswald Kienapfel, and financial support of the Helen and Jose Colton Foundation are sincerely appreciated!
• Helping arrange for Certified Emergency Response Team (CERT) training delivered in April and May by Whatcom County’s Emergency Division. Eighteen individuals completed the hands-on curriculum and can now play a crucial support role to WCFD5 in the event of emergencies impacting the community.
• Welcoming local residents on May 7 to an informative workshop offering tips and guidance about the basics of emergency preparedness.
• Offering a logistics and communications training opportunity for twenty individuals – PREP and newly-trained CERT volunteers – through the Disaster Airlift Response Team Exercise on June 8 and 9 to receive, by float plane, hundreds of pounds of food for the food bank.

Various popular special events – Chili Cook-Off, July 4th Pancake Breakfast and the Joke Telling Contest – raised funds vital to meet PREP’s essential costs. Thanks to all who attended and to the many who tirelessly volunteered to create well-organized, fun and delicious events! Shout out to Judson Meraw for his chalk renderings to announce these events.

In 2025, PREP will shift from monthly meetings to offer occasional, themed educational workshops and other complementary activities for all those in Point Roberts interested in being prepared for emergencies.

To learn about PREP happenings, check for announcements on social media, the All Point Bulletin or email prepgroup17@gmail.com to join PREP’s contact list.