When disaster strikes, the first people to help are often the ones next door. Seattle is now putting more weight on that idea.
Over the next few weeks, Fremonsters have three ways to get ready together: a city survey, the opening of a new Upper Fremont emergency hub, and a statewide earthquake drill.
Earlier this month, Mayor Katie B. Wilson signed an executive order to overhaul how the City of Seattle prepares for and responds to emergencies. According to the mayor’s office, the order draws on lessons from a 2025 outside assessment, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the Bite of Seattle shooting.
The order directs the Office of Emergency Management to work with the Department of Neighborhoods on neighborhood-specific training and preparedness plans. It also sets new standards for AlertSeattle emergency alerts and requires every city department to understand its emergency role by the end of 2027.
“Because when emergencies happen, people don’t care which department is doing what. They care about how the City shows up,” OEM Director Curry Mayer said in the announcement.
The first way for neighbors to get involved comes with a deadline.
The city is updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan, which is the roadmap it uses to reduce risk from earthquakes, winter storms, power outages, floods, landslides, and other disasters.
A community survey that will shape the update closes Monday, Oct. 5. It takes about 5 minutes and is anonymous. The city says responses will help set priorities for programs and projects at the neighborhood level.
Next up is a grand opening celebration in Upper Fremont. The B.F. Day Emergency Hub will hold its grand opening Saturday, Oct. 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the B.F. Day ball field, 4025 Linden Ave. N.
Visitors can see how the hub works and pick up simple ways to get their households ready. There will be free coffee, doughnuts, and kid-friendly activities. Organizers are asking attendees to register.
A Seattle Community Emergency Hub is a predetermined spot where neighbors can gather after a disaster to share information and resources. Each hub has a core of trained volunteers who collect information on local needs and help match resources to them.
The new Upper Fremont hub is part of the Seattle Hub Network, a coalition of neighborhood hubs. Another Fremont hub is already up and running at Ross Playground, 4320 Fourth Ave. NW. More at rosshub.org.
Also happening in October is International ShakeOut Day on Thursday, Oct. 15. At 10:15 a.m., people across Washington will practice earthquake safety at work, at school, and at home. Households, offices, and classrooms can register their drill at shakeout.org/washington.
Anyone who lives, works, or visits Seattle can sign up for emergency alerts at seattle.gov/alert.
Leave a Reply