One vital service to our community is the Kitsap County Trusted Messenger Network. The goal of this service is to overcome barriers that prevent some Kitsap County residents from receiving critical, potentially lifesaving emergency alerts. Some may lack access to technology or confidence using it, while others face language barriers, or depend on others for their support and care.
In an emergency, timely and accurate information saves lives, protects property and the environment and prevents rumors and misinformation from spreading. Building the Trusted Messenger Network is our way of making sure no one misses out from receiving this vital information, and that everyone gets the message quickly. When it’s provided by someone who is known and trusted in the community, it likely to be heard, understood, and acted upon.
A video with an overview of how to sign up and participate in the TMN will be added soon.
Background
While anyone can sign up for KitsapALERT, we need Trusted Messengers to help break down the barriers that prevent some people from receiving lifesaving notifications. Trusted Messengers are local volunteers who like helping people, know a circle of Kitsap residents unable to receive alerts on their own, use a smartphone, and are passionate about community safety. If this sounds like you, here’s what you need to know:
When the Network is activated, this team of Trusted Messengers will relay emergency alerts from the Department of Emergency Management. Alerts could be for natural disasters, severe weather events, a dangerous person, or other emergencies. Alerts are brief and to the point. They describe the danger, including its location, and steps to take to remain safe. They might say to evacuate, stay inside, stay out of the area, or prepare for severe weather like extreme heat, below freezing temperatures or an ice storm. Such emergencies may impact a small section of a neighborhood or the entire County. When alerts come through, it’s up to each Trusted Messenger to relay the information via emails, phone calls, social media, or other appropriate methods.
The alert may need to be translated or rephrased so that it is clearly understood by those receiving the message.
Requirements for Trusted Messengers:
- Committed to building and sustaining relationships with people who need assistance receiving emergency alerts.
- Participate in sending out quarterly test notifications and send to KCDEM the number people to whom the test was relayed and the number of people who confirmed receiving the test.
- Respond promptly to occassional emails from KCDEM.
- Smartphone user
- Eighteen years of age and older.
- Committed to passing on alerts promptly in a real-life emergency.
Volunteer to be a Trusted Messenger at www.kcowa.us/TMNregister.
This simple application form will ask for your name, cell phone number, email address and a description of the group of people you want to support. (Text messages from your cell phone and emails are the two ways you’ll receive emergency notifications from Kitsap County Emergency Management.) Once you’ve filled in that information, hit the “submit” button and your information will be received by the program administrator. It’s also your commitment to actively relay emergency alerts to your circle of influence. Trusted Messagers will be asked each year to renew their commitment to the program on an annual basis.
TPN News
TPN Events
Helpful Links
- Micro-Island Catastrophic Event Playbook
- Disaster Ready Washington (source: WA DEM)
- Community Points of Distribution Planning A Guide for Washington Communities (PDF) (source: WA DEM)
- Cascadia Rising 2022 (source: WA DEM)
- Distribution Management Plan Guide (PDF) (source: FEMA)
