Washington Ready! May 27 & 28 th 2015

Power was lost to the entire Methow Valley from July17 to July 24 th.

Rhythm and Blues – the music plays on!

Line up at the gas station, no power, no debit card transactions, one pump was functional. Always travel with cash and a full tank. These are all visitors trying to leave the valley.

SGTMAJ (Trooper 989 WSP Retired) Robert E. Koczewski 7/19/2014

Photo taken on the hill above Twisp. The fire is consuming homes in Finley Canyon and on its way over the Loup Loup Summit to the Chilliwist where it continued to consume homes.

Urgent Care Clinic at Aero Methow Rescue in partnership with Three Rivers Hospital

Lunch interrupted during our daily meeting to review Daily Incident Action Plan Our board members and members of the community started bringing us lunch, our only real meal of the day.

Daily Cooperators Meeting

Partners: Snohomish County Fire District #1 Three Rivers Hospital & Methow Valley Family Practice & Country Clinic Okanogan County Department of Emergency Management FEMA & Red Cross Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office & Okanogan County Dispatch Emergency Operating Center (EOC) Okanogan County Public Health Local Mental Health Providers Okanogan County Commissioners Okanogan County Public Works Okanogan County Fire District #6 & USFS Fire & DNR Fire & Private Fire Contractors Pearrygin Lake State Park

Twisp and Winthrop Chamber of Commerce's Town of Twisp Mayor Twisp and Winthrop Law Enforcement & Washington State Patrol & National Guard Jamie’s Place (Adult Home) Local Businesses Volunteers & Retired Healthcare Providers & Neighborhood leaders Churches & Community Centers Human Resource Agencies Communications – Verizon and Local Radio Methow Valley Long Term Recovery Organization (MVLT)

Photo taken as they were leaving their home. They lost everything. One of our volunteer's home.

Bill Moody – Air Attack

DC 10- Tanker 911

Rising Eagle Fire started August 1. It burned 579 acres and 24 structures of which 10 were homes in 4 hours. It was started by a spark from a seized up wheel on a trailer. Rising Eagle is on the left of the photo, directly north is the northern portion of the Carlton Complex (above Pearrygin Lake State Park), to the west is Little Bridge Creek Fire. Rising Eagle started 19 days after the lightning storm that started the Carlton Complex.

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One August 21 st the rain came and created mudslides which resulted in destroying or damaging 12 more homes. Our valley has been under siege since July 14th. We have been working in an environment of ever changing challenges for 39 days.

The children of our valley were significantly affected. One 3 year old boy told us our toy helicopter was broken because it didn’t have a bucket on it. His family had to evacuate to Omak and for days they did not know if their home survived (it did!)

Lessons learned: Implement ICS Immediately and practice in small emergencies Know your local Emergency Response Plan Review and update at least annually Know your partners – do not be exchanging business cards on the battle field EMS in the Constant that everyone seeks: be kind and supportive of you community They are relying on you to be strong, take care of them and help them understand and cope.

Engage Mental Health early – set up drop in clinics, have contact list ready at all times Have a daily (not individual) sign in roster for volunteers stating what they did each day Food – feed the workers and those in need Sanitize the work space regularly Take care of your staff and volunteers, ensure everyone gets rest and time to take of their personal needs. MVLTR hired a community Preparedness Coordinator so the community will be better prepared for the next event.

Thank you! Aero Methow Rescue Staff and Volunteers Snohomish County Fire District #1 Sheila and Buddy – DMAT- Disaster Medical Assistance Team Members Aero Methow Rescue Service Board Members