Help Us Build a More Prepared Kingsgate 3&4
- Kingsgate 3&4
- Jul 23
- 6 min read
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
At Kingsgate 3&4, we've always been a neighborhood that looks out for one another. Whether it's lending a hand during a storm, checking in on a neighbor, or coming together for community events, our greatest strength has always been the people who live here.
Living in the Pacific Northwest also means preparing for the unexpected. Earthquakes, severe windstorms, extended power outages, flooding, and other emergencies can occur with little warning. While our first responders do an incredible job protecting our community, a major regional disaster could delay emergency response for hours—or even days.
During those critical first hours, our neighbors may be our most valuable resource.
That is why the Kingsgate 3&4 HOA is launching our Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Program, and we're inviting every household to be part of it.
Why Are We Conducting This Survey?
The Emergency Preparedness Survey is designed to help us better understand the strengths and needs of our community before an emergency occurs.
By participating, you'll help us:
Identify households that may need assistance following a disaster.
Learn what emergency skills and equipment already exist within Kingsgate 3&4.
Recruit volunteers interested in helping neighbors during emergencies.
Develop a neighborhood communication network.
Strengthen our community's ability to respond until professional emergency services are available.
This isn't about replacing emergency responders—it's about neighbors helping neighbors when they need it most.
Building a Neighborhood Emergency Network
This survey is the first step in creating a Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Program for Kingsgate 3&4.
Our long-term vision is to organize the neighborhood into approximately 10–12 smaller sections, each consisting of about 25–30 nearby homes. Organizing the neighborhood this way makes it easier for neighbors to know one another and allows information and assistance to be shared more effectively during an emergency.
Each section would be supported by a volunteer Block Captain and, as the program grows, an Assistant Block Captain.
Many neighborhoods throughout Washington have successfully adopted this approach because it builds stronger community connections and creates a practical, neighborhood-based emergency response network.
What Is a Block Captain?
A Block Captain is simply a volunteer neighbor—not an emergency responder—who serves as a point of contact for a small section of Kingsgate 3&4 during a major emergency.
If it is safe to do so, a Block Captain may:
Check on nearby households following a significant event.
Help identify residents who may need assistance.
Share important information from the HOA or emergency officials.
Report major hazards such as blocked roads, downed trees, flooding, or gas leaks.
Help connect neighbors with available volunteers and resources.
Serve as a communication link between their neighborhood section and the HOA Emergency Preparedness Team.
Block Captains will never be expected to perform rescues, fight fires, provide medical care beyond their training, or place themselves in unsafe situations.
Their role is simply to help neighbors stay informed, connected, and organized until professional emergency responders are able to reach our community.
Every Neighbor Can Help
Not everyone wants to be a Block Captain—and that's perfectly okay.
Emergency preparedness depends on many different people with many different skills.
You may be able to help by:
Checking on nearby neighbors.
Offering transportation.
Providing first aid or CPR (if trained).
Lending a generator or portable power station.
Helping clear fallen branches after a storm.
Sharing tools or equipment.
Assisting with communication.
Whether you have specialized training or simply a willingness to lend a hand, every contribution helps make Kingsgate 3&4 stronger and more resilient.
What Information Are We Collecting?
The survey takes approximately five minutes to complete and asks about:
Household emergency assistance needs.
Emergency preparedness.
Emergency skills and certifications.
Equipment that may be available during an emergency.
Volunteer interest.
Interest in becoming a future Block Captain or Assistant Block Captain.
Your Privacy Matters
Participation is completely voluntary.
The information collected will be maintained by the Kingsgate 3&4 HOA and used only for emergency preparedness planning by designated members of the HOA Emergency Preparedness Team.
We are not asking for detailed medical information or personal health conditions. Instead, we simply want to understand what assistance may be needed and what resources already exist within our neighborhood.
Looking Ahead
This survey is only the beginning.
As the program develops, we hope to continue building a practical and sustainable emergency preparedness program for Kingsgate 3&4 by:
Recruiting volunteer Block Captains.
Creating a confidential neighborhood emergency resource directory.
