Editorial: Get ready for the ‘big one’ — or even a snowstorm

Those of us who struggle to get our laundry done or keep our refrigerator stocked may quake at the thought of yet another domestic task: Creating Go Kits that will enable us to be ready in the event of a significant disaster.

September 29, 2009 12:41 pm

And why plan for something that may not happen in our lifetime when we can’t even plan for next week?

Well, to those who find themselves in such camps (including many of the fine souls at The Beachcomber), we have this to say: It’s really not that hard.

In fact, as Georgia and John Galus — the Island’s poster people for preparedness — point out, it can even be fun. Involve the kids, they say. Make it a family project. And realize that its purpose is not as hypothetical as you might imagine.

Georgia Galus, for instance, has found ample use for the car kit she carries: The wool hat has kept her warm on chilly nights when she ended up waiting in a ferry line longer than she’d expected, and the tweezers have been used to pull gravel out of scraped knees at family gatherings.

So in the spirit of supporting Islanders in their quest to be prepared, we’ve reprinted VashonBePrepared’s suggestions for a Go Kit — something one would grab and go in the event of an emergency. And for those who want to go the extra mile, consider carrying a similar version in your car, as the Galuses do.

If it’s really too much, know you can buy one, ready-made, at Essentials 4.

Either way, as several pointed out in this week’s issue, preparedness is essential on a ferry-dependent Island such as ours. And just like they tell us on the airplane (first put the oxygen mask on yourself before putting one on your child), by taking care of ourselves, we’re better able to support others we love.

For more information, visit VashonBePrepared.org.

Go Kit checklist

• Cell phone

• Two-way radios with extra batteries

• Flashlight with extra batteries

• Key contact list

• Local phone book

• Map of Vashon

• Geocode map (obtain from VashonBePrepared)

• Paper, pencils, scotch tape, clip board

• Medications

• Water