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Fife police present emergency-preparedness kit guidance; council asks about water access and local resources
Summary
Police services specialist Danny Davis Trichel briefed the Fife City Council on emergency-preparedness kits, recommending residents keep a basic 3–7 day kit (ideally 14 days) and describing free resources and city employee kits. Council members asked about water access, purification and other practical measures.
The Fife City Council received an emergency-preparedness briefing Monday from Police Services Specialist Danny Davis Trichel, who urged residents to assemble simple, staged emergency kits and described new online resources the city has published.
Davis Trichel — who said the city’s emergency management information is coordinated through the police department’s new web page — presented three kit ideas: a 5-gallon “bucket” kit for home storage, a small child‑sized mini kit that fits in a school backpack, and a personal “go bag” kept in a vehicle. He recommended citizens plan for 3–7 days of supplies and said the ideal target, where possible, is 14 days.
He listed practical items: flashlights and extra batteries, phone chargers, a battery or hand-crank radio for weather updates, extra medications, water and nonperishable food, first-aid supplies, blankets/tarps, whistles, pocket knives, hygiene items, and pet supplies. Davis Trichel also described low-cost options such as LifeStraws, purification tablets and non-electric water pumps for drawing from jugs.
Council members asked several operational questions. Council Member Wolfram asked about access to the Puyallup River as a water source; Davis Trichel and other council members emphasized the need to use treated municipal water where possible and noted portable purification options for other sources. Council Member Halsey suggested filling bathtubs and water heaters as short-term water stores; Davis Trichel confirmed municipal hot-water tanks and bathtubs can be used as an emergency water source but noted households should be cautious about drinkability and use purification methods when necessary.
Davis Trichel said the city had produced short employee kits for desks (wind-up flashlight, mask, mini first-aid and water), a backpack kit for vehicles with sturdy shoes attached, and a downloadable resource collection on the city’s emergency management page. He noted staff had activated the web page as a banner during regional windstorms to provide timely shelter and safety information.
Council members and staff highlighted neighborhood-level actions — forming block watches, ensuring families have plans and checking special needs (medications, allergies, and pet needs). The presentation closed with council appreciation and staff confirmed the web links and additional resources would remain consolidated on the city site for residents to access.
Why it matters: Staff framed the guidance as practical, low-cost steps residents can take immediately to improve personal resilience during storms, earthquakes and other disruptions; the city is consolidating resources online to reduce confusion during incidents.
What’s next: Staff will maintain the emergency management web page, continue targeted outreach (block watch presentations, business and school outreach) and distribute kit examples in community events.
