Warner Brothers recently released the movie Contagion, a fictional drama that portrays CDC and other U.S. and international partners responding to an emerging infectious disease outbreak. The film is riveting and takes viewers through the emergence of a new virus to a full-blown pandemic.
While the plot makes for a good story with plenty of drama, suspense and action, how much of the movie is factual and how much is fiction?
To answer that question, the CDC has come up with a Q &A page on their website. Click here to read more about fact and fiction in the film as well as what the CDC does every day to combat emerging illnesses.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
New FEMA Apps Available
FEMA has released new apps and a text messaging service to help you prepare for and stay informed during a disaster.
The FEMA app lets you:
FEMA has also launched a text message alert system.
The FEMA app lets you:
- Check off the items you have in your family’s emergency kit,
- Enter your family emergency meeting locations,
- Review safety tips on what to do before, during and after a disaster,
- View a map of shelters and disaster recovery centers across the U.S., and
- Read FEMA's latest blog posts.
FEMA has also launched a text message alert system.
- Text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) to sign up to receive monthly disaster safety tips
- Text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area (example: shelter 12345)
(For availability of shelters and services, contact your local emergency management agency.) - Text DRC + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest disaster recovery center in your area (for example, if you live in St. Helens with a Zip Code of 97051, you’d text DRC 97051).
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Thunderstorms Possible This Afternoon and Evening
The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement regarding thunderstorms in our area.
Thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and tonight over the south Washington and northwest Oregon Cascades and possibly adjacent valleys.
Here is the full text of the warning:
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR 453 AM PDT WED AUG 24 2011 ORZ003-004-006>014-WAZ019-023-039-040-250400- COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON- CENTRAL COAST RANGE OF WESTERN OREGON-GREATER PORTLAND METRO AREA- CENTRAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY-SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY- WESTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE-NORTHERN OREGON CASCADE FOOTHILLS- NORTHERN OREGON CASCADES-CASCADE FOOTHILLS IN LANE COUNTY- CASCADES IN LANE COUNTY-UPPER HOOD RIVER VALLEY- SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES-GREATER VANCOUVER AREA- SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADE FOOTHILLS- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...VERNONIA...JEWELL...TRASK... GRANDE RONDE...TIDEWATER...SWISSHOME...HILLSBORO...PORTLAND... OREGON CITY...GRESHAM...SALEM...MCMINNVILLE...DALLAS...EUGENE... CORVALLIS...ALBANY...HOOD RIVER...CASCADE LOCKS... MULTNOMAH FALLS...SANDY...SILVER FALLS STATE PARK...SWEET HOME... GOVERNMENT CAMP...DETROIT...SANTIAM PASS...VIDA...LOWELL... COTTAGE GROVE...MCKENZIE BRIDGE...OAKRIDGE...WILLAMETTE PASS... PARKDALE...ODELL...COLDWATER RIDGE VISITORS CENTER... MOUNT ST. HELENS...STEVENSON...SKAMANIA...VANCOUVER... BATTLE GROUND...WASHOUGAL...TOUTLE...ARIEL...COUGAR 453 AM PDT WED AUG 24 2011
...THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT OVER THE SOUTH WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON CASCADES AND POSSIBLY OVER THE ADJACENT VALLEYS...
VERY WARM WEATHER COMBINED WITH HIGHER THAN NORMAL DEW POINTS AND A WEATHER DISTURBANCE NEAR THE CALIFORNIA COAST THAT WILL BE SPREADING SOME MOISTURE ACROSS WESTERN OREGON THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT ARE EXPECTED CAUSE THUNDERSTORMS TO DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE THROUGH MUCH OF TONIGHT.
THE STRONGEST STORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP IN THE OREGON CASCADES AND CASCADE FOOTHILLS. GUSTY WINDS TO 40 MPH OR HIGHER AND HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THE STRONGEST STORMS.
