Who depends on YOU in an emergency?

We encourage you to prepare for potential emergencies and disasters so you can reduce suffering by your loved ones. While there are many local organizations actively preparing to assist us; they can be overwhelmed by large incidents and may not be able to respond quickly enough.

Information is included on this website on potential risks along with methods to prepare so that we can take care of ourselves, our loved ones and our businesses until help arrives.

You will find a multitude of links to the many involved organizations. Please check out the Volunteer Opportunities page where you can find many opportunities to learn more while you assist others in need.

We have recently updated our brochure on Preparedness and Involvement in both disaster preparedness and crime prevention. This is a large file but the brochure and is also available at many COPS andSCOPE stations along with public libraries and city halls in Spokane County.

Wiki launches Accessibility Toolkit to empower people with disabilities to use social media to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. Click here for more information.

Disease Transmission Prevention. To protect ourselves and others from diseases, such as pertussis, flu and colds, we all need to practice better hand and respiratory hygiene. Please see the information that has been extracted from other organizations on hand washing techniques and respiratory safety.

Spokane County has implemented an emergency community warning system, Alert Spokane, that is able to send emergency messages via telephone, cellular phone, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or email to residents and businesses located within Spokane County. This system may be used by emergency response personnel to notify specific homes and businesses at risk with specific information about an emergency event. You will only be called when the associated address will be impacted by an emergency. Please click here to go to the AlertSpokane site for more information and to register your cell and VOIP phones.

Do you have questions about what type of mask may help you from contracting the pandemic flu or other airborne viruses? Please see this article for some valuable information.

Smoke Alarms
There are many different brands of smoke alarms available on the market but they fall under two basic types: 1) Ionization alarms which sound more quickly when a flaming, fast moving fire occurs and 2) Photoelectric alarms which are quicker at sensing smoldering, smoky fires. There are also combination smoke alarms that combine ionization and photoelectric into one unit, called dual sensor smoke alarms.
The USFA recommends the installation of both ionization and photoelectric or dual sensor smoke alarms. Most alarms have a life span of about 8-10 years after which the entire unit must be replaced. It is a good idea to write the date of purchase with a marker on the inside of your alarm so you will know when to replace it. CAUTION: the "test" button only tests the battery - it does not indicate that the sensor is no longer good.
For more information see: www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/alarms/

In line with our promoting citizen involvement in organizations such as SCOPE, CERT, COPS, HEART, etc. we also promote citizens using radios for emergency communications. When phones (cell and landline) are down, radio equipment is the most effective way to send and receive important messages. Citizens with inexpensive short-range FRS and CB radios can effectively team up with amateur (ham) operators with their greater range and capabilities to seek assistance for their families and neighborhoods. Please read this article produced by World Net Daily and check out the National SOS Radio Network site promoting citizens and ham operators working together.

(Icons and links included on web site do not represent endorsement by or of associated organizations.)