GREEN LAKE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Are We Ready for a Disaster?
by Paul Kostek

In a sudden emergency, the first and immediate problem is communication. Imagine all our usual ways of communication down, and transportation disrupted. No radio, TV, telephone, (even cell phone) - no way at all to know whether family is safe or what the extent of an emergency might be. Green Lake Community Council is cooperating with other local communities to develop a plan.

Emergency Preparedness activities began in Green Lake in 2010 as part of a city wide initiative to help communities prepare and sustain after an earthquake or other type of emergency.

Information Hubs in Four Locations

If an emergency were to hit and utilities (power, phone, water) were lost, information hubs would be opened at 4 Green Lake locations - Bagley School on 80th, Green Lake Park by the GL Community Center and joint with Wallingford at Lower Woodland Park and at MacDonald Elementary school. These hubs would be staffed by community volunteers with GMRS radios to communicate with the City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

The volunteers would be able to communicate needs for emergency assistance and provide status on power, water, and transportation (bridges, metro). The expectation is emergency resources (police and fire) would be allocated to the areas the most in need and we as a community would have to sustain ourselves for possibly days. The planning activities that are underway will help bring volunteers together for the hubs and also establish links with local schools and businesses to share resources.

Neighborhood Dry Run Held

A dry-run was held in early 2011 with a hub opened at the Green Lake Community Center. We were able to establish radio communications with the Good Shepard Center in Wallingford where Ham Radio operators were able to relay messages.

As we enter 2012 we will be bringing a website (www.readyseattle.org) on-line for all of the communities north of the ship canal (Fremont, Wallingford, Green Lake, Ravenna-Bryant, Phinney Ridge). We'll be posting emergency contact information and links to the City's site. We will also be participating in City wide drills to test our readiness. We also have a tri-fold flyer available.

For individuals and streets that would like to prepare their own plans check out 3 days 3 ways at www.govlink.org/3days3ways. If you would like to be involved with the planning activities contact Paul Kostek at: pkostek@aol.com or 206-915-6645.

NEWS FLASH!

Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse gets new seats and new roof! Seats dating from 1929 were removed, and new ones installed in the fall. Work on the roof is scheduled to start early this year. Join us at the Bathhouse Theater and see why Seattle Public Theater has all the great patrons and supporters like you! Sit in our brand-new seats and see a great show! Check out the current productions and 2012 offerings on the website!

METRO WANTS TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT PLANNED RAPIDRIDE ELINE ROUTING OPTIONS

As you may already know, RapidRide service will be connecting Shoreline to downtown Seattle when the E line starts rolling in 2013. Metro wants your opinion now on proposed routing options and stop spacing.

The E Line will travel along Aurora Avenue N between Shoreline and Seattle, replacing Route 358. Metro is considering two alternative paths in the Green Lake area between N 64th Street and Winona Avenue N. Metro is also looking for comments about overall route design.

The on-line survey can be found at Have a Say on the king County website. It will be available through February 17, 2012.

Questions? Call 206-263-9768 or email haveasay@kingcounty.govSee details, a map, a link to the online survey, and more ways to comment on Metro's website: E Line.

NW/N 85TH STREET ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Phase 1 of the massive project has begun and is moving forward apace from 15th Ave NW (Has reached 8th Ave NW so far). Eastbound detours were implemented to NW 80th St. as of Jan 6.

As crews work their way East to eventual completion at I-5, residents, businesses and commuters can expect noise, traffic re-routing and weekend work hours. For more information you can:

* If you have problems opening the News or Notes in PDF format, you can get the updated Adobe
Reader free from Adobe.com. Click here to download and install the reader.

About Us | Email Us | News & Notes | Links
©2012 Green Lake Community Council

Updated February 8, 2012