Year in Review 2020: Point Roberts Emergency Preparedness

Early in 2020, PREP received grants totaling just over $70,000 to construct an emergency communications facility for the fire district.

This funding includes a generous contribution of $10,000 from the Helen and Jose Colton Foundation that not only covers our local contribution to the effort but provides some additional funds for maintaining and upgrading our repeater.

We are grateful to the Colton Foundation for their continued support. Then came Covid-19. Needless to say, the communications project has been delayed, but we expect completion by this summer.

In response to the pandemic, PREP was among the first organizations to suspend face-to-face meetings and move to virtual meetings via Zoom to continue operations. The impact of Covid-19 restrictions prompted the PREP board to reconsider the contributions PREP can make to the community now and in the future.

In the context of these discussions, our shelter group took the initiative to develop a proposal that essentially defines how PREP will be able to provide essential services and support to our neighbors when impacted by emergencies and disasters in the future, be they wind storms, wildland fires, floods, or earthquakes.

If a major event occurs that prevents a substantial number of people from remaining in their homes, we do not have sufficient shelters, nor the required equipment and supplies (bedding, heaters, generators, food and water), to protect and sustain them and their pets in reasonable comfort until additional help arrives. The shelter group proposal specifies a sustainable way to provide this support with pre-positioned, quickly deployed equipment, supplies, and services.

These supplies can also be used to support those whose homes remain safe to occupy, but lack power, heat, or even water. We will be able to help those people to continue sheltering in place.

Currently, we do not have this capability. Families turned out in the cold, or able to remain at home in the cold, are likely to face substantial discomfort or worse. Our only alternative now, is to provide shelter in open public areas such as the community center and fire hall.

The pandemic has raised our awareness of the limitations of such facilities. We have a substantial number of older people, some with illnesses or handicaps that require isolation and special care. Our solution will accommodate them. Families want to stay together and have their beloved pets with them. Our solution will accommodate them as well.

The shelter group’s proposal has been submitted to the Colton Foundation for consideration. It’s admittedly a big ask, and a big need. While we hope for a positive response, we are determined to move in this direction during 2021. It will just take us longer to get there.

We look forward to getting started.