The Godzilla Factor: Would Your Business Survive a Natural Disaster?
\n \;The Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce will host a panel of experts on dealing with emergency preparedness on July 6\, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.\, at Twin Lakes Golf &\; Country Club. \;
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\nCaptain Shane Smith and Chief Vic Pennington\, South King Fire &\; Rescue join Dr. Britta Ricker\, assistant professor of Urban Studies\, University of Washington Tacoma to the panel. \; Smith will present information about FEMA&rsquo\;s regional response to national disasters while Ricker will discuss using technology and drone data in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
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\n&ldquo\;The same precautions that you&rsquo\;d take at home to ensure your safety and survival in a natural disaster are much the same as for businesses\, churches and other organizations\,&rdquo\; said Bellinghausen\, a 30-year veteran of South King Fire &\; Rescue.
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\n&ldquo\;Before making a plan for how you/your business would react after a fire\, flood or another regional emergency\, several questions need to be addressed. How would you communicate with your employees? Do you have off site back up of your vital business information?&rdquo\; he added.
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\nAbout the speakers
\nChief Vic Pennington is a 41 year veteran in the fire service currently serving as Assistant Chief in charge of the \;training division of South King Fire &\; Rescue. \; Chief Pennington is also an elected council member in the city of Des Moines. \;
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\nShane Smith
\nShane began his career in 1991 as a professional firefighter in Southern California and a member of the Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR) departments. After moving to Southern Idaho he worked as a firefighter\, paramedic and team leader of his department&rsquo\;s Special Operations Team. Smith and his family moved to Western Washington in 2003\; he is currently a captain assigned to the Training Division. An active member and current team leader of South King Fire&rsquo\;s Technical Rescue Team\, he is also a member of the Washington State FEMA USAR Task Force and holds the position of rescue squad officer.
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\nDr. Britta Ricker is a tenure track assistant professor of Urban Studies at the University of Washington Tacoma. She holds a PhD and MS in Geography and a BS in Geography and International Politics and confesses to being infatuated with maps and mapmaking since she was a child. Ricker may be found trail running in and around Tacoma when not at the gym. A Maryland native\, she has a five-year-old daughter.
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\nAbout South King Fire &\; Rescue
\nSouth King Fire &\; Rescue encompasses 43 square miles and includes the cities of Federal Way and Des Moines along with portions of Auburn and unincorporated King County.
\nTheir 135 professional firefighters are spread between 7 fire stations staffing 6 engines 3 aid cars and a Ladder truck 24 hours a day\, in addition they operate 3 special operations teams focused on technical rescue\, hazardous materials response and Marine fire and rescue.
\nSKFR has the earned the best \;fiscal and insurance ratings of any department in the state\, they are led by Dr. Al Church \;and are governed by 5 elected fire commissioners.