Who we are

South Whidbey Prepares

Launched April 19, 2025 at the Community Resilience and Emergency Preparedness Conference hosted by South Whidbey Fire/EMS, South Whidbey Prepares was born out of the vision of Chief Nick Walsh—and the enthusiastic support of our South Whidbey Fire/EMS, our County Commissioners and our Department of Emergency Management. The event sparked powerful momentum for a grassroots effort to build a more prepared, resilient island community.

We live on an island—and that is an ongoing joy that comes with certain risks. In a major disaster, our accustomed avenues for help (the fire department, EMT’s, law enforcement, etc.,) will be focused on damage assessment and repairing infrastructure. Outside help could be weeks—or even months—away. We will need to refocus and understand that our best first responder probably lives right next door, or down the street.

The goal of South Whidbey Prepares is simple: to help all of us prepare now so we can survive and thrive later, no matter what comes our way. We are here to inspire and support all 15,000 residents across our 66 square miles to get ready—together. We do this from a stance of caring, rather than fear. Because our strength lies in community, respect for all life, and the belief that the task of preparation is not complete until all of us are prepared, we are collaborating to build our capacity to bounce back from any disaster.

We’re grateful for the mentorship of Bainbridge Prepares and the Camano Island Preparedness Group, who share their lessons and best practices. Together, we’re part of a growing network of islands building resilience from the ground up.

Join us. Let’s get South Whidbey ready—together.

CONTACT SW PREPARES. To sign up to help, ask questions or get on our email list, contact us.