A New focus for 2026
‘The Plan’ this year is going to focus on what we have identified as our Achilles heel in our system to help facilitate your survival of a major catastrophe. Lahaina, North Carolina, and Los Angeles are our wake-up call to be sure we have it down right. For a large-scale disaster (e.g. Cascadia event) where the bridge is down – no cell or internet – we have divided it into 3 chronological phases.
Phase 1 = Time from the onset of the event until everyone on the island, including the FIEP Response Command and Operations people, are aware of the event and have secured their family, homes, and neighborhoods.
Phase 2 = Assemble and deploy the needed FIEP Response operational divisions, make contact with block coordinators, set up triage and address needs by priority.
Phase 3 = Once we establish communication and assistance from government agencies – work with them and distribute resources.
In the 11+ years we have been active, we have put a lot of time, resources and training into phase 2 and 3. We have kept up with the ever evolving advancements there.
Phase 1 is the most critical phase regarding life or death, success or failure and that is the one where we are lacking the most. Phase 1 is going to completely depend on individual families and neighborhood groups. The only practical communication during this phase will be within the neighborhoods and between neighborhood groups. Success at this phase will depend on individual household preparedness and planning, neighbors working together and working with other neighborhood groups, and having identified people with skills and resources (medical training, chainsaws, equipment, private wells, etc.). This year we will not be focusing on phase 2 or 3. Command, operations and communications will put all our efforts to phase 1 preparedness. All should be aware of the new Emergency Preparedness website (fi-read.org) which contains guides for your preparation. Any resources that are needed we will acquire.
THE FOUNDATION OF THE PLAN IS INDIVIDUAL FAMILY PREPAREDNESS. Government emergency services will be delayed, or not available at all, depending on the scale of an event. Also, your Emergency Response Team has no food, nor water, and will need some time, maybe days, for some functions, to assemble its volunteers to implement response. That’s why we need to have 30 days of food and medications, and as much water as can be stored. We have also learned about the importance of neighborhood preparedness and response to a catastrophic event. Having neighborhoods working as skilled units is recognized as an important step to help us survive an extended isolation. Therefore, managing and surviving a major catastrophe is very much dependent on individual Fox Island residents.
COMPONENTS OF THE PLAN
SELF SUFFICIENCY – We have made, and published on Facebook and our website, access to information as well as videos that help individual families learn how to prepare for, and respond to, a major event.
NEIGHBORHOOD TEAMS – We have developed response guidebooks for the neighborhood Block Coordinators as quick guides for reacting to an emergency and preparing their neighborhood residents to work as a team. We also have Fox Island Family “how-to” items available on fi-ready.org for every family on Fox Island in case they are not in a Block Coordinator neighborhood.
COMMUNICATION TEAM – Communication is one of the most critical elements of managing emergency response. We have ongoing development of intra and inter neighborhood communication aiding neighbors in using their resources and sharing resources with other neighborhoods.
MEDICAL TEAM – Fox Island has several medical professionals (physicians, PA’s, NPA’s, etc.) that have volunteered to participate in an emergency. We also have storage of medical triage equipment on-island in multiple locations, to ensure supplies are available for use at the EOC (Emergency Operations Command) in the Nichols Community Center medical triage room (auditorium).
SHELTER TEAM – We have an on-island, offsite storage facility with cots and bedding available to temporary shelters (the Heart Church and United Church of Christ). No food will be available there.
NEIGHORHOOD WATCH TEAM – Some of our Neighborhood Watch volunteers will be scanning neighborhoods in an emergency and then relaying neighborhood information/needs to the Emergency Operations Command (EOC) center. They will also help provide emergency transport.
MARINE TEAM – The Fox Island Yacht Club is working with us to coordinate the use of volunteer boaters for emergency medical evacuation and other marine transport.
INFRASTRUCTURE TEAM – We are fortunate to have resident licensed Civil Engineers to evaluate structures before entering, post-event. We have volunteers for clearing roads and posting ‘danger zones, and we are partnered with Fox Island Mutual Water Association on water delivery.
Ten plus years into THE PLAN we are still learning. We are a reputable operation respected throughout the county and the State. We have secured, and spent, grants from both for support materials. We will continue working to acquire resources as needed to improve our capability. Volunteering is easy. Go to our website, fi-eady.org, where you will see links for volunteering.
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