HomeMy WebLinkAbout09Sept12DisasterPreparednessFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2017
City of Renton Contacts
Deborah Needham, Emergency Management Director, 425-430-7725
Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator, 425-430-6569
The time to prepare for a disaster is before it happens
City of Renton offers tips on how to make a plan, build a survival kit, and help others
RENTON, WA – September is designated as “Ready in Renton” month and the City of Renton is urging
residents to prepare their family and property for the eventuality of a natural disaster. Renton is located in the
Cascade Subduction Zone is at an elevated risk for an earthquake.
“First responders will be overwhelmed in a disaster, and may not be able to get to you,” says Deborah
Needham, Emergency Management Director for the City of Renton. “Being prepared for emergencies and
natural disasters takes just a small amount of pre-planning. Not only do you increase your own survival and
comfort, but you take the load off first responders so they can focus on the critical emergency needs.”
The city’s effort to educate is part of National Preparedness Month. The Ready in Renton campaign
emphasizes basic emergency preparedness: make a plan, build a kit, and help each other. The American Red
Cross now recommends seven to 10 days of food, water, and other critical supplies. 14 days is even better.
Separation from, and the inability to communicate with, loved ones after a disaster can be overcome with
preparation. Decide on a meeting place in case you’re separated. Designate an out-of-area contact that
requires a long-distance call. Long-distance circuits are handled differently than local networks and may be the
only communication methods available. Use your contact as a message board to update everyone’s status.
There are a number of steps you can take to be ready if the normal flow of information is interrupted:
Bookmark rentonwa.gov The City of Renton will post updated emergency information on the home
page of the city’s website. In addition, the website’s Critical Emergency Information page gives the
location of shelters, major road closures, how to get food and water, and other important information
during a disaster.
Follow the city on social media Both the city and emergency management division actively post on
Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor. This emergency information can easily be shared with others.
Sign up for AlertRenton Receive information about potential hazards and threats to the city. Sign up at
www.rentonwa.gov/alert.
Find the location of your Neighborhood Information Center This is a low-tech way (think bulletin
board) of posting information when other means of communication are not working. Most Renton
School District schools have one at their main entrance.
Get a NOAA Weather Radio A programmable radio will let you choose the specific alerts to receive.
Share the message with others. Many people may not have received the information, or might not
understand it. Make a special effort to help everyone understand the danger so they can be safe.
About the City of Renton
The City of Renton, Washington, with a population of 102,700 (2017), is located on the southeast shore of Lake
Washington, just south of Seattle. Renton's strong economic base, diverse marketplace and favorable business
climate have attracted the attention of nationally recognized companies that are providing employees and
their families an outstanding quality of life. Renton is the home of Boeing, PACCAR, IKEA, the Seattle Seahawks,
and the eternal resting place of Jimi Hendrix. More information can be found on our website, or Facebook,
Twitter, and Nextdoor pages.
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