Preparedness discussion offers tips and tools

SEELEY LAKE – Double Arrow Landowners Association sponsored a virtual Community Preparedness Discussion that was aired live on the Seeley Swan Pathfinder Facebook page March 26. DARLOA President Tom Browder and DARLOA board member Tom Kuchai organized and hosted the event at the Seeley Lake Historical Museum and Visitors Center.

Presenters included:

• Seeley-Swan High School Principal Kellen Palmer offered updates for the schools, lunches available for students 18 years old and younger and remote learning. He encourages the community to visit the Missoula County Public Schools website https://www.mcpsmt.org/ and the Seeley Lake Elementary website https://www.sleonline.org/ for the most current information regarding the schools, activities and COVID-19 response.

• Holy Cross Lutheran Church Pastor Erik Iverson provided information about the Seeley Swan Helps collaborative that is organizing volunteers and locals needing assistance. Call the designated SS Helps phone line 406-239-9617 or email seeleyswanhelps@gmail.com.

• DARLOA Board Member Tom Kuchai gave a general preparedness presentation. He shared information he felt was most important regarding how to be best prepared for emergencies, things to have on hand in your home, in a grab-and-go bag and in your car and suggestions about how to be best prepared for various emergencies. Questions can be directed to tkuchai@gmail.com

• The Barn Board Director Gary Miller provided information and asked for comments on a grant the Barn Board is writing for a new furnace for the Seeley Lake Historical Museum and Visitors Center (the Barn). Concerns for this can be directed to the Barn Board by calling 677-2464.

Following the presentation Browder and Kuchai discussed providing a whiteboard to presenters to use that would help slow the pace and make it easier for the remote audience to follow.

"I thought it was a good first stab at using social media for a community-wide program," wrote Browder in an email. "The setup at the Barn, and being able to use the Pathfinder FB page, both worked quite well."

Questions or comments about the Community Preparedness Discussion can be directed to Browder at tmb.darloa@gmail.com. The video is available to watch on the Seeley Swan Pathfinder Facebook page.