Personal Preparedness

Wildfire
Protect Your Home and Community

Wildfires are a growing threat in our region, and taking proactive steps to prepare your home can make all the difference. PEP-C, in partnership with the Gig Harbor Fire Department, encourages residents to assess their wildfire risk and implement key safety measures. By making simple adjustments to your property, you can help protect your home and improve overall community resilience.

Get Wildfire Ready with a Free Home Assessment

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers a Wildfire Ready Home Assessment to help homeowners understand their specific risks and take targeted action. By answering a few simple questions, you can receive expert guidance on defensible space, fire-resistant landscaping, and structural improvements to reduce wildfire hazards. Learn more and sign up for an assessment here.

Pierce County Dept. of Emergency Management (PCDEM)

Teams
These teams usually become active days after a major incident. People with EWCs may be asked by Pierce County to deploy anywhere within the county. Volunteers are always free to decline any task or deployment. The EWIC is required because it shows that the volunteer has passed four required FEMA courses and has passed a background check. Once deployed by the County and acting under a numbered mission, the volunteer is covered by the County's liability insurance. This is extremely important.

To Get the Pierce County Emergency Workers' Certificate (EWIC)

1 - You must be affiliated with a recognized organization to get an EWIC. PEP-C is such a recognized organization.
2 - Pass FEMA's National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) courses ICS 100, ICS 200, ICS 700 and ICS 800. These are required by the County and can be taken online. They can usually be completed in an evening or two.  Courses can be found here: https://training.fema.gov/nims/
3 - Once you have passed all four FEMA ICS courses, send proof of your passing to the PEP-C Chair at chair.pepc@gmail.com. Scanned images are best.
4 - The Chair will then email you the Pierce County EWC application. A photo is not required, despite what the form says. Complete the application and return it via email to chair.pepc@gmail.com.
5 - Your completed application packet (four ICS courses and application) will then be submitted to Pierce County for vetting and approval.  The EWC is valid for three years.
6 - Once you have your EWC, let PEP-C know which teams interest you. You may be on more than one if you choose.  If you have an idea for a team, share your ideas with us.

HAM Radio Training

See Calendar for Ham Classes

Ham Radio Ops

PARET
PENINSULA AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY TEAM

Telecommunications systems can only be as reliable as the ground that holds their fibers and facilities. Phone lines work great (for talking, faxing and emailing) but they're vulnerable given the advent of a major disaster such as an earthquake or volcanic eruption. That's when HAMs, such as Mark Yordy, spring into action.

Tents, food, portable HAM radio equipment, and batteries are all that PARET needs to establish a communications headquarters to adequately serve local emergency response teams if the telecommunications system fails. PARET can not only open critical verbal communication links, but can also transmit computer data via radio waves in much the same way as a modem but over a somewhat less encumbered route.

The Emergency Operations Center at Pierce County's Fire District 5 Headquarters (on Bujacich Drive in Gig Harbor) has a self contained HAM radio communications station that is manned by club members during drills as well as a variety of emergency situations. Pierce County residents are fortunate to have a strong network of trained communicators that work closely and regularly with local authorities.

 PARET Participates in International Test

On June 22-23, 2002, PARET was set up at Volunteer Park to test their readiness to serve as a community lifeline. During this annual international amateur radio operator's emergency field day, about 20 club members communicated with nearly 3000 similar outposts throughout North and South America.
For more information about PARET, or local HAM radio licensing classes, email us at...