THUNDERSTORMS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND OVERNIGHT TONIGHT OVER THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY...IN THE OREGON COAST RANGE... AND NORTH THROUGH CLARK COUNTY INTO THE SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES AND FOOTHILLS.
BE SURE TO TAKE COVER SHOULD THREATENING WEATHER APPROACH YOUR LOCATION TODAY OR TONIGHT.
Please check the National Weather Service's Portland Office page for developing information.
Thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and tonight over the south Washington and northwest Oregon Cascades and possibly adjacent valleys.
Here is the full text of the warning:
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR 453 AM PDT WED AUG 24 2011 ORZ003-004-006>014-WAZ019-023-039-040-250400- COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON- CENTRAL COAST RANGE OF WESTERN OREGON-GREATER PORTLAND METRO AREA- CENTRAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY-SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY- WESTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE-NORTHERN OREGON CASCADE FOOTHILLS- NORTHERN OREGON CASCADES-CASCADE FOOTHILLS IN LANE COUNTY- CASCADES IN LANE COUNTY-UPPER HOOD RIVER VALLEY- SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES-GREATER VANCOUVER AREA- SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADE FOOTHILLS- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...VERNONIA...JEWELL...TRASK... GRANDE RONDE...TIDEWATER...SWISSHOME...HILLSBORO...PORTLAND... OREGON CITY...GRESHAM...SALEM...MCMINNVILLE...DALLAS...EUGENE... CORVALLIS...ALBANY...HOOD RIVER...CASCADE LOCKS... MULTNOMAH FALLS...SANDY...SILVER FALLS STATE PARK...SWEET HOME... GOVERNMENT CAMP...DETROIT...SANTIAM PASS...VIDA...LOWELL... COTTAGE GROVE...MCKENZIE BRIDGE...OAKRIDGE...WILLAMETTE PASS... PARKDALE...ODELL...COLDWATER RIDGE VISITORS CENTER... MOUNT ST. HELENS...STEVENSON...SKAMANIA...VANCOUVER... BATTLE GROUND...WASHOUGAL...TOUTLE...ARIEL...COUGAR 453 AM PDT WED AUG 24 2011
...THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT OVER THE SOUTH WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON CASCADES AND POSSIBLY OVER THE ADJACENT VALLEYS...
VERY WARM WEATHER COMBINED WITH HIGHER THAN NORMAL DEW POINTS AND A WEATHER DISTURBANCE NEAR THE CALIFORNIA COAST THAT WILL BE SPREADING SOME MOISTURE ACROSS WESTERN OREGON THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT ARE EXPECTED CAUSE THUNDERSTORMS TO DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE THROUGH MUCH OF TONIGHT.
THE STRONGEST STORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP IN THE OREGON CASCADES AND CASCADE FOOTHILLS. GUSTY WINDS TO 40 MPH OR HIGHER AND HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THE STRONGEST STORMS.
THUNDERSTORMS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND OVERNIGHT TONIGHT OVER THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY...IN THE OREGON COAST RANGE... AND NORTH THROUGH CLARK COUNTY INTO THE SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES AND FOOTHILLS.
BE SURE TO TAKE COVER SHOULD THREATENING WEATHER APPROACH YOUR LOCATION TODAY OR TONIGHT.
Please check the National Weather Service's Portland Office page for developing information.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation, Response and Recovery Workshop in Clackamas
To honor the 10th anniversary of 9/11, there will be a day of Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation, Response and Recovery Workshops at New Hope Community Church in Clackamas from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Sign up to help hone your skills in building community resilience and increase your effectiveness in all phases of emergency management. This workshop is open to all.
Register to attend this disaster training and participate in recognizing the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 in a meaningful, proactive and life-saving way. Click here to register: http://disastertraining.eventbrite.com
New Hope Community church is located at 11731 SE Stevens Rd, Portland, OR 97086
Sign up to help hone your skills in building community resilience and increase your effectiveness in all phases of emergency management. This workshop is open to all.
