About PREP

Point Roberts Emergency Preparedness (PREP) promotes and supports emergency preparedness in and for Point Roberts, Washington.

PREP serves as a resource to all those in Point Roberts who are interested in learning how to prepare for potential natural disasters and emergency situations.

PREP was formed by local residents in 2005 as a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation incorporated under the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act (24.03 RCW). PREP is registered with the Washington Secretary of State as a charitable organization and recognized under Section 501 ( c ) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Why is PREP needed?

As a pene-exclave of the U.S. in the state of Washington on the southernmost tip of the Tsawwassen peninsula, south of Vancouver, BC, the community of Point Roberts must contend with unique challenges in the face of natural disasters and emergencies.

Point Roberts' beautiful, scenic, quiet, remote location is normally a joy to residents and visitors alike. In a disaster emergency, however, its geographic isolation from the rest of Whatcom County means it could take a very long time for outside help to arrive.

Responders from Bellingham and elsewhere would face major challenges – including two border crossings – just getting to Point Robertson and could be overwhelmed by demands of a larger more proximate population in need elsewhere in Whatcom County. Outside assistance might come from Delta, B.C., but they too would likely face major challenges responding first to their own population’s needs before assisting Point Roberts.

It's impossible to predict if, when and what type of disaster may occur that could adversely affect Point Roberts and possibly a very large surrounding cross-border area. Severe wind, tidal flooding, atmospheric rivers, earthquakes, tsunamis, forest fires, pandemics, and terrorist events are all possible disasters. Extreme heat and cold also pose challenges.

Following a disaster affecting Point Roberts, we may have to be completely self-sufficient and self-reliant. While households and individuals can and should do much to prepare for an emergency, community-wide preparedness and mutual assistance will make us all safer until outside resources arrive should the Border be shut down. Seasonal residents from Canada visiting their cabins and second homes may be unable to evacuate to or through Canada or to get assistance from overwhelmed Canadian resources. Everyone needs to be prepared.

What is PREP’s role?

Working with other volunteer groups as well as public agencies, PREP informs and educates Point Roberts residents on how to prepare themselves for emergencies - - earthquakes, wildfires, tsunamis, windstorms, floods, and other natural disasters.

PREP offers information resources, educational workshops, and training opportunities for those who are interested and want to learn about being prepared for emergencies. At the community level, PREP encourages and helps arrange for Certified Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to be offered in Point Roberts by the Emergency Management Division of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s office. Once trained, and under the direction of Whatcom County Fire District 5 (WCFD5), CERT members are ready to safely and efficiently assist others in the event of natural disasters and emergencies impacting Point Roberts. This support is particularly valuable in situations that professional responders are not immediately available to help.

Because communications are essential during emergencies and natural disasters, PREP sponsors the Point Roberts Amateur Radio Club which provides emergency communications services in support of WCFD5, the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Auxiliary Communications Service, and the Point Roberts CERT Team.

PREP participates in Thunder Run, a regional training exercise designed to test and improve the use of general aviation in emergency scenarios, focused on food collection and aerial distribution to support food banks across Washington State and the West Coast.

To learn about PREP happenings, check for announcements on social media, the All Point Bulletin or email prepgroup17@gmail.com to join PREP’s contact list.

Who is involved in PREP?

PREP is powered entirely by volunteers and warmly welcomes participation by Point Roberts residents be they year round or part time.

A board of directors is responsible for planning and managing PREP’s activities, fostering the involvement of volunteers, ensuring that PREP has sufficient financial resources, and meeting its charitable reporting obligations to state and federal agencies.

Community collaboration is central – PREP works closely with Whatcom County Fire District 5 and other organizations to achieve its goals. These organizations include the Point Roberts Amateur Radio Club, Point Roberts Park & Recreation District and Point Roberts Food Bank and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management (WCSO DEM).

For information on how to get involved in PREP’s important work, see: Volunteer