Developing a Kingsgate 3&4 Emergency Response Plan.
Hosting emergency preparedness workshops and educational events.
Partnering with local emergency management organizations.
Encouraging every household to maintain emergency supplies and a family communication plan.
Our goal is not to create another HOA committee.
Our goal is to build a stronger, more connected neighborhood where every resident knows there is someone nearby who can help share information, check on neighbors, and connect people with available resources when it matters most.
🚧 Coming Soon
As our Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Program grows, we'll continue adding resources and opportunities for residents to get involved.
Planned initiatives include:
🗺️ Neighborhood Emergency Response Map
A map dividing Kingsgate 3&4 into neighborhood sections, each supported by volunteer Block Captains and Assistant Block Captains.
👥 Block Captain Program
Recruiting and supporting volunteers who can help share information, check on neighbors, and coordinate communication within their section of the neighborhood.
📖 Kingsgate 3&4 Emergency Preparedness Guide
A neighborhood-specific guide with preparedness tips, utility shutoff information, emergency contacts, and local resources.
📋 Family Emergency Planning Resources
Printable checklists and planning guides to help every household prepare for the first 72 hours following a disaster.
🧰 Emergency Preparedness Workshops
Community events covering emergency kits, water storage, generators, communication plans, earthquake preparedness, and more.
📢 Neighborhood Emergency Communication Plan
Developing multiple ways to share important information during emergencies, including email, text messaging, neighborhood contacts, and other communication methods should traditional services be disrupted.
🤝 Community Volunteer Opportunities
Ways for residents to share their skills, equipment, or time to help strengthen our neighborhood's preparedness and resilience.
Take the Survey Today
Whether you have emergency training, useful equipment, or simply want to let us know if your household may need assistance, your participation will help make Kingsgate 3&4 a stronger and more resilient community.
The survey takes approximately five minutes to complete.
For your convenience, the survey is available online using the link below. We also understand that not everyone prefers or has access to the internet, so a printed copy of the survey will be delivered to every home in Kingsgate 3&4. Completed paper surveys can be dropped off at the Kingsgate 3&4 Pool during normal operating hours (12pm-8pm daily).
👉 Click the link below to complete the survey online, or watch for your paper copy arriving soon.
Together, We Can Build a More Resilient Kingsgate 3&4
Emergency preparedness isn't just about responding to disasters—it's about building stronger relationships with the people who live around us.
Our vision is simple:
Every household in Kingsgate 3&4 should know that, in the event of a major emergency, there is a neighbor nearby who can help share information, check on others, and connect residents with available resources until professional responders are able to arrive.
Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete the survey and for helping build a safer, stronger, and more resilient Kingsgate 3&4.
A Note from the HOA
The Kingsgate 3&4 HOA and its volunteers are not emergency responders and cannot guarantee assistance during an emergency. Every household should maintain its own emergency supplies, family communication plan, and disaster preparedness kit. This program is intended to strengthen our community by helping neighbors support one another until professional assistance is available.
President's Note
As your HOA Board, we believe preparedness is one of the best investments we can make in our community. This program will grow over time, and its success depends on neighbors willing to participate, share ideas, and help one another. Whether you complete the survey, volunteer as a future Block Captain, or simply take steps to prepare your own household, you're helping make Kingsgate 3&4 a safer place to live for everyone.
Thank you for being part of this effort. We look forward to building this program together.
A Note of Appreciation
On behalf of the Kingsgate 3&4 HOA Board, we'd like to recognize Susie Prows for her passion and leadership in helping resurrect our Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Program.
While Kingsgate 3&4 had an emergency preparedness program many years ago, it gradually faded over time. Susie saw the importance of bringing it back and challenged us to think about how our neighborhood can be better prepared for future emergencies.
Because of her enthusiasm and commitment to helping others, we're taking the first steps toward rebuilding a program that will benefit our entire community for years to come.
Thank you, Susie, for your dedication, your compassion for your neighbors, and for inspiring this important initiative. We truly appreciate everything you've done to help make Kingsgate 3&4 a stronger and more resilient community.
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