Saturday, May 29, 2010

WaterAlert Service

USGS WaterAlert




The U.S. Geological Survey WaterAlert service sends e-mail or text messages when certain parameters measured by a USGS data-collection station exceed user-definable thresholds. The development and maintenance of the WaterAlert system is supported through the USGS Cooperative Water Program, the USGS National Streamflow Information Program, and by USGS data-collection partners, including numerous federal, state, and local agencies. All WaterAlert data are made available from the National Water Information System.

Real-time data from USGS gages are transmitted via satellite or other telemetry to USGS offices at various intervals; in most cases, once every 1 or 4 hours. Emergency transmissions, such as during floods, may be more frequent. Notifications will be based on the data received at these site-dependent intervals.

To sign-up, go to:

http://water.usgs.gov/wateralert/

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Shelter-In-Place For Employers

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Hazardous Materials Shelter-in-Place Course for Employers and Facilities
Monday, June 28th, 2010, 10-Noon
Dyno Nobel Training Facility, 63149 Columbia River Hwy in Deer Island
This course is aimed at public and private employers and facilities. The purpose is to review planning procedures for shelter-in-place (SIP) orders that sometimes come with hazardous materials leaks that are too dangerous to risk evacuation. Some of the topics that will be reviewed include:
* The Purpose and History of SIP
* Why it is Important to Plan for a SIP Event
* Procedures for Implementing SIP
* Security and Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning (HVAC) Unit Considerations
Reservations are recommended and highly encouraged as space may be limited. To reserve a spot, please call 503-366-3931 or e-mail emergency.management@co.columbia.or.us .
This class is presented by Columbia County Emergency Management and is sponsored by the Columbia Emergency Planners Association and the Oregon State Fire Marshal Office.

Reedy of Columbia 911 Wins Award

Congrats, Sue!

Contribution to SafetyNet CAD by an Individual

We are pleased to award the Outstanding Contribution to SafetyNet CAD by an Individual to Sue Reedy of the Columbia 911 Communications District. Sue has been instrumental in the development of a regional CAD-to-CAD interface that is a model for interoperable communications. Sue has also made significant contributions to integrating the Environmental Systems Research Institute, or ESRI ArcMap product for use with SafetyNet CAD.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Hazmat Shelter-In-Place for Employers and Facilities

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Hazardous Materials Shelter-in-Place Course for Employers and Facilities
Monday, June 28th, 2010, 10-Noon
Dyno Nobel Training Facility, 63149 Columbia River Hwy in Deer Island
This course is aimed at public and private employers and facilities. The purpose is to review planning procedures for shelter-in-place (SIP) orders that sometimes come with hazardous materials leaks that are too dangerous to risk evacuation. Some of the topics that will be reviewed include:
* The Purpose and History of SIP
* Why it is Important to Plan for a SIP Event
* Procedures for Implementing SIP
* Security and Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning (HVAC) Unit Considerations
Reservations are recommended and highly encouraged as space may be limited. To reserve a spot, please call 503-366-3931 or e-mail emergency.management@co.columbia.or.us .
This class is presented by Columbia County Emergency Management and is sponsored by the Columbia Emergency Planners Association and the Oregon State Fire Marshal Office.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Wind Advisory on 5/19 from 4-11 PM

The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a Wind Advisory for the US 30 corridor of Columbia County from 4-11 PM on 5/19/10. Areas affected by this advisory include, but are not limited to, the following:

* Scappoose
* St. Helens
* Columbia City
* Rainier
* Clatskanie

For more info, go to http://www.weather.gov/portland

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Earthquake Readiness and Mitigation

The City of Vancouver, WA City (right across the river) recently had a panel discussion about earthquakes, how to prepare for them and how to mitigate the risk of death and destruction. Panelists included James Roddey (aka, Mr. Doom-and-Gloom from Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries), Cheryl Bledsoe (emergency manager for Clark County, WA), Jay Wilson (mitigation officer for Clackamas County, OR) and more.

The discussion was recorded and may be watched online at:

http://www.cityofvancouver.us/cvtv/cvtvindex.asp?searchterms=earthquake&Submit=Search&radioset=archives

Friday, May 14, 2010

Increased Fire Risk in Pacific Northwest

2010 Ushers In Increased Wildfire Risk For NW

Release Date: May 12, 2010
Release Number: R10-10-018

» 2010 Region X News Releases

SEATTLE -- El Nino weather patterns and a relatively mild winter left Idaho, eastern Washington and south central Oregon drier than normal and vulnerable to wildfire. In addition to urging extreme caution with campfires, fireworks, trash fires, grills and other heat sources, FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger encourages residents living on wooded lots and wildland/urban interface areas to stay informed on local conditions.

“Now is the time to create defensible perimeters by clearing flammable debris away from homes and structures,” said Hunsinger. “Of course, fire escapes and evacuation plans are a must, and should include current phone numbers for emergency service providers. By all means, make sure property entrances are clearly posted, with adequate emergency vehicle turnaround space.”

FEMA recommends that residents take specific actions long before an evacuation is necessary.

  • Clear any flammable materials from around the home.
  • Construct roofs and exterior walls from non-combustible or fire resistant material such as slate, tile, sheet iron, aluminum, brick or stone.
  • Treat wood siding, cedar shingles, exterior wood paneling and other highly combustible materials with fire retardant chemicals.
  • Clean roof surfaces and gutters free of pine needles, leaves, and branches regularly.
  • Space landscape plants to limit fire from spreading to surrounding vegetation or structures.
  • Maintain fuel breaks around all structures.
  • Store gasoline only in approved containers, and well away from occupied buildings.
  • Store firewood and other combustibles away from structures.
  • Keep firefighting tools (such as ladders, shovels, rakes and water buckets) handy, and water hoses connected.
  • House numbers and all street signs should be clear of overgrowth and always be visible.
  • Clear roads and driveways of vegetation overgrowth so fire vehicles have room to maneuver.
  • Place a lawn sprinkler on the roof, which can be turned on when evacuating to wet the roof.

It is also smart to keep important personal documents quickly available should you need to evacuate. Consider collecting your driver’s license, passport and other identification, birth and marriage certificates, Social Security card, insurance policies, tax records, wills, deed or lease and stocks and bonds. Also, know where your main turn-off switches are for electricity, water and gas.

Another important step that FEMA recommends is preparing an evacuation kit. Items should be put in a container that can be easily loaded into a vehicle for a quick departure. Items to include:

  • Flashlight
  • Battery-powered radio with additional batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Medicines, prescriptions and eyeglasses
  • Water (at least one gallon per person and enough for three days for each person in the household)
  • Change of clothing
  • Sleeping bags and pillows
  • Cash and credit cards

FEMA also recommends that family members discuss how to contact one another if the wildfire comes near when family members are separated. Discuss evacuation routes and identify relatives or friends outside the immediate area that can be contacted. Finally, make sure your pets have collars and identification tags and take your pets with you if you need to evacuate. While some shelters won’t accept pets, an increasing number of communities are organizing pet shelters when large evacuations are necessary. Check with your local Humane Society, animal shelter or veterinarian.

For more information on protecting your family and your home from wildfires, go to www.fema.gov, or www.ready.gov.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.