CONNECTING BLOCK WATCH, CERT, SNAP, AND HUBS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013 SEATTLE EOC Peer to Peer Preparedness Summit

Welcome!

Goals for Today Meet each other Learn from each other Brainstorm ways we can support each other to create a more prepared Seattle

Block Watch

Deborah Greer West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network (WSBWCN)

“…the number of delinquents of these ages increased 200 percent” “…a sad commentary on the lack of results that have been achieved as a result of all the efforts of public and private agencies…”  Seattle Times, May 29, 1960

1968 Crime Prevention Conference “…the conference’s broad base reflects the growing realization that crime control will require a multi-faceted effort by almost every citizen.”  Seattle Times, April 4, 1968

“Stop Crime; Get Involved — You may be next!” 20 page illustrated pamphlet with checklist  Seattle Times, April 3, 1970

“ We were about the second in the nation to start the program…” “It is recognized nationally as one of the most innovative burglary prevention plans.”  Seattle Times, September 5, 1977

“…participating households have experienced up to a 61% decrease in residential burglaries.”  Seattle Times, May 5, 1980

Block Watch campaign poster  May 5, 1983

What is Block Watch?  Block Watch is all about neighbors helping neighbors.  Participants watch out for each others' homes and report suspicious activities to the police and to each other.  One or two residents are designated as Block Captain / Co- Captain and function as the liaison between residents and the Police Department.  Residents form a communication chain aided by a block map of names, addresses and phone numbers.

What is Block Watch NOT?  The Block Watch program is not intended to form citizen crime watch patrols or vigilante groups.  Participants are not asked do the police work; simply to report suspicious or criminal behavior to the police.  Participants are not required to tell your neighbors every aspect of your business or become best friends.

How does Block Watch typically work?  Block Watch members provide their contact information so it can be shared among members.  A Block Watch map, an list or phone tree are created and maintained by the Captain or Co-Captain.  Participants report suspicious behavior to police or (911) and report the incident to the Captain.  The Captain s the Block Watch to be on the alert.  The neighborhood works together on problem situations, nuisance houses and any other issues they care about.  Many groups participate in annual Night Out activities or other social events.

It’s Not Your Parents’ Block Watch  Technology has made it much more efficient and effective.  Many groups have Co-Captains to share the work.  Groups choose how to organize and communicate.  In most areas, the Block Watch program has evolved to include not only crime prevention but also emergency preparedness and community building.  Many groups map their neighborhood to show  location of utilities  residents, pets or children who may need special assistance  resources such as ladders, generators or other tools.

West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network (WSBWCN)  Organizing area Block Watch groups together for greater effectiveness  Natural stepping stone to include neighborhood preparedness and promote community.  Including more than just crime prevention increases the sustainability and participation in the neighborhood watch.  Soon to be expanded! Seattle Block Watch Network to add more Seattle communities.

Resources  Seattle Police: “Block Watch Toolkit”  West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network (WSBWCN)   Phone:

BW can be a great foundation for emergency preparedness!  You already know each other; communication channels are established and ready to use  Knowledge of neighborhood exists:  Resources and skills are already known.  Specialty resources can be pooled and shared (not everyone needs to own a generator or chainsaw).  Typical hazards can be pre-identified; gas shutoffs can be mapped, etc.  Vulnerabilities can be addressed before a disaster.

Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare (SNAP)

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

 Standardized National Program  Over 2,200 registered CERT programs nationwide  Trains people in basic disaster response skills

 Properly equipped  Work in teams (of at least 2)  Searcher safety – you come first

Light Urban Search & Rescue

Assess/Evaluate subject

Transport Subject to safe area

Triage: Evaluate Prioritize Treat

Firefighting & Utility Control (simulated fire situation)

Seattle has been training CERT for 2 years, and currently has 87 people trained. For Seattle CERT training, contact Cathy Wenderoth at Seattle Office of Emergency Management.

