Orcas Power and Light Cooperative, Orcas Fire and Rescue, San Juan County Emergency Management and San Juan County Sheriff Department will be hosting an emergency preparedness forum at the Orcas Senior Center on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 4–6 p.m. This community event will share best practices and discuss individual and neighborhood planning to enhance the ability of islanders to ride out emergencies.

After short presentations from local emergency responders, there will be an open discussion and invitation to share your ideas for emergency preparedness and organization. When individual home readiness and neighborhood emergency systems dovetail with first responder services everyone becomes more effective.

These presentations and discussions will enhance the community’s understanding of how individual preparations, skills, resources, quick access to equipment and awareness of community communication can increase the success of emergency response. Participants will take away a sense of the significant part they play and a list of actions they can take to enhance their emergency readiness.