SHORELINE — Cots, blankets, hygiene kits and other “necessities” are officially located at Shoreline Community College campus in the event of an emergency.
A relief center on the college campus is the third of eight new sites to be located throughout King and Kitsap counties.
The supplies will provide short-term emergency relief to as many as 800 people. Representatives of the American Red Cross, the city of Shoreline and Shoreline Community College gathered for a dedication ceremony on Monday, April 24.
Deputy Mayor Maggie Fimia said the city is fortunate to have a relief center so accessible, adding “I hope we never have to use it.”
The supplies are located free-of-charge on plots of land, where a steel weatherproof building is constructed, for up to 30 years as part of an agreement, said Stephanie Schoo, director of marketing and communications for the local Red Cross. All shelters are located in areas where they can be easily accessed.
“We are always trying to find new ways to be as proactive as possible,” said Schoo.
The supplies are nonperishable and can therefore “stay for years,” said Schoo. Previously, supplies were located in large containers that were positioned throughout the county. Over time, however, water seeped into the containers and ruined the supplies. The new sites are a “longer-term solution,” Schoo said.
The collaboration came about after a Red Cross volunteer made a presentation to the Shoreline Emergency Preparedness Committee, said Schoo. The Red Cross is in the process of soliciting cities, schools and fire districts, parks departments, faith-based groups and large corporations for other locations throughout King County.
Two other relief centers were also recently located in Carnation and Federal Way, said Judy Holder, board chair of Red Cross in King and Kitsap counties.
In the event of an emergency, citizens would not directly access the supply center, School said, but Red Cross volunteers would retrieve the supplies for distribution at local shelters. A vehicle may also be parked in the shelter, she said, for dispersion of supplies in such an event.
The supply center was underwritten by a donation from the Joshua Green Foundation and cost about $27,500.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
