THE EMERGENCY REPAREDNESS

FAIR AND BBQ

The Red Cross Came

Over the course of the summer of 2010, theMethow Valley Community Preparedness Committee (CPC) undertook a local campaign on neighborhood preparedness.

Smokey Bear Came TooThe purpose of this was to educate the community on the need to preparefor a short term disaster, and to identify Neighborhood Leaders that could be trained to organize their own neighborhoods using Emergency Management’s “Map Your Neighborhood” flip chart and guide.

Neighbors CameTo accomplish this, we had a valley-wide fair with a free BBQ, presentations by local First Responders and others, and door prizes.

When people came into the Community Center, they used a large map (divided into 64 geographic units) to locate their neighborhoods. Smaller, more detailed maps aided in identifing specific streets or roads.

Scott Miller of Okanogan County Emergency Management presented a Power Point Presentation describing the natural disasters faced in theMethow including wildland fires, extreme weather conditions, extended power outages, and floods. (Click here to see the Power PointFirst Responders Came  presentation.)

Ten First Responders and one local citizen made short presentations on what their organization’s responsibilities would be in an emergency and what local citizens should be prepared to do.Good Talks Given

During the Fair, people signed up to become “Neighborhood Leaders” and take the training offered by Okanogan County Emergency Management on implementing the “Map YourNeighborhood” flip chartMapping Their Neighborhoodand guide in their own communities. As well, others signed up to receive more information.

To read about the Fair's Outcome and see how to implement a fair and training, go to the outcome page. You can download much of the material found there.