Resource library
Champion’s materials
The overwhelming response to neighborhood meetings is positive. Be sure to email us if you want a guest speaker.
Join our Champions’ meetings on the 3rd Wednesdays of each month, 6pm at the Bayview Fire Station. We learn and laugh together, share stories of successes and get help with our inevitable obstacles.
Communicate the need to get prepared
Sample letter of introduction which you will want to personalize
Small pamphlet which partly explains the necessity of being prepared
Sample agenda for your first gathering which you will customize to your circumstances
Video of Scott James’ presentation to Whidbey Island June 2025
Be sure to look at the list of videos from other sources for clips you can share to impress upon your neighbors the necessity to get prepared.
Discover all the resources and resilience already in your neighborhood
Get a map of your neighborhood from South Whidbey Prepares
Map Your Neighborhood is an excellent tool to discover your neighborhood’s skills and resources. MYN documents and videos are available on the Island County Emergency Management web site.
Alternatively or additionally, especially if you live in a rural area of Whidbey, you might customize this questionnaire.
Prepare as a neighborhood
Learn how to turn off each other’s gas/propane tanks
Develop your communications plan with help from our Radio Working Group
Create some buddy systems for child care and animal care/protection in event part of the family is off island when disaster strikes.
Conduct a FireWise assessment and create a mitigation plan for your neighborhood.
Plan to review, renew and refresh your data at least annually. Being prepared is a journey without end. As people move into and from your neighborhood, your data will need to be updated. What new skills would you like to develop together? CERT? First Aid? Stop the Bleed? Wilderness First Responder? Ask what else can you do together? Help each other with small repairs? Build a common victory garden? Build a shared compost facility to reduce your garbage costs as you create rich soil amendments? Create an alliance with nearby neighborhoods?
