Hundreds of volunteers gathered at the Washington State Fire Academy in North Bend for the annual CERT Expo, Aug. 28. Photo by Anne Laughlin The month of September marks the seventh annual “National Preparedness Month.” Since it is also the time that kids are heading back to school, it seems like a perfect opportunity to review a few disaster preparedness tips.

According to Washington State’s Emergency Management Division (EMD), parents and their children should have a firm grasp of what to do in the event of an emergency or disaster. The Division encourages people to fill out an “Out-of-area contact card,” review a copy of the Parent/Student Reunification Plan and make sure your child has a “Grab & Go Kit” at school.

Some may recall having trouble reaching loved ones after the Nisqually earthquake in 2001. EMD explains that “phone lines were ‘hardened’ years ago to withstand nuclear attack and are quite resistant to damage. It’s difficult to make local calls not because of damage, but because of the number of people trying to call at the same time.”

Long distance calls have a better chance of being connected so having an ‘out-of-area contact card’ is useful.

Designate a third party contact, someone who lives far enough away (at least 100 miles) that they would not be affected by a local disaster. Make sure your family (and the contact person) knows who has been designated, fill out the card and give copies to your children. Following a disaster, all household members call the out-of-area contact person to let them know how and where they are. It is an essential communications tool and allows loved ones to share information with each other regardless of whether or not local systems are operational.

The Division also notes that cell phone text messaging may be possible after a disaster but it advises that messages be kept short.

“Pay phones are part of the emergency services network, and are a priority to be restored to service,” says EMD. “Tape the coins needed to use a pay phone to your out-of-area contact card.”

The stress of an emergency can make remembering even routine information difficultso doing something as simple as keeping the contact card in your wallet or backpack can make a big difference down the road.

The Washington State Emergency Management Division (EMD) maintains a comprehensive and userfriendly website with an entire section dedicated to emergency preparedness for schools. For ready-toprint copies of the out-of-area contact card or to get more information about preparing your family for an emergency, visit www.emd.wa.gov.