Summary

King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert joined community volunteers to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Carnation-Duvall Medical Reserve Corps on April 20.

Story

King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert joined community volunteers to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Carnation-Duvall Medical Reserve Corps on April 20.

The Medical Reserve Corps was the first of its kind established in King County, with the support of Councilmember Lambert and community volunteer Gene Laughlin. The Duvall resident was instrumental in starting the Carnation-Duvall Citizen Corps in 2003, developed and taught Community Emergency Response Team classes and organized drills, as well as assisting other communities to organize volunteer efforts. His coordination of these volunteer programs for eight years was recognized earlier this month at a ceremony in Olympia with a Governor’s 2011 Volunteer Service Award.

“Gene deserves a great deal of credit for helping this community come together and learn how to support one another in emergency situations,” said Councilmember Lambert.

The Carnation-Duvall Medical Reserve Corps is a community-based group of more than 80 volunteers, both with and without medical training. The Corps volunteers receive training and work with the American Red Cross to support the medical services of first responders and Public Health during an emergency or disaster. Their work is coordinated with the Carnation-Duvall Citizen Corps Council to improve emergency preparedness in the Lower Snoqualmie Valley.
“During emergencies in the valley, such as flooding and severe winter storms, access to the valley can be very difficult,” Councilmember Lambert noted. “The community here has taken the lead in working toward self-sufficiency, so that neighbors are prepared and ready to help each other survive and recover from disasters. They have established a model program that works and is being replicated around the county.”

The program also included Eastside Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Glenn Huffman emphasizing the need for volunteers to assist them in a major emergency event, including specific tasks and roles that are vital to the overall recovery of the community.

Councilmember Lambert shared her stories of dealing with flooding in California as well as in King County and the lessons learned from each event.
Timothy Doyle of the King County Office of Emergency Management reminded volunteers and community members to keep emergency supplies on hand, including a whistle that can be used to alert rescue workers and save lives. Other important resources include the Three Days, Three Ways plan and the Map Your Neighborhood plan that help citizens prepare for meeting the needs of their families and neighborhoods.

More information about the Carnation-Duvall Medical Reserve Corps is available at www.carnationduvallcitizencorps.org.

More information about emergency preparedness is available at:
• King County Office of Emergency Management, https://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/prepare.aspx
• Three Days, Three Ways, http://3days3ways.org
• Map Your Neighborhood, http://www.emd.wa.gov/myn/index.shtml