Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Neighborhoods that are prepared for emergencies and disaster situations save lives, reduce the severity of injuries and trauma and reduce property damage. In addition, contributing as an individual and working together as a team helps develop stronger communities and improve the quality of life in the community.

Disasters are major events that can strike anywhere and at anytime. In a disaster, traditional 911 and first responder capabilities such as fire, police, emergency medical services and utility personnel will be overwhelmed and unable to immediately assist individuals.

In a disaster, your most immediate source of help are the neighbors living around you. Take action today; go say hi!

Preparing your neighborhood is vital. Neighbors will likely be each other’s first responders! Neighbors that are prepared are more effective in their response to a disaster and have an increased capacity to be self-sufficient as well as help each other.

Use this OK/ HELP Card (PDF) to make sure your neighbors know what you need.

Other Community Preparedness groups:

Map Your Neighborhood (MYN)
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
Citizens Corps Partners (CERT, Fire Corps, Neighborhood Watch, Medical Reserve Corps, Volunteers in Police Service, Corporation for National and Community Service)
Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare (SNAP)
Seattle Emergency Hubs

Three Steps to Preparedness

Learn your Hazards	Have a Plan	Build Kits
Learning about the hazards near where you work, play, and live will help you and your family be prepared for disasters that could happen, like earthquakes, floods, and pandemics.	Having a family disaster plan gives you peace of mind when a disaster happens. Decide as a family where your meeting locations are and who your out-of-area contact is.	You and your family may be on your own for at least two weeks when a disaster happens. Build a 2 Weeks Ready kit at home and smaller kits for work, school, and vehicles.