Neighborhoods that are prepared for emergencies and disaster situations save lives, reduce the severity of injuries and trauma, and reduce property damage. In addition, contributing as an individual and working together as a team helps develop stronger communities and improve the quality of life in the community.

The City of Kirkland Office of Emergency Management is hosting a regional emergency preparedness seminar, free to the public on from 7-8:30 p.m., on Nov. 14, at the Inglewood Presbyterian Church, located at 7718 Northeast 141st Street in Kirkland.

Through the program titled “Map Your Neighborhood”, residents and their neighbors will be guided through simple steps that will help them quickly and safely take actions that can minimize damage and protect lives. It is designed to improve disaster readiness at the neighborhood level and teaches neighbors to rely on each other during the hours or days before fire, medical, police or utility responders arrive. During this 90 minute workshop, residents will learn:

• The “9 Steps to Take Immediately Following a Disaster” to secure one’s home and to care for their neighbors together.
• To identify the skills and equipment each neighbor has.
• To create a Neighborhood Map identifying the locations of natural gas and propane tanks for quick response if needed.
• To create a Contact List that helps identify those with specific needs such as elderly, disabled, or children who may be home alone during certain hours of the day.
• To work together as a team to evaluate one’s neighborhood during the first hour following a disaster and take the necessary actions.

Although this is a free event, RSVP’s are required.

To learn more about this event, visit their website. For more information, contact the event organizer Pattijean Hooper, City of Kirkland Emergency Manager, at (425) 587-3630, or pjhooper@kirklandwa.gov.