Supply center planned

SHORELINE — In the event of a natural disaster, Shoreline soon will have American Red Cross emergency supplies close at hand to help families in need.

The Red Cross is constructing supply centers for disaster relief in areas around King County, and Shoreline Community College was selected to house the second site.

Construction of the building is expected to begin in a few weeks and the structure should be completed and stocked by the end of the year, said Randy Stegmeier, executive director of facilities, capital projects, safety and security for SCC.

The location of the site, at the corner of Carlyle Hall Road and Greenwood Avenue N., makes it easily accessible from Aurora Avenue N.

“It makes sense to locate supplies for basic needs close to where they would be needed,” said Mike Egan, a Red Cross spokesman.

Egan said if an earthquake or another natural disaster were to strike the region, knocking out communication, transportation and potentially isolating communities, Red Cross volunteers would be able to provide those critically in need with supplies.

“These supplies are very specifically for people who cannot stay in their homes,” Egan said.

If a disaster were to affect a large portion of the population, many people would have family and friends close by who could help support them, Egan said.

But statistics show 10 to 15 percent of people in that circumstance would not have a place to go, he said, and these people are the ones the Red Cross would likely serve in shelters.

Egan said the Red Cross encourages families to be prepared to sustain themselves for at least 72 hours in the event of an emergency.

The supplies that will be housed in the 24-by-36-foot metal supply building could support more than 800 people. The building will house items needed for basic survival — 840 cots, 1,800 blankets, first aid supplies, communication kits, food and water — and also a stocked trailer that could be immediately transported to a shelter or area in need.

The first supply center has been built in Carnation, and a third center is in early planning stages in Auburn, Egan said.

Gail Marsh, the city of Shoreline’s emergency management coordinator, said the city’s Emergency Management Council pushed to have the Red Cross locate a supply center in Shoreline. The members’ work was integral in bringing the opportunity to the community, she said.

Shoreline Fire Department spokesperson Melanie Granfors said the fire department is excited to have the resource.

“We are thrilled with any effort to help citizens be prepared,” Granfors said.

Stegmeier said the college was excited to be a part of an opportunity to bring preparedness to the community.

“This is for the entire Shoreline community,” Stegmeier said. “We felt this was something the college could do as a show of support for emergency preparedness.”