Lacey City Council puts emergency preparedness in focus

The City of Lacey is stepping up its emergency preparedness push this month, with household planning and volunteer radio support anchoring the effort.

The Lacey City Council recognized September as Emergency Preparedness Month at its meeting on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. The proclamation urges residents to draft a family preparedness plan, assemble an emergency kit, and map an evacuation route — noting that the Pacific Northwest faces earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, weather events, and floods that can disrupt power, communications, and travel with little warning.

Amateur radio as a lifeline

Thurston County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (TCARES) provides volunteer radio communications when commercial systems are unavailable. TCARES President John Wruble told the council that amateur radio "does not rely on commercial power, the cellular service or any internet infrastructure."

TCARES staffs the radio room at Thurston County's Emergency Communications and Coordination Center, supports communications equipment at Lacey's emergency communications center, and handles radio communications for the Lacey Spring Fun Fair, the Lacey Fireworks Spectacular, and Lacey Holiday Lights.

Do something with it

The Thurston County Emergency Preparedness Expo — free, with CPR and AED training, a fire safety house, and free emergency kits — is set for Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lacey Community Center (6729 Pacific Ave SE). Planning resources are at Ready.gov.