Neighbors helping neighbors will be a key approach to local emergency preparedness in La Conner.
Since its inception two years ago, the Town Emergency Management Commission has initiated flood mitigation measures and developed a Community Emergency Management Plan (CEMP). Now, it is shifting focus to a new priority — neighborhood mapping.
Neighborhood mapping for disaster preparedness is the process of identifying and documenting critical resources, vulnerabilities, and response strategies within a community to enhance emergency readiness and resilience. It involves mapping infrastructure, evacuation routes, shelters, medical facilities, and potential hazards such as flood zones or earthquake-prone areas.
Additionally, it includes community assets like volunteers, communication hubs, and supply distribution points to improve coordination during a disaster. By visually organizing this information, neighborhood mapping helps residents, first responders, and local officials plan for and respond to emergencies more effectively.
It began in Oakland, California in response to a devastating wildfire. The goal is to build and strengthen disaster readiness among residents in a specific area, commission charter member Jerry George told fellow advisory panel members during their Tuesday meeting at Maple Hall.
George said Washington state officials recommend five to 20 households be included in each neighborhood map. “The reason for that size is if it’s larger than that, it’s hard to coordinate everything after the fact,” he explained.
Town Assistant Planner Ajah Eills said she can help get the word out on neighborhood mapping by linking a “Map Your Neighborhood” guide to the Town website.
The next step for the commission will be to staff an information table at Gilkey Square during the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Parade here Saturday afternoon. Commission members anticipate answering general questions at that time along with sharing tips on how to create household emergency kits and undertake neighborhood mapping.
George and commission chair Doug Asbe will provide additional emergency preparedness details at the next “Meet the Mayor” forum at 10 a.m. April 12 at La Conner Swinomish Library.
Commissioner Brianna Wilson, who will serve as interim chair while Asbe is away this summer, reported Tuesday that she has begun steps to enlist La Conner youth in the emergency preparedness campaign. She said several ideas have been floated in that regard, including a student CPR Day, sandbagging, converting news boxes to “little libraries,” and launching a Teen CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program.
In addition, Wilson said La Conner students have expressed interest in drafting a map identifying locations of La Conner area emergency shelters.
“I like the idea of starting with ninth graders to develop a cadre of teenagers who can help with the community,” George said.
Bill Reynolds: bill@laconnercommunitynews.org. Bill is a general assignment reporter who covers Town government, schools, and spot news.
