OEM Preparedness News - Winter 2025

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 01/21/2025 12:42 PM PST
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Photo of an older white woman with short curly hair holding a microphone wearing a bright yellow safety vest with a screen behind her

In Memoriam of ACS Volunteer and Lake City Community Leader, Sandy Motzer

The Office of Emergency Management and our volunteer group, Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS), are saddened to announce the passing of a long time ACS volunteer and community leader, Sandy Motzer.

Dr. Sandy Motzer, PhD, was a retired UW professor emerita with a 30-year career in Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems. Not only did she establish the Lake City Emergency Communication Hub, but she was also one of the early members who helped build out the currently existing Hub Network. Sandy was a co-founder of the nonprofit, Lake City Stops the Bleed, brining this critical training to hundreds of Lake City residents since 2018. 

In July 2020, UW Columns Magazine published a beautifully written article on her community contributions. Below is a quote they captured that best reflects who Sandy was. She was a wonderful person and will be sorely missed by all.  

“The continued inspiration [to do this work] comes from all these people that I’ve met,” says Motzer. “Not just in Lake City, but across the city. There are wonderful people out there who have been engaged in doing community activism for decades. I’m just a newcomer to all of this.” - UW Columns Magazine, July 2020

 

Engagement Opportunities
graphic of a person applying pressure to a bleeding wound on a leg

Public offerings of Stop the Bleed soon to be posted on our public facing calendar. These will take place across 15 Seattle Community Centers citywide through a partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation running February - June. 
AlertSeattle Emergency alerts and notifications

AlertSeattle is the city's emergency and notification system. This system allows us to send life-saving instructions directly to your phone or email when disaster strikes. The system allows for geocoding which means we can narrow in on a specific area in the city if the disaster only impacts a particular region. Sign up today to get notified 
screenshot of website with icons for free training, hazard explorer, alertseattle, newsletter, twitter, volunteer, and contact us

Our website is getting an overhaul! The City's Information and Technology (ITD) department is working with OEM to bring a face lift to our public facing website. In the coming months, our page will reflect the city's main home page which is designed with a customer-focus in mind. It will reflect how community members would expect to see information, find information, and have what is important to the customer in the forefront. Stay tuned!
image of emergency supplies such as flashlight, water, canned food, checklist, batteries

OEM is going to be hiring for a few positions in our office. One of these positions will be on the Community Engagement team helping provide preparedness education to the community and build resiliency in Seattle neighborhoods. The position will focus on providing disaster education, managing volunteers, and supporting response as a 24/7 on-call duty officer. Create an account here to get a jump start and sign up for position notifications to get notified when it goes live!

Surviving the Unexpected

Fire Safety in Winter

It's important to keep in mind that if you are prepared for the worse, you're prepared for anything. The fires in California are a prime example of something expected happening at an unexpected time of year. California is no stranger to wildfires, however at this magnitude, and in this time of year where half the country is experiencing extreme cold temperatures, it is definitely something to take note of. Disasters don't strike at opportune moments. In fact, what makes something so disastrous is that feeling of not be ready for it. 

Think about who depends on you, and what would they need to make it through. That's the best starting place. For more information on how to be better prepared for the unexpected, visit our preparedness pages at https://seattle.gov/emergency-management/prepare.

graphic of a person building an emergency kit with their loved one

The Gift of Preparing for Loved Ones

The month of love is just around the corner. This year, whether it's for a romantic partner or beloved family member or friend, give the gift of preparedness and safety. Emergency kits can be purchased but sometimes building one suited for your loved one's needs is a great way to show you care and learn what they might need to be okay physically and mentally. It could even be fun exercise to do as a couple or family. 

At a bare minimum you need to think of food, water, and shelter or warmth. Everything outside of those three life-critical minimums can be worked on little by little so you don't feel overwhelmed. Think of medication, dietary needs, and equipment or tools. No matter what though, don't forget to put something in your kit that brings you joy or helps pass the time and keep your loved ones calm such as a favorite book, a deck of cards, or a sweet treat. 

Resolve to Be Ready

image of a family of color with script that reads resolve to spend more time with your loved ones. Resolve to protect them.

Be Tech Ready

  • Sign up to receive text or email alerts about emergencies through AlertSeattle.
  • Snap photos of important documents and save them online or in a secure place you can access during an emergency.
  • Set up group text lists so you can communicate with friends and family at the same time during emergencies.
  • Download money saving apps to help you save for a rainy day. 48% of people have an emergency fund, which gives them the savings to overcome simple emergencies.
  • Have external power sources available to charge phones and other devices in case of a power outage. 

Resolve to Prepare for Pets

  • Take a current photo of you and your pet together in case you get separated during a disaster. Check out OEM Pet Preparedness!
  • Search online today for local pet-friendly evacuation locations in case you need to evacuate.
  • Update your pet’s microchip registration info so you can be contacted if your pet gets lost in a disaster. 
  • Put your name and contact information on your pet’s ID tag in case you’re separated in an emergency. 
  • Remember to include your pets in your family's emergency plans.