Island County’s emergency services personnel do an outstanding job on a routine basis and always step it up another notch when a major winter storm hits the island.

As first responders, firefighters and EMTs are there when ice and snow cause automobile accidents, trees fall on power poles and homes, and when pedestrians slip and fall on the ice. The only thing missing on Whidbey Island is the routine establishment of an emergency shelter or two for when the electricity goes out and people are freezing in their homes for a day or two or more, depending on where you live on the island.

Islanders have always prided themselves on being independent and self-sufficient during power outages and on helping their neighbors who might need some firewood, a trip to the store over dangerous roads or a can of soup. But as the population grows not everyone is fully prepared for a power outage. Our late-November storm resulted in at least a few people who would have taken advantage of an emergency shelter had one been available.

Island County’s Department of Emergency Management now takes the lead in setting emergency priorities and there have been widespread discussions about the need for emergency shelters. To date, however, it’s just a plan. No shelter has been established in recent memory, due, no doubt, to islanders’ independent streak.

However, it’s now 2006 and the island’s population is aging, medical needs are increasing, and the number of people unable to sustain themselves during a long power outage is increasing. By routinely opening a few shelters in scattered geographic areas, people would learn over time where to go when the lights are out and it’s freezing in the living room. Some might need to spend the night on a cot, while others might only need a warm place to sit and enjoy a hot drink before returning home to ride out the storm.

Public buildings such as fire stations and schools and churches with generators are the logical places to establish emergency shelters. Volunteers could no doubt be found to staff them at minimal cost until the power is restored. The shelters should be advertised in advance of any storm and locations given to the media during a storm. Word gets around pretty fast these days.

Emergency providers may well find that the demand for shelter is minimal, but it’s nice to know it’s there if needed. Besides, it’s good practice for when the really big one hits and a lot of people are in need of emergency shelter.