Learn how to help after big earthquake, other disaster

A meeting Monday, May 23, will explain how people can staff a mobilization center after a disaster, such as a major earthquake that’s the focus of a regional exercise in June.

The informational meeting about the Volunteer Mobilization Center will be 6 to 8 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living, 2224 Yew Street Road. The VMC is a program of the Volunteer Center of Whatcom County, working with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.

At such a center, trained volunteers would organize members of the public who want to help in the recovery after a disaster by sending them to where they are most helpful and most needed.

On June 7-8, Bellingham and Whatcom County agencies will participate in a Northwest drill called “Cascadia Rising.” Emergency planners and other groups will test their communications and plans for responding to a magnitude 9.0 earthquake off the Northwest coast, with subsequent aftershocks and a deadly tsunami. A mock Volunteer Mobilization Center will be set up during the June exercise.

For the center to be effective, a pool of volunteers is needed to staff it in shifts. People who can’t attend the May 23 meeting but who are interested in helping should contact Mel Monkelis at 360-734-3055 or email MelM@WhatcomVolunteer.org.

This story was originally published May 21, 2016 at 1:39 PM with the headline "Learn how to help after big earthquake, other disaster."