Community Emergency Communications Hub: Citywide Drill at Kirke Park on July 29

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On July 29, our local Community Emergency Communications Hub volunteers will join a citywide drill to practice for a major earthquake.  A Community Emergency Communications Hub is a pre-determined location where neighbors can gather in an emergency and share information and resources.  In our Whittier Heights neighborhood, the hub is right at Kirke Park.

Communications hub volunteers are trained with additional skills and can collect information on local situations, needs, and resources in the event of an emergency. They can relay information between Hubs, the Auxiliary Communications Service, or other locations so that it reaches those in need.

If you’d like to observe the drill, it is a free event at Kirke Park starting at 9 am.  For more information, visit: http://seattleemergencyhubs.org/

Overview of Community Police Academy Training Class by Loralee Deshazor

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Saturday, I attended a one day Community Police Academy Training Class and I am going to give you an overview of that class.  It covered :

CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS

The Constitutional Laws that govern police actions and decision.  That includes:

  • Constitutional Rights
  • Federal Laws
  • State Constitution
  • RCW (Regulatory Code of the State of Washington)
  • Seattle Municipal Code
  • Police Policy.

That is a whole lot to learn.  And it is something that a cop has to keep in mind and review constantly.

PATROL OPERATION AND PROCEDURES

How the precincts are set up and dispatched.  The equipment that a cop carries or packs.   Typically, they wear 30 pounds or more including the Kevlar vests.

ARSON/BOMB SQUAD OPERATIONS

We were able to tour the van and take a close look at the suit they wear and the robots they use.

EXPLOSIVE DETECTION DOG AND K9 TRACKING DOG DEMONSTRATIONS

An overview of the training each dog and handler has to go thru plus the mandatory testing that is required before to dog and handler can be certified.

 PRISM SIMULATOR (SHOOT/DON’T SHOOT)

This was, for me, a sobering experience.  The simulator is interactive and employs Glocks that are modified to use laser lights and not bullets.  During my sim, after attempted to get the subject to drop the knife,  I had about a second  to make the shoot/don’t shoot decision.

  • New recruits go thru initial testing for 3 – 6 months
  • Attend the Police Academy for 5 1/2 months
  • Post duty 6 weeks
  • Fields Training 3 1/2 months
  • Probation for 1 year

The DOJ and SPD agreed to a list of ‘markers’ that SPD would have to meet and that will be done sometime this summer.  At that point, the DOJ will begin a 2 year monitor of SPD and then the oversight will end.

The class was given at the Police shooting range in Tukwila.  SPD did a very good job of putting that class together and I found it well worth my time.  They also offer a more in depth Community training class that is an 11 week course, 4 hours a week in the evening.  They have a spring course and a fall course for those that are interested.  This class gave me a better understanding and a healthy respect for our police officers.

 

Community Emergency Communications Hubs Mtg, Kirke Park, 6/20

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Community Emergency Communications Meeting  at Kirke Park P-Patch on June 20th. Everyone is welcome to attend to find out about this program.

From the City: “The Seattle Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the P-Patch Community Gardening Program to designate all P-Patch Gardens as gathering places during an emergency (Community Emergency Hubs.)

“What is a P-Patch Community Emergency Hub and How Might I Participate?”

NORTH END SESSION: Kirke Park P-Patch
7028 9th Ave. NW, Seattle, WA, 98117
9th Ave NW & NW 73rd St.
Tuesday June 20th, 2017
6:30PM – 8 PM

For questions, feel free to contact P-Patch Staff member OEM Liaison Julie Bryan at: julie.bryan@seattle.gov , phone: 206-684-0540, or Seattle OEM Community Planning Coordinator Debbie Goetz at: debbie.goetz@seattle.gov, phone: 206-684-0517.”

Spring meeting 5/31, 7-8:30pm, Ballard Church

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Please join Whittier Heights Community Council for a spring meeting on Weds., 5/31, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Ballard Church, 1460 NW 73rd St. We need neighbors to participate! In addition to a raffle for a Barking Dog Alehouse gift certificate, highlights include:

  • Baker Park expansion and redesign is finally underway! A meeting at the park was held on May 20. The Seattle Parks & Rec project manager will be at our meeting to seek your input to the design of this improved park.
  • Plan for electing/re-electing WHCC officers.
  • Neighborhood annual garage sale Sat., 6/3.
  • Committee updates: Neighborhood Events, Growth & Development, Traffic & Pedestrian Safety, Crime Prevention.
  • Neighborhood growth updates.
  • Summer neighborhood events.
  • Discuss how to get more neighbors engaged!

Please participate! We’re only a neighborhood community to the extent that each of us engage in it! 5/31/17 meeting agenda Continue reading Spring meeting 5/31, 7-8:30pm, Ballard Church →