Emergency Preparedness

In our part of the country, it's not "if" we have an earthquake, it's "when."

Flooding can cause problems that last long after the water recedes. Could your home or business be affected?

Winters are often mild here in the Pacific Northwest, and sometimes people are caught by surprise when snow and ice come.

Tornados and other high winds

Few people associate our part of the country with tornados or hurricanes, but they can happen here.

Volcanic Eruption

Volcanic ash fallout can cause health problems and make transportation difficult.

Volunteer

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

Using the training learned in the classroom and during execersies, CERT members can assist other in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediatly available to help.

CERT members are also encouraged to support emergency repsonse agencies by taking amore active role in emergency prepardness projects in our community.

For information regarding CERT, please contact Captain Bob Smith, Vancouver Fire Department, 360-487-7211.

In a disaster, your most immediate source of help are the neighbors living around you. In this program you will:

1. Learn the first 9 steps to take immediately following disaster to secure your home and to protect your neighborhood.

2. Identify the skills and equipment each neighbor has that are useful in an effective disaster response.

3. Create a neighborhood map showing the locations of: each natural gas meter and propane tank; and each neighbor who may be more than usually vulnerable to injury or trauma.

Knowing what to do in the first hours of a disaster repsonse may help you save a life, reduce the severity of possible injuries, and reduce the amount of damage the neighborhood sustains.

For more information or Map Your Neighborhood supplies, contact Office of Neighborhoods at (360)487-8608 judi.bailey@ci.vancouver.wa.us

Official website of the
City of Vancouver, Washington

Office of Emergency Management