To the editor:

Seeking islanders with health care training and experience — who are willing to share those capabilities with the community in the event of a major earthquake disaster in our region.

Most of us are fully aware of the risk of a potential mega quake in our future. Being prepared is essential to minimizing the impacts. Our worst-case scenario would include the loss of the Agate Pass Bridge and ferry dock which could mean we’d be virtually on our own as a community for up to seven days.

The city of Bainbridge Island and the fire district have lead roles in these preparations and have been developing comprehensive plans for emergency response. These include the identification and preparation of locations for medical and housing assistance in the likelihood existing clinics/urgent care locations will be damaged as well as homes becoming uninhabitable. These sites will require staffing, equipment and supplies to provide care for injured and displaced members of our community

The purpose of this letter is to encourage island residents who have relevant training and experience to make their presence and skill sets known in advance. Once we are faced with the potential chaos of a disaster of this magnitude there will be no time to align skill sets with need; this must be accomplished in the near term! This includes not just the obvious physicians and nurses, but all the skill sets found in health care today from the lab, to the back office, to the front office, etc.

As a citizen volunteer with this effort I am assisting with the identification and categorization of community volunteers. If you are interested email Amber Richards at arichards@bainbridgewa.gov; she will respond with a brief questionnaire. If you are a member of the Kitsap County Medical Reserve Corp please indicate that in your email.

Meanwhile, make thorough personal plans and stay tuned for the comprehensive plan being developed.

BOB FORTNER

Bainbridge Island