64 WASHINGTON STATE CERT PROGRAMS Centralia, Seattle Public Utilities, Federal Way, White River Valley, Yakima County, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, Skagit County CERT, Northshore Fire Department CERT, Edmonds Community College CERT, Walla Walla County CERT, King County Fire District 20 (Tukwila/Renton area), West Pierce Fire & Rescue, Tacoma LDS CERT, City of Kirkland CERT, Tacoma CERT, Whatcom County CERT, City of Renton CERT, Skamania County CERT, DuPont CERT, ESCA CERT, Shoreline CERT, Issaquah CERT, North River CERT, City of Puyallup CERT, Spokane Valley Fire Department, Mercer Island Volunteer CERT, Everett Office of Emergency Management CERT, Maple Valley CERT, Grays Harbor College CERT, East County Fire & Rescue CERT, Thurston County CERT, Okanogan County CERT, City of Kent/Covington CERT, KCFD #44 (Black Diamond) CERT, Clallam County CERT, Clark County Fire District 6 CERT, Redmond CERT, Sammammish CERT, Grant County CERT, Douglas County CERT, Ferry County CERT, Quinault Indian Nation CERT, Island County, Kittitas County, Port Ludlow Fire & Rescue CERT, Carnation Duvall CERT, Ferry County CERT, Snoqualmie – North Bend, Peninsula CERT, Snohomish County Emergency Management CERT, Vashon Island CERT, Mason County Division of Emergency Management, Greater Federal Way CERT, Mason County CERT, Lower Elwha Klallam CERT, Bothell CERT, Bainbridge Island CERT, Seattle Children's Emergency Response Team, Pacific County Emergency Management Agency CERT, City of Tukwila CERT, Seattle CERT, Port of Seattle CERT, South Beach CERT, Yakima Nation CERT

Community Emergency Preparedness Hubs

A Emergency Communication Hub is… a community gathering site that activates in the event a major disaster occurs that makes it impossible to share information in conventional ways. a place to meet and exchange needs, resources, and information with your neighbors and the city, and help the community respond quickly and effectively.

The Hub Mission: Prior to a disaster, the hub's responsibility is to aid the City of Seattle in encouraging citizens to be individually and collectively prepared for any disaster. By prior planning, preparation, and practice, volunteer citizens will have the capability to activate, as soon as possible after a disaster, a network of pre-located neighborhood emergency communications hub sites. During a disaster, the hub sites will: 1 - Collect information on local situations, needs, and resources. 2 - Relay information between hub sites, and to and from the City of Seattle's Emergency Operations Center (EOC). 3 - Assist in allocation of resources provided by neighborhood residents to needs of neighborhood residents. The hub mission is accomplished SOLELY through community volunteers.

How the hub functions: Nothing at the designated site until activation. Volunteers bring supplies and “set up shop” under an agreement with the site owner. Gather information and convey it in an organized way. The focus is community information sharing, and helping each other help themselves, instead of waiting for other first responders.

A hub is NOT… a government agency. an emergency shelter site. a fire/medic station. somewhere to expect to find food or supplies.

37 Hub locations throughout the city

Activity: “Speed Survival”

Speed Survival You have 90 seconds to create the most complete survival kit you can, using only items from your pockets, purses, bags, and backpacks Most complete kit wins!  1 point per item  First aid kits count as 5 points maximum  BONUS ITEMS:  Something that can immobilize a broken limb (10 points)  A signaling device (10 points)  Cold packs/hot packs (15 points)  A way to get around a large bookshelf blocking an exit (15 points)

Break

Working Together Lessons from “Speed Survival”?

Divergent Thinking Convergent Thinking: Name the eating utensil that goes with a spoon and a knife. What do you call the pointy parts? How many prongs/tines are on a standard dinner fork? On what side of the plate do you put the fork in a standard place setting? Divergent Thinking: What’s one way to use a fork to make money? What’s one way to use a fork to be safe? In a disaster, which way of thinking and learning will be more helpful? All credit for this thought experiment goes to Ana-Marie Jones, director, CARD (

Breakouts

Next Steps

Goals for Today Meet each other Learn from each other Brainstorm ways we can support each other to create a more prepared Seattle

Thank You! Please fill out an evaluation!