Disasters are bound to happen. From the unpredictable, like earthquakes, to the slightly more predictable, such as sea level rise, planning for natural disasters in Seattle is, unfortunately, a matter not of "if" but of "when."

The idea of a disaster is scary, but talking about them shouldn't be taboo, says Seattle Neighbors Actively Prepare (SNAP), a new City of Seattle emergency management program. According to this group, it’s just about being ready for whatever comes next. Although we might not know when a disaster might happen, SNAP says we can all know what to do when it does.

SNAP is a program operated by the Office of Emergency Management that gives community members the information and tools they need to prepare themselves for action and survival in an emergency. Neighborhoods around Seattle are using the SNAP program to organize and recruit neighbors on their block.

Last Saturday morning, I attended a SNAP meeting in the Wallingford neighborhood. I learned that preparing for a disaster hasn’t really changed since I was younger; mostly it’s still about running drills and making kits.

What has changed is the way we relate to each other. We don’t know our neighbors the way we used to, and we are less inclined than ever before to turn to them for help.

The SNAP meeting attendees told me that in this way, emergency preparedness could also be a vehicle for community building and vice versa, because the better you know your neighbors, the easier it is to organize drills and community kits.

The Wallingford SNAP group will hand out informational materials at upcoming Wallingford events, such as the Kidde Parade on July 12 and the weekly Wednesday Farmers’ Market. Their challenge will be helping people get past the fear factor and get motivated to take action on an individual and neighborhood level.

To learn more about emergency preparedness or how to organize your neighborhood, visit the city’s Office of Emergency Management.

Curious about what should be in your emergency tool kit? Here are a few suggestions:

*A first aid kit, including prescription and non-prescription drugs
*Three-day supply of non-perishable food
*Clothing and bedding
*Sturdy shoes
*Rain gear
*Blankets or sleeping bags
*Toilet paper
*Personal hygiene items
*Mess kits
*Battery operated radio
*Flashlights
*Extra batteries
*Cash, traveler’s checks, change
*Non-electric can opener, utility knife

More suggested supplies can be found on the SNAP Family Disaster Supplies Kit list.