[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6361315,"mediaKeyId","2170842-5fd01943b88e52cb4de2cd738f704597","parentId",2170842,"title","Committee discusses restoring 1610 AM emergency broadcast, amateur radio backup and evacuation planning","audioSeconds",589,"startMs",3263000,"endMs",3852000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170842-5fd01943b88e52cb4de2cd738f704597&start=3263&end=3852","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170842-5fd01943b88e52cb4de2cd738f704597/thumbnail_3263000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6361315/Sudden-Valley/Whatcom-County/Washington/Committee-discusses-restoring-1610-AM-emergency-broadcast-amateur-radio-backup-and-evacuation-planning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361315-2011c79c76f377af15e0bf1bf9ea7584/orig.mp4?Expires=1775542660&Signature=HlArpYVdIjSA5RfuLrtb-65vu31nOm3aWRuUeIkHdvntsbQHwK6-hLQhLiQEliGXwyHem-AkzMtTZhZUaZo5yAzJtsPlLirSKARMMM9L~OQkZp7tjT-uqoHzJYqQPCMewik9enHUZx4d4gYsy1Ee8yBzzeMZFHKSw2PvouQrXqlPeEqliLPYw61DbyHUb8vVTV2cWIumVNxDCVauf4WTN8JnudGuznqE9AaXqkhvSKM7n8e76lJjhg2NXMEk5pIfypFbd3crJjMweuFoxNO8fm-WY100zdL~XxceWwhAQrS9nSLA0sReigstW1E1S4RteTw1Pki2dj4zY-dE1erLRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sudden Valley, WA","date","2025-01-30T23:03:23Z","article","Members of the Sudden Valley Safety Committee spent substantial time on emergency communications and evacuation planning, including a presentation by Tom Fields, retired fire chief and emergency radio coordinator, on the community’s dormant 1610 AM emergency radio system and amateur radio capabilities.

Fields said the broadcast system and associated transmitters were purchased and maintained by the Southern Valley Amateur Radio Club but have not been active for roughly two years. “The radio is owned by the Southern Valley Amateur Radio Club,” he said, adding that the club bought the transmitters, antennas and controllers and that the broadcast license is held by South Whatcom Fire Authority. He described the system’s uses (weather, road conditions, evacuation instructions) and noted the system is independent of cell phone and internet service.

Fields asked the committee to consider three near‑term steps: (1) inventory community‑owned sheltering and communications equipment stored in association facilities; (2) identify interim locations to host the 1610 AM system while the new fire station is completed; and (3) pursue bylaws changes to make the safety committee a standing committee so long‑term planning and equipment stewardship survive board turnover.

Committee members urged action. Members suggested the committee seek temporary space (welcome center or other association space) and to consult maintenance and the general manager’s office about existing generators, cable runs, and where stored equipment (such as cots, blankets, a small generator and a printer) might be located. One member noted county coordination would be necessary for evacuation planning because major evacuation routes intersect county and city road networks.

No formal board action was taken in committee on these items at this meeting; the discussion produced several directions: compile an inventory of equipment and stored supplies, test the feasibility of interim broadcast space and antenna siting, and prepare a bylaws amendment to propose making the committee permanent. Committee members said they will report back with inventories and feasibility notes at the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sudden Valley Safety committee meeting 1/30/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Volunteers and the committee discussed restoring the 1610 AM community emergency broadcast, inventorying sheltering and radio equipment, and pressing the board to make the safety committee a standing body to keep emergency‑planning work from lapsing.","taxTitle","Sudden Valley, Whatcom County, Washington","taxId",72059,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6361320,"Committee hears Target Zero manager on school bus visibility; members to research beacon costs at Gate 1, 5 and 9",773,2295000,3068000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170842-5fd01943b88e52cb4de2cd738f704597&start=2295&end=3068","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170842-5fd01943b88e52cb4de2cd738f704597/thumbnail_2295000.jpg","/articles/6361320/Sudden-Valley/Whatcom-County/Washington/Committee-hears-Target-Zero-manager-on-school-bus-visibility-members-to-research-beacon-costs-at-Gate-1-5-and-9","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361320-208a9ff5f4b522e6247fbeaf32b5964a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775542660&Signature=O8XhvsQEXx3sB97tkSNlNdXhPCVgyI-dHriZcv8Ug9fZGN9o9gOs8yUn6iNa624lefbGug2ORmf4KbbEEEacQUFq~2DhIYuhgo4s3eCQNyiKR~QuI6LVNBTk41yWKzoAj8cHbekrAiJO00O6-Ic0vnkND80GhwD2EUIMqnViLazg5caraTJOu87ytC5mIoogf4ghRzUIqiDD1z4TBgLkwKJ2QzhlJv6A1n5ijctPsxtjCfffjl5QLsQ8R08MdqVUOfNNmP4P-cmPAS8nW1MMgAvgsC1OVyLifKLgKy9Dra-EROVopA8QTmL~6oWyg9RqdiJyfqOpxIjH5RHXn26lTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sudden Valley Safety Committee members heard from a Washington Traffic Safety Commission Target Zero manager about improving visibility at three high‑priority school bus stops and agreed to research costs, power requirements and permitting for timed beacons or flashing warning lights.

The committee identified Gate 1, Gate 5 and Gate 9 as the most vulnerable bus stops in the community and discussed solutions such as timed flashing beacons that operate during school‑run hours. Colleen described local conditions: “...there is a light across the street, for example, at Gate 9, but it is not enough to illuminate where the children are standing. It is very, very dark.”

Guest Carl Lanham, who identified himself as a Target Zero manager at the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and a former Bellingham Police traffic supervisor, said, “We approach it from 3 angles, enforcement, education, and engineering,” and recommended the committee prioritize engineering fixes (lighting and beacons) to make bus stops more visible to drivers.

