Emergency Shelter Training Saturday In Lakewood

Approximately 80 volunteers and support personnel are gathering at the Pierce Community College at Fort Steilacoom on Saturday, July 16 for to train and exercise on how to open and support community emergency shelters in Pierce County when disasters strike.

The third annual Pierce County Community Emergency Shelter Summit begins at 8 a.m. at 9401 Farwest Dr. SW in Lakewood in the Health Education Building. The morning sessions focus on training and information-sharing, such as how to provide emotional support in disasters, the importance of including people with access and functional needs in our planning process, emergency shelter protocols, HAM radio operations, lessons learned and first aid. Participants will then have a chance to put these skills into action with an emergency shelter exercise after lunch.

Shelter team volunteers represent different faith-based and community organizations willing to open shelters for people displaced during disasters such as severe weather, flooding or an earthquake.  These community emergency shelters work closely with Pierce County Department of Emergency Management to best respond to the needs in our county.