KNOWLEDGE BEFORE NEED
All County Picnic Connects Neighbors with Preparedness Resources
By Megan Claflin
Below is the latest Local 20/20 column in the Port Townsend Leader. Thank you, PT Leader!
The 10th annual All County Picnic invites East Jefferson County to celebrate community resilience on Saturday and Sunday, August 20-21, 2022. As a rural community, our ability to respond to emergencies and recover from disaster is dependent on knowing where and how to connect to information and resources before a crisis.
A cornerstone of the All County Picnic is the opportunity for attendees to engage civic and community leaders from Jefferson County’s network of public health and safety professionals on a variety of preparedness topics.
Preparedness Presentations
On Saturday, August 20, from 11am to 4pm at HJ Carroll Park’s Rotary Pavilion, community members are encouraged to attend the robust series of preparedness, response, and recovery presentations, including:
11AM Local 2020 Neighborhood Preparedness
Not all emergencies Jefferson County may face will be catastrophic disasters but all have the potential to disrupt the transportation routes and supply chains that all residents depend on for food, medical supplies, and more. By embracing the Local 2020’s Neighborhood Preparedness’ mantra – You’re on Your Own (YOYO) – families and neighbors can prepare in advance to protect their health and well-being in any situation.
12PM JeffCo Department of Emergency Management
Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management works to prepare our communities for hazards and disasters that affect the Olympic Peninsula and our areaLearn more about Jefferson County’s hazard profile and why building resilience in our rural communities is critical to response and recovery.
1PM East Jefferson Fire Rescue
Chief Bret Black of East Jefferson Fire Rescue calls residents to take action around wildfire prevention and response. Learn how you can reduce fire risk around your home and neighborhood, and how to keep apprised of instructions for when to shelter in place and when to evacuate.
2PM JeffCo Public Utility District
Jefferson County Public Utility District #1 is a critical partner in emergency operations, maintaining and repairing infrastructure and utilities critical to public health and safety including, electric, water, septic, and telecommunications.
3PM Emergency Broadcast Teams
KPTZ 91.9FM and KROH 91.1FM, in partnership with the JeffCo Emergency Operations Center, ensures that vital information reaches the public in emergency situations in the event of traditional forms of communication failure.
Please note that due to ongoing construction at HJ Carroll Park, this year’s event will include presentations, a limited number of information booths, and “Go Bag” distribution. Carpooling is highly encouraged. The park’s facilities and grounds have lots to offer children and youth, however All County Picnic will not include kids’ activities or live music this year.
Community Points of Distribution
Community Points of Distribution (CPODs) are sites where the public can pick-up life-sustaining emergency relief supplies following a disaster, and may also be utilized as a communication hub.
In 2020, All County Picnic began incorporating CPOD Training Exercises into our annual tradition of distributing free corn on the cob to picnickers. This practice has become a playful and practical way for residents to practice identifying and traveling to the nearest CPOD to receive critical information along with “emergency” rations of delicious, sweet corn.
On Saturday, August 20, from 11am to 4pm at HJ Carroll Park’s Rotary Pavilion, pre-registered neighborhoods can pick up their “ration” of corn on the cob along with Go Bags. A limited number of supplies will also be available to walk-up attendees.
Neighborhood Picnics
Another poignant practice brought to fruition by the COVID-19 pandemic, are “Picnic in Place” neighborhood gatherings. Preparedness planning is critical but it doesn’t have to be cumbersome or intimidating! Now part of the All County Picnic traditions, “Picnic in Place” gatherings will be held county-wide on Sunday, August 21, 2022.
While neighbors are gathered it’s a great time to review the skills and resources that individuals and households have to share in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. The more we know about our own capabilities and needs, and that of our neighbors, in advance of a crisis, the better we are able to respond and recover.
Learn more at allcountypicnic.com.
All County Picnic is a collaborative effort of The Production Alliance (TPA), Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management, and Local 20/20’s NPREP Action Group. Megan Claflin is the Director of Development for The Production Alliance (TPA).
