Emergency Preparedness: Information and Resources
Bainbridge Island is a remarkable and resilient community. Living on an island provides a unique community, as well as the possibility of severe disruptions during an environmental disaster. Part of being resilient is to be prepared for potential disruptions, especially emergency situations.
We don’t know when a disaster may occur, but we do know that we can be prepared for it. On this page, you can find information and resource links about the BISD policies and procedures, as well as city and local preparedness efforts.
BISD Emergency Info Pages
BISD Emergency Info home page: https://bisd303.org/11060_4
BISD Emergency resources page, including links to BISD release emergency procedures, local & federal websites: https://bisd303.org/11063_4
BISD Emergency Plans, including some info about the 3-Day Family Reunification plan: https://bisd303.org/11064_4
BISD's Top Ten Emergency Contacts
When you fill out the BISD “ABC Process” to enroll / confirm enrollment, you fill out TWO separate Emergency Contact forms.
- In Step 1e: Emergency Contacts, you should fill in those people who can pick up your child under “everyday emergency” situations. The child’s parents/guardians are listed in Step 1c: Family Information, but they may not always be available to pick up. For example, there may be major ferry delays and you need someone to pick up your child. In this case, the school will go to the emergency contacts listed in Step 1e: Emergency Contacts.
- In Step 7: Emergency Release Form, you should list up to 10 people who you give permission to pick up your child after a moderate to extreme emergency. The people on this list should be people who are likely to be on the island, and can potentially house your child for several days. This list is used in the case of a disaster/emergency in which access to the island is cut off, or very limited, such as after a major earthquake in which the bridge is closed and ferry service is severely limited.
Family Reunification
In the event of a community-wide emergency, students may end up remaining at their school(s) for an extended period of time (as in days). If this were to happen BISD ( along with COBI and partners) have policies and procedures in place to care for children and reunite them with parents/guardians and/or authorized adults. The links above contain additional information.
The Family Reunification Plan is a 72-Hour (3-day) plan to reunite students with parents/guardians/approved adults in a safe and responsible way. The district will transport children who are not picked up to the COBI Family Reunification Center at BHS, Building 100, to continue care for children.
Find out more on the Bainbridge Prepares Child Safety and Reunification:
https://www.bainbridgeprepares.org/kids
Click below for a flyer describing the 72-hour (3-Day) reunification plan the BISD will implement after a major emergency.
2024-2025-2026 Supply Push
The PTOCC Emergency Preparedness Committee has been working hard to prepare all BISD classrooms for emergencies. With local community grants from Rotary of Bainbridge Island and the Bainbridge Community Foundation; and with an all-schools fundraiser, we have secured more than $26,000 in funds. These funds are being used, alongside PTO budgeted funds, to provide essential emergency supplies for all BISD schools and classrooms.
We will be finishing up the supply purchasing and distribution in fall 2025. If you are interested in helping or learning more, contact the PTOCC president (here) to get in touch with the committee leads.
Neighborhood Hubs
The City of Bainbridge Island (COBI), along with the Bainbridge Fire Department and Bainbridge Prepares have created Neighborhood Hubs to support the community in case of emergencies. The Neighborhood Hubs are where you can find information during and after emergencies. Click the links below, for more information.
Bainbridge Prepares
Bainbridge Prepares is a local organization with the aim:
Building island resilience through disaster preparedness, community response, and sustainable recovery.
The Great Shake Out ~ Annual Event
Every year, the 3rd Thursday in October, is the International “Great Shake Out” where schools, organizations, emergency management, and more can participate in a practice their earthquake drills. The BISD, Bainbridge Prepares, and other local groups participate.
The WA State Shake Out page has updates and information about participating; including signing up your family or organization to participate.
Check out the Shake Out Resources Page for great tips and tools.