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Resident urges council to include specific medical-device needs in emergency plans after Spokane fires
Summary
A North Bend resident whose sister was evacuated from a Spokane fire told the council that assisted-living evacuations need protocols for medical devices and clearer communication channels to reach evacuees and loved ones.
During public comment, Sandy Naft described her family's experience after recent Spokane-area fires and asked the council to consider disabled and medically dependent residents when updating North Bend’s emergency response plan. Naft said her sister, who uses a deep-brain‑stimulation (DBS) device that requires regular charging, was evacuated and transported to a convention center where staff did not locate the device, and that her family could not reach anyone inside for two days.
"They failed to take that because it wasn't sitting with her meds, and this is a life saving device," Naft said, urging the city to build triage and communication protocols so those with specialized medical needs are not overlooked during rapid evacuations. Council members and staff acknowledged the concern: a council member noted King County's wildfire-ready tool kit is available, and Mayor and staff said they would take Sandy's points into account when refining the city's plans.
Council discussion emphasized the need to coordinate communication early in evacuations and to include vulnerable populations in planning; staff were encouraged to consider explicit checklists for assisted‑living and other congregate settings.
