IS-400 Course Opportunity

Responders, Public Officials and Emergency Volunteers:

IS-400: Advanced Incident Command System training is available in Clatsop County March 13-14, 2010. You must have taken IS-100, 200, 300 and 700 in order to attend.

For registration or more information, please contact:

Gene Strong, Emergency Manager
Clatsop County Sheriff Office
503-325-8635, ext. 2425 or gstrong@co.clatsop.or.us

Portland-Area Counties Create Critical Infrastructure Protection Plan

Pacific Northwest Counties Collaborated to Create Critical Infrastructure Protection Plan
by Elaine Pittman, Emergency Management Magazine on February 22, 2010

Because of the risk of earthquakes and other threats to critical infrastructure and key resources (CIKR) — terrorist attacks, industrial accidents and other natural disasters — five Portland, Ore.-area counties collaborated beginning in 2006 to assess and identify the region’s critical infrastructure.

http://www.emergencymgmt.com/infrastructure/Pacific-Northwest-Critical-Infrastructure-Protection-Plan.html

Earthquake Town Hall in Portland April 21st

There will be an earthquake town-hall meeting in Portland on April 21st from 6:30-9 PM at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel. A robust discussion will be had regarding the potential for damage from a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake as well as tips for mitigating and preparing for the incident. Several prominent seismologists and geologists as well as staff from the Portland Office of Emergency Management will be on hand.

For more information, contact Ivan Wong at ivan_wong@urscorp.com .

Wind Advisory for SE Columbia County

Wind advisory today (2/11) from 4 PM to midnight for extreme SE Columbia County, including the city of Scappoose.

Wind Advisory

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
926 AM PST THU FEB 11 2010

.A STRONG LOW IS FORECAST TO MOVE ONSHORE NEAR VANCOUVER ISLAND
OR THE NORTHWEST TIP OF WASHINGTON AROUND MIDNIGHT THURSDAY NIGHT
BRINGING STRONG WINDS TO THE OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON
COAST THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

ORZ006>008-WAZ039-120130-
/O.NEW.KPQR.WI.Y.0003.100212T0000Z-100212T0800Z/
GREATER PORTLAND METRO AREA-CENTRAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY-
SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY-GREATER VANCOUVER AREA-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...HILLSBORO...OREGON CITY...GRESHAM...
SALEM...EUGENE...CORVALLIS...ALBANY...BATTLE GROUND...WASHOUGAL
926 AM PST THU FEB 11 2010

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO MIDNIGHT
PST TONIGHT FOR THE GREATER PORTLAND AND VANCOUVER METRO
AREAS...AS WELL AS THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN WILLAMETTE VALLEY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A WIND
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
MIDNIGHT PST TONIGHT.


* WINDS: SUSTAINED WINDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH...WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH.

* TIMING: GUSTY WINDS WILL DEVELOP AROUND 4 PM...WITH GUSTS OF
 40-45 MPH POSSIBLE. STRONGEST PERIOD OF WINDS WILL BE LATER IN
 THE EVENING...BETWEEN 7 PM AND MIDNIGHT...WHEN GUSTS TO 50 MPH
 ARE EXPECTED.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: PORTLAND...VANCOUVER...EUGENE...CORVALLIS...
 ALBANY...SALEM...HILLSBORO...OREGON CITY...GRESHAM...BATTLE
 GROUND...WASHOUGAL

* IMPACTS: WIDESPREAD DAMAGE IS NOT EXPECTED...HOWEVER A FEW
 DOWNED TREES AND LOCAL POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE WITH WIND
 GUSTS OF THIS MAGNITUDE.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WINDS ARE FORECAST TO BE
31 TO 39 MPH OR GUSTS WILL RANGE BETWEEN 45 AND 57 MPH. WINDS OF
THESE MAGNITUDES MAY CAUSE MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE WITHOUT EXTRA
PRECAUTIONS. MOTORISTS IN HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES SHOULD USE
CAUTION UNTIL THE WINDS SUBSIDE.

Columbia County EM on Twitter, Facebook

We are glad that you are enjoying our blog today! Did you know that we have Facebook and Twitter accounts as well that allow you to find pictures, event announcements and other items, as well as text alerts on your cell phone regarding urgent or preparedness information?

Our Twitter may be found at:

http://twitter.com/columbiacoem

On Facebook, do a search for "Columbia County Oregon Emergency Management" or go to:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saint-Helens-OR/Columbia-County-Emergency-Management/134474983641


PLEASE NOTE: Text alerts from Facebook or Twitter are free services, but standard rates for text messaging may apply depending upon the contract or terms of use with your cell phone service.

Proper Earthquake Procedures

A number of folks from around Columbia County have been recently receiving a forwarded e-mail regarding "new" procedures for earthquakes, such as curling up in a fetal position or evacuating buildings during earthquakes. The original information in the e-mail claims to come from a person who has worked in earthquake recoveries.

However, the information goes against proven earthquake response protocols, according to local emergency preparedness officials.

“The information in this e-mail does not align with what the vast majority of scientists and emergency planners have seen work,” says Derek White, interim director of Columbia County Emergency Management. “It is important that people have the right information when it comes to protecting themselves and loved ones during an earthquake.

Earthquakes are a very real threat to Columbia County. The Cascadia Subduction Zone is an earthquake fault that sits off the Oregon coast and ruptures every 300-500 years, with the last quake occurring in 1700. Subduction zone earthquakes are major seismic events, causing earthquakes and tsunamis seen in Anchorage in 1964 and Indonesia in 2004. “While this is the most likely cause of a future earthquake for us, there are some other faults nearby, so we need to be prepared,” White adds.

