The Community Coalition of Stanwood-Camano has received funding to conduct a comprehensive Disaster Needs Assessment for the Stanwood-Camano community. This project will identify current gaps in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts, with a focus on ensuring the region can support all residents—especially vulnerable populations—before, during, and after a disaster.
Our region faces growing threats from natural disasters such as wildfires, flooding, and severe weather events. While individual organizations have emergency plans in place, there is no coordinated, community-wide assessment or strategy that brings together nonprofits, local governments, emergency services, and the residents they serve. The absence of unified planning increases risk, slows response, and leads to unequal distribution of critical resources during a crisis.
The Disaster Needs Assessment will address this gap through a collaborative process facilitated by the Community Coalition of Stanwood-Camano. The scope of the project includes:
Community Engagement:
We will convene a series of listening sessions, workshops, and interviews with key stakeholders including first responders, health providers, schools, nonprofits, tribal representatives, faith-based groups, local governments, and residents with lived experience of disaster-related impacts.
Data Collection and Analysis:
The project will compile both qualitative and quantitative data to assess current capacities, identify resource gaps, and highlight community strengths. This includes evaluating communication strategies, evacuation plans, shelter accessibility, and coordination mechanisms among organizations.
Equity Focus:
Particular attention will be paid to the needs of historically underserved and at-risk populations such as low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities, non-English speakers, and those experiencing homelessness.
Report and Recommendations:
Findings from the assessment will be compiled into a comprehensive report that includes actionable recommendations to improve disaster preparedness, inter-agency coordination, and equitable resource allocation. This report will serve as a foundational tool for future funding requests, policy planning, and community-wide emergency readiness efforts.
Partnership Building:
The process itself will strengthen local partnerships and communication pathways among service providers, government agencies, and community members, setting the stage for ongoing collaboration in emergency preparedness.
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