Power of Preparation: Regional exercise helps enhance community safety
Published on May 07, 2026
Recently, we teamed up with more than 30 agencies from around the region for a hands‑on training exercise focused on what we’d do if the Masonry Dam at the Cedar Falls Hydroelectric Project ever had a major issue.
The dam plays a big role for our region. It helps supply Seattle’s drinking water, generates clean energy, and feeds the Cedar River that runs through our community. If a serious event were to happen, it could affect Renton and other areas downstream.
We were represented by members from our Public Works Department, Emergency Management, Renton Police Department, Communications, Boeing, and Renton School District.
We focused on monitoring weather, informing the public, preparing reunification locations, addressing traffic flow during an evacuation, and internal communication with our partners at King County Emergency Management, Boeing, and Renton School District.
Training together like this helps us stay connected, sharpen our response plans, and make sure we’re ready to move quickly if we ever need to. Preparing now is one of the best ways to keep our communities safe.
How you can stay prepared
Exercises like these are just one way we as a city stay prepared. We continue to work on our plans and preparations throughout the year. This includes making sure you are prepared in an emergency as well. If something strikes, it takes the whole community coming together, following instructions, and moving quickly. You can be ready and prepared by:
- Signing up for ALERT Renton, the city’s voluntary emergency notification system. Through ALERT Renton, we can contact you immediately and send you critical emergency information via phone, or TDD, text, or email. Learn more and sign up.
- Knowing if you are in a flood zone. King County Flood Control District has a map to help you determine if your home, business, school, or work is at risk of flooding during an event. View the map.
- Having a go-kit ready to go! Being prepared means having your own food, water, and other supplies to last for several days. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency and is easily accessible at your home, work, or car. Your emergency kit should contain enough supplies for you and your family to last two weeks. Build your kit.
Thank you Seattle City Light!
Bringing this many agencies together in one place is no small feat. A huge thanks to Seattle City Light for organizing and hosting such a valuable training!