The Town of La Conner is offering a potentially lifesaving investment opportunity that costs nothing but an hour of your time.

A free emergency preparedness seminar kicks off at 10 a.m. this Saturday, Feb. 8 at the La Conner Swinomish Library, the first in a series designed for local residents and business owners.

The first seminar will focus on creating a family disaster plan, assembling an emergency supply kit for sheltering in place and evacuation, and developing a disaster communications plan.

Town Emergency Management Commission Chair Doug Asbe and Jerry George, a founding member of the advisory panel formed after severe tidal flooding in late 2022, will lead the Feb. 8 discussion.

George hopes for a strong turnout, emphasizing the seminar’s interactive format.

“If we get more questions, we can get more information out,” George said at a recent Emergency Management Commission meeting.

This public emergency preparedness series evolved from the bi-monthly “Meet the Mayor” gatherings at the library, hosted in 2024 by Town Mayor Marna Hanneman.

Hanneman and Town Administrator Scott Thomas have championed the initiative.

Thomas said the series follows Washington state’s Prepare in a Year program but will focus on La Conner-specific concerns.