The Puget Sound area is prone to a number of situations -- earthquakes, severe storms -- that make emergency preparedness not just a good idea, but also a vital one. There is a wealth of resources available to help you and your family become more prepared to deal with unexpected events (see links at right). Experts recommend for you to be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for at least 72 hours without outside assistance.

The City of Shoreline has its own emergency preparedness plan with the Emergency Operations Coordinator, reporting to the Shoreline Police Chief, coordinating this work effort. Working in conjunction with all City departments, the Shoreline Fire Department, utility providers, the Shoreline School District and other local agencies, the City of Shoreline is committed to being prepared in the event of an emergency.  The City has an Emergency Management Council that meets monthly.  This committee is made up of our community partners and citizens to give guidance on our preparation and mitigation efforts.

You help by being prepared
Preparing yourself and your family for an emergency is the best way you can help your community when disaster strikes. Resources during that time are stretched to the limits and the more you can take care of yourself and those around you, the better chance you will have of keeping a bad situation from turning worse.

• Have an emergency response kit at home that will help sustain your family for 72 hours. You can find out what to have in this kit by going to the Preparedness links to the right or have information sent to you by calling the Emergency Management Coordinator, (206) 546-7873.
• Take a First Aid/CPR Class, have functional Fire Extinguishers, Smoke Detectors and Weather Radios in your home.
• Have a bag in your vehicle with emergency clothing, first aid kit, flashlight, AM/FM Weather Radio (they are backed up by batteries), water, and non-perishable food.
• Have a bag at your work place with the same, if your employer doesn’t have provisions.
• Have a Family Plan to ensure you communicate your safety status.  Try to plan this to minimize using phone and cell phones. Email and calls to out of state relatives often work the best.
• Join or start a Neighborhood Watch Program through the Police Department.  These programs now also address emergency preparedness and Homeland Security issues.
• Take Community Education Response Training (CERT) co-hosted by the City of Shoreline and the Shoreline Fire Department.  Be prepared to help your neighborhood or work place in the event of an emergency. Call the Emergency Management Coordinator, (206) 546-7873 or the Shoreline Fire Department Public Education Officer at (206) 533-6564

In the Event of an Emergency:

• Listen to your radio.  If you have a Weather Radio, it is backed up with batteries. The Weather Radio is now broadcasting significant public awareness events besides the weather, like Amber Alerts.
• If the TV is working and the event is significant to the City of Shoreline, the City will broadcast information on its Government Access Cable Channel 21 and this Web site if possible.
• Learn what it means to Shelter in Place, and be prepared to do so if requested. (You can find out how to do this by looking on the Preparedness links to the right or have information sent to you by calling the Emergency Management Coordinator, (206) 546-7873.
• Activate your family plan and ensure their safety.  Do NOT go to your children’s school until directed to do so, as they have a plan in place to keep your children safe.  Roadways, like phone lines, need to be kept clear.
• If you belong to a Neighborhood Watch, activate your plan to check on each other, neighborhood hazards and those in our community that are more vulnerable and may need assistance, i.e. handicapped, senior citizens and those who do not speak English.