Committee members instructed Colleen and other volunteers to:

- Gather cost estimates and vendor sources for timed beacons and school‑zone flashing lights; identify typical power requirements (solar vs. hard‑wired).
- Check permitting and county requirements for installing lights on county roads, and determine if county or state funding might be available for infrastructure.
- Confirm exact bus‑loading locations with Bellingham School District Transportation (Cindy Dennis) and WTA routing, to ensure any installations target the correct locations.

Members emphasized the need to prioritize stops with permanent shelters and stable routing so investment is not wasted if a stop moves. Committee staff also noted that security and maintenance roles are limited: the association has one security officer on duty and would need partnerships to maintain any equipment.

The committee did not take a formal vote on the issue; members asked volunteers to return with cost and permitting information for the next meeting.","A guest from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission urged the committee to focus on visibility and engineering fixes for three Sudden Valley school‑bus stops; the committee asked members to gather cost and permitting information for timed beacons or flashing lights.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6361325,"Sudden Valley safety committee approves planning for Firewise presentation and life‑jacket loaner display",868,354000,1222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170842-5fd01943b88e52cb4de2cd738f704597&start=354&end=1222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170842-5fd01943b88e52cb4de2cd738f704597/thumbnail_354000.jpg","/articles/6361325/Sudden-Valley/Whatcom-County/Washington/Sudden-Valley-safety-committee-approves-planning-for-Firewise-presentation-and-lifejacket-loaner-display","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361325-c7f16d6bacf68a39374bd90ec9ca8088/orig.mp4?Expires=1775542660&Signature=aeK6nhKfz7BLtbSB5Vb-sJ83bwx7Qd97jqGmaR25sV8TLLCteasFAnlHdL2NErHJobgZ~8fhBKKh9SNtfS7LYkw7Nch5aVRlRJc66Ss-GMtWDfJURkzYppUhL-W7kXRGnVyNCcSOdB4OXwO3q-SbV1XbhjmccHOpdmqJ1oEmzjtnH8TqAjjE4VVEDDY5dKbecXi52WG~ZpVXqMxvq1X0OlxZt2bCyLMucWdij1YdfAdaK9qskWjHXkjo-u3hYOnH0X62vJbt9XU4LXdAikpuEudRCoJ-cDVlxh7CDL5Sqq7p9DwTyj9VUyPHmiYqVEX4FRMuRO14rpN4pWbbBaSC7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sudden Valley Safety Committee on Thursday authorized committee members to plan a Firewise-style preparedness event and asked staff to develop a plan for a life‑jacket loaner/display at the marina.

The committee voted to recommend a coordinated Firewise presentation — featuring hands‑on demonstrations, a “go bag” demonstration, and question‑and‑answer time — and separately directed staff to return with a proposal for siting and installing a life‑jacket loaner station under the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) program.

Judy, who organized last year’s preparedness workshop, told the committee the May 15 event had strong attendance and “I think, it was estimated by Laurie that, we had maybe a hundred people” between the in‑room and Zoom audience. She said the session would have been more useful if speakers focused on hands‑on steps residents could take, and recommended repeating the video presentation by Robert Walters of the Whatcom Conservation District while adding practical demonstrations such as go‑bags.

Ted, who teaches kayaking and has worked on statewide water‑safety efforts, briefed the committee on cold‑water risks and the state life‑jacket loaner program. “State law requires all people to have a life jacket available,” he said, and described the DNR loaner program’s model: a simple covered rack with signage and a set of stamped life jackets that the state will replace if missing. He recommended starting with a dozen jackets at the marina and later expanding to other beaches.

Committee members discussed technical failures from last year’s workshop (audio and video problems), the suitability of speakers, and outreach channels such as the association’s e‑blast. Colleen noted the e‑blast is the association’s strongest communication channel and suggested producing a short instructional video to distribute with the event.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: “The safety committee recommends a Firewise‑type presentation, permission to proceed with planning a coordinated event, publicity, and review.” Outcome: approved by voice vote (voice votes recorded; names not recorded). Recorded voices said “Aye” during the roll call. Notes: motion moved and carried in committee.

- Motion: “Develop and return with a proposal for water safety, specifically for life‑jacket displays/loaner stations and related outreach; bring proposal back to committee for board consideration.” Outcome: approved by voice vote (voice vote recorded; count not specified). Notes: committee directed staff/members to research siting, power requirements, and potential storage/maintenance arrangements.

What the motions mean

The Firewise motion funds planning and outreach but does not appropriate money; committee members will confirm speakers, format, and audiovisual needs before presenting a budget to the board. The life‑jacket direction asks committee members to return with a concrete proposal describing location(s), a structure design, estimated lumber or installation costs, and coordination with DNR for jacket supply and replacements.

Next steps and implementation risks

Committee members volunteered to follow up with speakers and the Whatcom Conservation District; Ted offered to supply photographs and a sketch of a loaner station he observed at Wildcat Cove. Members flagged two implementation risks: (1) finding reliable and affordable AV solutions so recordings are usable for on‑demand viewing and (2) clarifying whether the association has budget authority to install and maintain loaner stations or whether a grant or recreation fund would be required.

The committee asked staff to return with firm dates, speaker confirmations and budget estimates before advancing either item to the board for formal approval.","The Sudden Valley Safety Committee voted to authorize planning for a Firewise-style preparedness event and asked staff to develop a proposal for a life‑jacket loaner/display program after hearing reports on last year’s preparedness workshop and on a state loaner program.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee discusses restoring 1610 AM emergency broadcast, amateur radio backup and evacuation planning

Committee hears Target Zero manager on school bus visibility; members to research beacon costs at Gate 1, 5 and 9

Sudden Valley safety committee approves planning for Firewise presentation and life‑jacket loaner display