New Web Site Launched to help Seattleites Prepare for Emergencies

Personal preparedness is now just a mouse click away

SEATTLE – With the memory of power outages, flooding, snow and ice still fresh in the minds of Seattleites, the City today launched a newly revamped web site for emergency preparedness. The site, administered by the office of Emergency Management makes it easier for Seattle residents to find out what they can do to prepare for an emergency. It also allows visitors to access the City’s Disaster Readiness and Response Plan.

One link on the home page titled, “How do I...” leads visitors to a page with a long list of answers to how to prepare for earthquakes, fires, windstorms, volcanoes, and the list goes on. The site also has a link allowing visitors to send an email with a unique question or issue not discussed on the site. Another section lists the schedule for preparedness classes. The goal of this site is to make it as easy as possible for people to plan and prepare for any type of emergency.

In addition to sections on personal preparedness, the site also contains information on what communities can do to become prepared, as well as what the government’s role is before, during and after a disaster. As an example, information about the new Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare (SNAP) program is highlighted as a means to help neighborhoods plan.

“Being ready for an emergency is everyone’s responsibility,” said Mayor Greg Nickels. “It is my sincere hope that every Seattleite takes it upon themselves to use this site to become personally prepared, and to prepare their families and their place of work. Only by preparing together can we achieve the goal of being the most prepared city in the nation.”

The site will be updated on a regular basis with new sections to be added in the future, including information specific to businesses. The information contained in the site links to other city sites such as Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Seattle City Light listing more detailed information on emergency issues such as flooding, driving on snow an ice and power outages. Links to state and federal agencies are also included.

To find out more about the site visit www.seattle.gov/emergency.