News & Stories

October 13, 2018, was a beautiful autumn day in Brookings, Oregon; not too hot, and not too cold. It was the perfect day for families to come out to Kalmiospsis Elementary School to learn about emergency preparedness. They were greeted with displayed fire trucks and disaster response vehicles, prizes to start an emergency kit, and friendly faces with lots of relevant, kid-oriented information on preparing for an emergency.

The geographic location of Brookings, Oregon on the Southern Oregon Coast, places it at the center of a number of possible emergencies and natural disasters: wildfires, flooding, winter storms, earthquakes, and tsunamis, to name a few. This begs the question, how does our community prepare for these threats, and how especially do we prepare our children?

That was the question that the first Family Emergency Preparedness Fair in Brookings sought to answer.

The event was organized by Wild Rivers Connect, Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Emergency Services, and Curry County Emergency Services. The four-hour long event included informational booths, children’s activities, speakers, and door prizes. Attendees learned about having an evacuation plan; how to prepare long-term food storage; how to build a family Go Pack; ways to develop outdoor skills; and how to be part of a community emergency response team (CERT).

The event also included an outdoor display of emergency vehicles for the kids (and their families) to check out up close, including fire trucks from Brookings AND Smith River Fire Departments, plus the local Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) and trailer.

An American Red Cross Disaster Relief vehicle on display at the event.

Focus on Family

The planning committee approached the event with a focus on family, children in particular. The impetus behind that was stories people had heard during the Chetco Bar Fire, stories where kids did not always know what was going on, or weren’t engaged or informed. The goal of the planning committee was to remove the fear factor and really give parents permission to talk to their kids about natural disasters, and give their kids permission to ask questions. Parents were encouraged to bring the kids so the entire family could learn about preparing for natural disasters together, in a fun and friendly environment. The committee was able to achieve their goal of attracting families. At least 125 people came to the event. Many of those were children.

Participants speak with organizations about disaster preparedness.

Speakers

Speakers from across the region presented on emergency preparedness topics during the day. Lori Dengler, considered a worldwide authority on tsunamis, earthquakes and hazard mitigation planning, presented on living in an area prone to earthquakes. Lynette McPherson from Brookings Harbor High School’s YTP School Garden discussed long-term food storage. Tessa LaFazio and Kymmie Scott from the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, along with Jeremy Dumire of Curry County Emergency Services discussed emergency preparedness. Spring Sheffel talked about Curry County CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), and Judi Collins from the Red Cross talked about CERT and Child Preparedness. Lastly Brett Weidemiller from Coos Forest Protective Association discussed fire safety and their “Firewise” program.

Fire trucks on display at the emergency preparedness fair.

Organizations Share Information & Prizes

Each family was given a bucket when they entered the fair. This idea came from Marna Williams of Gold Beach Rotary, who has organized several similar emergency response events in Gold Beach. Buckets work well to store emergency gear, partly because they are water proof; but more than that, they can serve as a stool, a water carrier, or even a toilet in the event of an emergency. On the day of the Fair, they also served as a way for families to carry all the goodies they were being given from the various booths set up by local organizations!

Twelve organizations set up informational booths inside the building, while two fire departments and the American Red Cross were stationed outdoors for visitors to view their vehicles and ask questions. Participating organizations had amazingly interesting information to share.  NOAA brought a lightning making machine for kids and lots of handout for parents. Brett Weidemiller from Coos Forest Protection Agency shared information about CFPA’s fire prevention program, a program where CFPA will send someone to look at trees and give suggestions for fire prevention on a property.

Sven from NOAA National Weather Service demonstrates the lightning making machine.

Local businesses were also generous with donations, allowing organizers to provide raffle items and door prizes. Lonna Lipparelli, from the Brookings Red Cross, was able to secure donations of 75 buckets. Donations came from Fred Meyer, Bi Mart, Home Depot and Les Schwab. Raffle items included a water filtration kit, books, a leatherman knife, first aid kits and more.

The grand prize was a guardian bucket survival kit, donated by Brookings Les Schwab Tire Center.

Reflections

For a first run of the event, team member Kathleen Dickson felt that it went quite well. Participation from community groups in the form of booths, donations, and presenters was outstanding. Plans for next year’s event are underway already, with the planning team working on ways to generate even more interest and excitement – both within the community and among the organizations that play a part in keeping us prepared and safe.

“Knowing what to do in case of an emergency – whether it’s as simple as a winter storm knocking our power out, or as major as a wild fire bearing down on our town – gives families some semblance of control that makes it that much easier for them to stay safe,” Dickson said. “And that’s what our team is looking for by putting on an event such as the Family Emergency Preparedness Fair last month – a well-prepared AND safer community!”

Wild Rivers Connect Board Member Julie Payne, hands out information.

 

About Wild Rivers Connect:

Wild Rivers Connect provides networking opportunities and resources for nonprofits in Curry and Del Norte Counties. Wild Rivers Connect has an  events calendar,  Facebook page, and hold regular Nonprofit Leaders Luncheons. If you have questions about how Wild Rivers Connect can help your nonprofit organization, please contact us.