Preparedness kits 2 weeks, not 72 hour

COLFAX—September is National Preparedness Month which, for eastern Washington, means having an emergency kit and two-week supply of food necessities instead of the standard 72-hour kit.

According to Whitman County Emergency Management Director Bill Tensfeld, the recommendation was expended after the state Cascadia exercise. The exercise was to see what response and fall out would be in the event of the Cascadia event, massive earthquakes devastating western Washington. During that exercise, it was discovered it takes 10 to 14 days for the food supply to catch up in eastern Washington. This was made more evident during the early days of COVID when shortages at local stores were abundant.

In addition to a food supply and basic disaster kit, citizens should also have a preparedness plan, including how to communicate with family and friends during disasters, shelter plan, reviewing insurance papers and evacuation routes. Tensfeld said people need to include care for pets in disaster plans, a local map and cash as no electricity means debit cards won’t work.

Pullman Police Department also encourages citizens, as part of preparedness, to learn lifesaving skills, such as CPR and first aid.

Tensfeld also advised people to have preparedness kits in vehicles and at work as they may not be able to return home after a disaster strikes. Kits should be grab-and-go ready, as there may not be 10 to 15 minutes to put things together when the time comes.

“You need to be prepared for the worst,” he said.

Resources for building kits and making preparedness plans are available through the county’s Emergency Management webpage at whitmancounty.net/264/Emergency-Management and http://www.ready.gov.