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Emergency Preparedness
Eastside Fire & Rescue community members and visitors should know the hazards that could impact the community, be informed when emergencies happen, make a plan to respond to those hazards, build a kit to sustain themselves after a disaster, and get involved with their community to respond together.
You can't know where you'll be or what you'll be doing when disaster strikes. That is why it is so important to make an emergency plan before something happens. Work together with your household, friends, coworkers, and neighbors to make a plan.
Communicating with loved ones is very important in the aftermath of a disaster, but normal communications methods might not work. Having a communications plan will help you stay connected.
In the case of emergency and normal communications do not work, having a communication plan will help you stay connected.
- Communicating with loved ones is very important in the aftermath of a disaster, but normal communications methods might not work. Having a communications plan will help you stay connected.
- Sign up to receive emergency alerts and warnings.
- If lots of people try to make phone calls at the same time, the system can become overwhelmed and crash. Instead of calling people after a disaster, try to send short text messages, such as 'U OK?' or 'IM HOME'. Short text messages are more likely to get through successfully than longer messages or phone calls.
- Establish an out-of-area contact for everyone in your household. Texts or phone calls to someone who lives outside of an impacted area are more likely to get through successfully than texts or calls to someone close by. Ask a trusted friend or family member who lives out of state.
- Write down important phone numbers and keep them in a safe location in your home as well as in your wallet, purse, or backpack. If you lose your phone or your phone dies, you will still be able to reach people.
- If someone in your household has a communication disability or uses alternative communication devices, be sure to include their needs in your plan as well.
Sign up to receive emergency alerts and warnings.
Communication Planning Resources
Plans for Access and Functional Needs
Family Communications Planning Guide
Start with these basic disaster supplies that everyone should have. Make modified kits to have preparedness items at places like your workplace, school, or for bags that you might take on various outings.
- Water - One gallon per person per day for at least 2 weeks for drinking and sanitation
- Food - At least a 2 week supply of non-perishable food (don't forget a manual can opener)
- NOAA Weather Radio with extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Blanket and warm clothing
- Flashlights or headlamps with extra batteries (don't use candles for light or heat)
- Whistle
- Dust masks
- Sanitation supplies including moist towelettes, garbage bags, and feminine products
- Non-sparking utility tool to turn off utilities
- Local maps
- Cell phone chargers and backup batteries
Stay informed before, during, and after emergencies by seeking information from these resources.
Alert King County
ALERT King County is a regional public information and notification service offered by King County Emergency Management. ALERT King County helps you stay informed about potential hazards and threats that impact your area.
Register your physical address(es), email address(es), and phone number(s) to receive important safety information during an emergency. You can now register to receive alerts in different languages. Sign up is free!
Current language availability include:
- English
- Spanish
- Japanese
- Arabic
- Russian
- Korean
- French
- Portuguese
- Chinese
Additional Alert & Warning Systems
King County Flood Alerts
King County offers free Flood Alerts to keep you informed of local flood conditions. Sign up to receive alerts for rivers or flood levels that interest or impact you.
National Weather Service Alerts
Receive customized text message and email alerts from the National Weather Service.
Hazard Safety Tips
Before an Earthquake
Conduct a home hazard hunt.
Go through each room in your household and see what objects are unsecured that could fall or move during an earthquake.
Secure items that could fall and cause injury or block escape routes (like bookshelves, televisions, refrigerators, wall decorations, and light fixtures).
- Practice Drop, Cover, Hold On.
- Build an emergency kit.
- Make a household emergency plan.
During an Earthquake
The most common causes of injury during earthquakes are being struck unsecured objects and trying to move or run while the ground is shaking.
To protect yourself, the best thing to do is to drop, cover, then hold on!
After an Earthquake
There may be aftershocks after the largest shock of an earthquake. In case of an aftershock, be sure to drop, cover, and hold on.
Check yourself for injuries and help other people if you can.
Do not enter damaged buildings. If in a damaged building, go outside and move away from the building.
Only turn off natural gas if you suspect a gas leak. A rotten egg smell, whistling sound, or meter spinning can all be indicators of a gas leak in your home. Once you turn off the gas, wait for your utility company to turn it back on.
If you are trapped, cover your mouth. Send a text, bang on a pipe or a wall, or use a whistle to signal for help instead of yelling so rescuers can locate you.
Stay informed with local news and emergency instructions.
Before Structure Fire
Develop and practice a home fire escape plan with at least 2 ways out of every room. Include windows in your escape planning.
Building or business owners should develop a fire evacuation plan.
Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and both inside and outside of every sleeping area. Test batteries every month and change them every 6 months.
Sleep with bedroom doors closed.
Store copies of important documents in a fire-proof lock box or digital copies with a trusted, out-of-area loved one.
During Structure Fire
Call 9-1-1 as soon as it is safe to do so.
Crawl low under any smoke to exit.
Before opening a door, feel the door with the back of your hand. If it feels hot or there is smoke coming around the door, leave the door closed and use a different way out.
If you open a door, open it slowly. If fire or smoke is present, shut it quickly.
Do not re-enter a building for people or pets. Call 9-1-1 and tell the operator where people are located in the building and tell firefighters when they arrive.
If you can't get out of a burning building, close the door and cover vents and cracks around doors with cloth or tape to keep smoke out. Call 9-1-1 and tell them where you are. Signal for help at the window with a light colored cloth or flashlight.
If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll. If you or someone else cannot stop, drop, and roll, smother the flames with a blanket or towel. Treat burns with cool water and cover with a clean, dry cloth. Call 9-1-1 right away.
After Structure Fire
Contact the American Red Cross if you need emergency housing assistance at 206-587-2345.
If you are insured, contact your insurance company for instructions on how to proceed.
Do not re-enter a building until professional responders say it is safe to do so.
Do not attempt to reconnect utilities yourself. Contact your utility provider.
Inventory damaged property and items. Take photos if you can. Do not throw away damaged property until it is inventoried.
Save receipts for any money spent related to the fire. These may be needed by your insurance company and for verifying losses for tax purposes.
Notify your mortgage company or landlord of the fire.
Clean up smoke, soot, and fire damage. If the damage is extensive consider hiring a professional.
Experiencing a fire can be extremely stressful and traumatic. Learn how to cope and recover emotionally after a fire.
Before Flooding
Flooding is one of the most common hazards in the United States, and can be caused by a wide variety of hazards. Flooding is most likely to occur due to heavy rainfall or other events that overwhelm the drainage system. There are steps to take to reduce damage from and even prevent flooding.
During Flooding
Turn around, don't drown! Never drive through floodwaters or on flooded roads. It only takes a few inches of water to move vehicles, and water may have weakened the ground underneath the road, even if the street looks solid. Never drive around barricades.
Never play in, touch, or drink flood water. Do not allow children or animals to do so. Floodwater can be contaminated or contain dangerous debris.
If flooding is severe and you are unable to clear a storm drain contact local Public Works Department.
After Flooding
Turn around, don't drown! Never drive through floodwaters or on flooded roads. It only takes a few inches of water to move vehicles, and water may have weakened the ground underneath the road, even if the street looks solid. Never drive around barricades.
Never play in, touch, or drink flood water. Do not allow children or animals to do so. Floodwater can be contaminated or contain dangerous debris.
If flooding is severe and you are unable to clear a storm drain, call the 24/7 Public Works.