Do you know where to go in a community emergency?
The City of Seattle has created the Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare (SNAP) program to help your neighborhood get organized. This program encourages residents to talk to their neighbors about how they will work together to make sure everyone in the neighborhood is safe and cared for. Simply put, SNAP is a group of neighbors who have agreed to work together following a big disaster. Some neighborhoods like to have a very formal plan, with assigned roles and tasks, while other are more spontaneous, leaving specific assignments to the day of the disaster. There is no right or wrong way to organize. The way you do it really depends on the neighborhood “personality”. Regardless of how you organize there are some easy steps you can take to get everyone on the block thinking about disaster preparedness.
There is an online toolkit that provides practical step-by-step instructions on organizing as a neighborhood. The Seattle Office of Emergency Management can facilitate a discussion to help your neighborhood get organized. SNAP is a simple and flexible process that can be customized to meet the needs of your neighborhood.
Community Emergency Hubs are places where people gather after a disaster to help each other. Hubs serve as a central gathering place among neighbors in homes, apartments, and condominiums. They include spaces like the P-Patches, which are already natural gathering places. With the addition of the P-Patches, it means neighbors and community members now have about 150 pre-determined places in the City of Seattle to meet after disaster.
How do I find out where the hubs are?
The Seattle Office of Emergency Management (OEM) maintains a map of hub sites. There is also an independent, interactive Seattle Emergency NeighborLink Map where community members can connect with each other.
What will happen at a hub?
Ideally, people will meet, exchange information and resources, and problem-solve with each other.
Will City representatives be there?
No, hubs are places where neighbors go to help each other. After a disaster, City responders will prioritize their resources to help those in the most life-threatening situations, such as people trapped or injured in collapsed buildings.
Will there be food, water, or first aid there?
Generally, no. The idea is people who gather there will share information on what they know and problem-solve together. Some gardens may use message boards to help share information with others. Some may organize supplies together. It will vary depending on who is there.
Where can I go for more information?
Seattle OEM encourages people to find out where their nearest hub is. For a printable map, go to http://seattle.gov/hubs and click “Find a Hub.”
Are there funding opportunities available to support Community Emergency Hubs?
Yes, go to our Neighborhood Matching Fund page to find out how to apply for a Small Sparks Award of up to $5,000 to supplement your hub with tools, equipment or emergency supplies.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
- Seattle Emergency Hubs: 206-933-6968, info@seattleemergencyhubs.org
- Interactive Map: Click on the icons to find your direct contact