Let's Get Ready Orcas!

Our Mission is to support community-based emergency response on Orcas Island and in San Juan County, Washington State.

Above: A Community Responds

Let's
GET READY ORCAS!

Above: Heavy rains washed away a stream bank, collapsing an island road

Above: The East Sound on Orcas

The island is relatively safe:

Wildfire: Moderate summer temperatures and high relative humidity make the danger of wildfire lower than in many mainland areas.
Flooding: The San Juans, in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, get substantially less precipitation than nearby places such as Seattle. Orcas Island terrain tends to be hilly, and there are no major rivers. These factors combine to make flooding much less of a problem on Orcas than in many areas on the mainland.
Weather events: Historically, summertime high temperatures have been around 70°F, while wintertime lows averaged in the high 30s to low 40s. Winter snows are infrequent, except at higher elevations.
Tsunamis: The typical high bank shoreline offers significant protection from tsunamis. Generally, islanders can escape to high ground from lower areas.
Earthquake: The prevalence of bedrock provides protection against earthquake damage, compared with other areas with more loose, unconsolidated soils.

There are still significant dangers:

Earthquakes & Tsunamis: Though rare, major earthquakes and subsequent tsunamis will present serious challenges, even if their main effects hit elsewhere in the region. Supplies of food and fuel to the islands will be disrupted. Water pipes and water towers may crumble or crack. Many roads will be damaged. Fallen trees will block passage. Subsea power, phone and internet cables may be knocked out. Power, communications, ferries, and sewer would all be affected. In addition, in a widespread regional event, major population centers like Seattle will be the initial focus for rescue efforts. It could be weeks or months before outside help arrives in the San Juan Islands.
Wildfire: Summers are getting drier and hotter. Each year there are periods of high fire danger, and both populated and forested areas may be vulnerable. Every 10-15 years, very strong dry winds out of the east create conditions in which a spark from a rock struck by a chainsaw or a weed whacker can ignite a wildfire.
Winter Storms: The island is seeing increasing rainfall and more severe windstorms during the winter, along with occasional snowstorms and freezing temperatures. Roads can be blocked, power, water and electricity disrupted. Local emergency personnel have to prioritize the most severe injuries and may not reach some areas for days after a major storm.

Above: Orcas Island=

community emergency responders

Our Vision Includes ...

Ongoing training, education and drills for everyone, regardless of skills or physical abilities
Preparing for individual and family self-sufficiency in critical areas such as food and water
Developing communications networks using radio technologies such as FRS, GMRS and ham radio that could continue to function when cell towers and internet fail
Creating mutually supportive relationships with other emergency response groups, sharing information, skills and resources
Providing community support in the critical period before professional emergency responders arrive
Empowering community members to safely and effectively assist professional responders (if and when requested!) by teaching essential skills such as fire safety, search and rescue, and medical operations, and organizing volunteers to handle tasks that free up first responders for more complex duties

Questions? Suggestions?
click Here

Radio Communications

Technologies such as Family Radio Service, General Mobile Radio Service, ham radio and satellite could continue to function when cell towers and internet fail. Free classes will cover both the how-to of using handheld radios and radio etiquette.

GMRS for Emergency Communications

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. To view our IRS determination letter, please click HERE

Our Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) is
41-4915343.

We are incorporated in Washington State (UBI 606 128 055).