Whatcom County leaders test their disaster response at FEMA training

PETER JENSEN

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A major earthquake didn't strike Whatcom County Wednesday, Aug. 20, but 70 local government, business and community leaders spent the day acting as if one did.

They're in northern Maryland for a week of training with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to prepare for disasters, including earthquakes.

Wednesday, they tested their response to an earthquake scenario, Bellingham Fire Chief Bill Boyd said. Thursday, they'll go through a day-after scenario to test how they begin recovering.

"It was a really neat team-building experience," Boyd said. "It's been a good learning experience for everybody."

Attendees are from city and county government, law enforcement, St. Joseph Hospital, Red Cross, Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and Industry, among others.

FEMA is covering airfare, travel and housing, Boyd said.

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