The procedure that has proven to work is drop, cover and hold on. This means dropping to the floor where you are at, getting under a sturdy desk or table, and staying there until the earthquake ends. Some other helpful tips from Columbia County Emergency Management include:

* Do not evacuate during the earthquake. You are very likely to be hit with debris, such as pieces of ceiling and glass. “It is highly unlikely with a Cascadia subduction zone quake that you will be able to walk at all in any regard,” White says.

* If you cannot get under something, drop beside a desk or something else that is relatively stable (low-to-ground file cabinets, interior walls, etc.), cover your head and stay there.

* Try to stay away from windows and the outside walls.

* Do not stand in door thresholds or frames as you are likely to be hit with debris.

* If you are outside, go to an open space away from buildings and power lines. Stay away from the bottoms of hills or underneath cliffs, as there could be landslides or rock falls.

* Once the earthquake ends, try to evacuate before tremors start. If you are stuck, try to save your breath by tapping on debris around you so that emergency responders can locate you more easily. Try to turn off electricity at breaker panels and gas lines as you leave.

For more information regarding the facts about earthquake safety, go to http://www.earthquakecountry.info/dropcoverholdon/ . For further information on local emergency preparedness, contact Emergency Management at 503-366-3931 or emergency.management@co.columbia.or.us .

Story about Major Earthquake in Pac NW

The following link is to a story in the Willamette Week regarding what we can expect with a major earthquake in the Pacific Northwest. The interview is with our friend James Roddey, earth sciences information officer for the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI).

Quake-Up Call

There’s a massive earthquake in Portland’s future—and a government “prophet of doom” will tell you all about it.

http://wweek.com/editorial/3612/13620/

Six Ways to Plan for Earthquakes

Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without warning. Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning can reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from an earthquake. Repairing deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations, anchoring overhead lighting fixtures to the ceiling, and following local seismic building standards, will help reduce the impact of earthquakes.

Six Ways to Plan Ahead

1. Check for Hazards in the Home
   • Fasten shelves securely to walls.
   • Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
   • Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches.
   • Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit.
   • Brace overhead light fixtures.
   • Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks.
   • Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it to the floor.
   • Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects.
   • Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.
     
     
2. Identify Safe Places Indoors and Outdoors
   • Under sturdy furniture such as a heavy desk or table.
   • Against an inside wall.
   • Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors, pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall over.
   • In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines, overpasses, or elevated expressways.
     
     
3. Educate Yourself and Family Members
   • Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on earthquakes. Also read the "How-To Series" for information on how to protect your property from earthquakes.
   • Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
   • Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.
     
     
4. Have Disaster Supplies on Hand
   • Flashlight and extra batteries.
   • Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries.
   • First aid kit and manual.
   • Emergency food and water.
   • Nonelectric can opener.
   • Essential medicines.
   • Cash and credit cards.
   • Sturdy shoes.
     
     
5. Develop an Emergency Communication Plan
   • In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), develop a plan for reuniting after the disaster.
   • Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.
     
     
6. Help Your Community Get Ready
   • Publish a special section in your local newspaper with emergency information on earthquakes. Localize the information by printing the phone numbers of local emergency services offices, the American Red Cross, and hospitals.
   • Conduct a week-long series on locating hazards in the home.
   • Work with local emergency services and American Red Cross officials to prepare special reports for people with mobility impairments on what to do during an earthquake.
   • Provide tips on conducting earthquake drills in the home.
   • Interview representatives of the gas, electric, and water companies about shutting off utilities.
   • Work together in your community to apply your knowledge to building codes, retrofitting programs, hazard hunts, and neighborhood and family emergency plans

Columbia County Quake Shake 2010

Columbia County Quake Shake 2010: A Countywide Earthquake Drill

Geologists have told us that there is a great likelihood that Columbia County will have a major earthquake in the next hundred years. In fact, since they occur roughly every 300 years and the last one was in 1700, we are OVERDUE!

Please take a few minutes on Monday April 26th at 10 AM or anytime to practice your earthquake plans in your homes, at work or school.

For more information phone: 503-366-3905 or email Derek.White@co.columbia.or.us

Wildfire Reduction Grants for Columbia County

The Oregon Department of Forestry currently has grant funds available to assist land owners in Columbia County in reducing their wildfire risk around homes and property. Financial assistance opportunities exist in both rebate and cost-share form depending on individual needs and interest. These projects will focus on mitigating wildfire hazards for those who live in communities at risk. A free home assessment starts at the home itself, and moves outwards through the “home ignition zone” (HIZ). The concept of this HIZ has been developed to describe interactions between wildfire and structures. Your HIZ will vary from 30 to 200 feet depending on vegetation and topography. There are also cost-share opportunities for more traditional non-commercial fuels reduction projects to help create community fire breaks.

The local Columbia City ODF office is administering these grant funds in cooperation with rural fire districts, Columbia County Emergency Management and the Columbia County Board of Commissioners. The goal of this program is to make our community more aware of the risks associated with living near wildlands, and the simple tasks individuals can do to help protect themselves and their families. There are many different ways that individuals can participate in making our community and forestland more able to survive a catastrophic wildfire.

To sign up for a free comprehensive HIZ inspection and to start the grant application process contact:

Kevin Nelson, Oregon Dept. of Forestry, Columbia City (503) 397-6361