Montlake Emergency Hub

What is an Emergency Hub?

Emergency Hubs are gathering spots located across Seattle where neighbors have organized and are prepared to “activate” if communications go down after a large disaster. Hubs help their communities organize and support one another until services are restored.

What is an Emergency Hub NOT?

A Hub is NOT a place to get food or water after a disaster.  (In a perfect world, each household would have at least two weeks of food and water stored within their home.)  Hub volunteers have gear to help the community organize and support our neighbors in meeting their basic needs until help can arrive from outside the impacted area.  

Seattle Emergency Hub Network

The Seattle Hub network was started in 2004 as grassroots, all-volunteer group.  No one is paid for the work we do, but some of our gear is funded through Seattle's Department of Neighborhoods grant program.

Video of Emergency Hub Event

Mission of the Emergency Hub program

  • Encourage individual and household preparedness.

  • Share materials that make your preparedness journey clearer and easier.

  • Plan and train with our community to collectively increase disaster readiness.

When will we need our Emergency Hub?

Hopefully, NEVER. 

The purpose is for the Hub to be activated as an early response after a large earthquake, flood, fire, or disaster that affects us locally. This is based on the assumption that outside help would not reach us for 96 hours minimum. There will not be enough city workers and resources to help everyone, so neighbors will have to rely on each other during the weeks that follow.

Who is part of our Emergency Hub?

Everyone!  You might have a need that needs to be met or a resource that can be shared.

Where is Montlake Emergency Hub?

Seattle Public Library Montlake Branch

(the Hub is on E McGraw St)

Address: 2401 24th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112  -

How can I get involved?

Please JOIN us!

What will I gain from Volunteering?

  • Emergency Preparedness will help you protect yourself and your family, which will give you peace of mind.

  • Your Hub connection will let you view the preparedness picture of the whole city.

  • Collaborating with neighbors BEFORE a disaster strikes can help make our neighborhood more resilient AFTER disaster.

  • Practicing preparedness with neighbors is empowering – and can even be fun!

Prior to disaster, what do Hub volunteers do?

  • Learn how to respond to various scenarios that might occur in our neighborhood after a disaster such as earthquake.

  • Practice some of the 10 basic jobs that are needed for a functioning Hub.

  • Practice setting up a Hub and using the supplies we have gathered.

  • Reach out to organizations in the neighborhood to coordinate emergency plans with them.

  • Participate in other important trainings offered to the Hubs, based on your interests.

In case of disaster, what will Hub volunteers do?

The Montlake Emergency Hub will set up a station outside of Montlake Library by the small parking lot on McGraw St after an actual disaster as a communication hub to post emergency bulletin from the city, offer health and safety information, share resources, organize volunteers and collect and post information from the neighborhood.

The Hub will be a place for neighbors to come to find who has supplies or services they need, and for neighbors to post about what services or extra supplies they have to share.  They Hub will also have reliable information about how to deal with issues like water quality, food safety, and waste.

Volunteers will work in shifts.  If you are able, you will likely be called upon to staff the Hub along with other volunteers.  The Hub will be temporary; once emergency services arrive, our immediate role will be over, likely within days.

What can I do?  - Be Prepared!

Prepare for the challenges of life after a disaster — for residents that includes a necessities “kit” of food, water, medications, pet supplies, etc. for a 10–14day period plus a family communications plan and a smaller kit for your workplace and car.

  Useful Videos:

 Learn More from Seattle Emergency Management

 

Sign up or add # to your phone

Alert Seattle:

Alert Seattle is the city’s official Free emergency notification system. Sign up online to receive customized alerts by text message, email or voice message and on social media.

 

Emergency Numbers:

  • Police, Fire, Explosion hazard or Health Emergency: Dial 911

  • Non-Emergency Police: (206) 625-5011 (dial 2 and then 8 to reach dispatcher)

  • Non-Emergency Fire or Explosion Hazard: (206) 386-1400

  • Harbor Patrol: (206) 684-4071

Montlake Emergency Hub event calendar

Urban Survival Skills Fair - Saturday, April 25 noon – 3pm @ Montlake Community Center

Mark your calendar!  Stop by and learn various specific skills - how you can prepare for an emergency!