Register to attend this disaster training and participate in recognizing the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 in a meaningful, proactive and life-saving way. Click here to register: http://disastertraining.eventbrite.com
New Hope Community church is located at 11731 SE Stevens Rd, Portland, OR 97086
Storm King Incident Survivor to Speak at Scappoose High
Kim Lightley is a surviving member of the US Forest Service Prineville Hotshots from the July 6th, 1994 Storm King Mountain Fire in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Please join us for this presentation as Kim describes her experiences that day, and the steps she took to gain strength and overcome the trauma of being a surviving co-worker. The presentation will take place this Thursday, August 25th at 7pm in the Scappoose High School Auditorium.
Please contact Division Chief Ron Youngberg if you have questions at (503) 397-2990.
This talk is geared toward public safety, but interested individuals are welcome to attend as well.
Please join us for this presentation as Kim describes her experiences that day, and the steps she took to gain strength and overcome the trauma of being a surviving co-worker. The presentation will take place this Thursday, August 25th at 7pm in the Scappoose High School Auditorium.
Please contact Division Chief Ron Youngberg if you have questions at (503) 397-2990.
This talk is geared toward public safety, but interested individuals are welcome to attend as well.
National Weather Service Open House this Saturday
Ever wanted to see where our weather watches and warnings are issued from? Curious about what tools the National Weather Services uses to come up with their forecasts? Well, this Saturday you have the opportunity to find out.
The National Weather Service is hosting an open house for the public at their office in Portland this Saturday, August 27th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
You can drop in anytime during the event and stay as long as you want. The NWS will have 10-15 minute presentations at the top and bottom of every hour (e.g., 11:00, 11:30, etc) and offer tours of the facility. You're invited to discuss topics of interest to you with staff on hand.
Some of the areas you can tour and topics discussed or demonstrated are:
Weather Satellite Imagery
Doppler Weather Radar
NOAA Weather Radio (What is it and why do I need one)
Real-time River Stage Displays
Getting Weather from the Internet
Please drop in and say hello to our partners at the NWS. The address is below.
NWS Portland
5241 NE 122nd Ave
Portland, OR 97230
The National Weather Service is hosting an open house for the public at their office in Portland this Saturday, August 27th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
You can drop in anytime during the event and stay as long as you want. The NWS will have 10-15 minute presentations at the top and bottom of every hour (e.g., 11:00, 11:30, etc) and offer tours of the facility. You're invited to discuss topics of interest to you with staff on hand.
Some of the areas you can tour and topics discussed or demonstrated are:
Weather Satellite Imagery
Doppler Weather Radar
NOAA Weather Radio (What is it and why do I need one)
Real-time River Stage Displays
Getting Weather from the Internet
Please drop in and say hello to our partners at the NWS. The address is below.
NWS Portland
5241 NE 122nd Ave
Portland, OR 97230
Thursday, August 11, 2011
E. Coli Strawberry Sales Locations
The Oregon Department of Agriculture has released a list of locations that sold strawberries tainted with E. coli.
Click here to view the list: http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/FSD/strawberries.shtml
Three of the locations were in Columbia County.
Sixteen people in Washington, Clatsop, Multnomah counties and Northwestern Oregon have been infected in the past month. The farm that grew the berries no longer has any of the of them on the market.
Anyone who thinks they might have tainted berries is encouraged to throw them out if the berries were purchased during the dates outlined in the list.
Click here to view the list: http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/FSD/strawberries.shtml
Three of the locations were in Columbia County.
Sixteen people in Washington, Clatsop, Multnomah counties and Northwestern Oregon have been infected in the past month. The farm that grew the berries no longer has any of the of them on the market.
Anyone who thinks they might have tainted berries is encouraged to throw them out if the berries were purchased during the dates outlined in the list.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Ready Your Business
Did you know that up to 40% of businesses affected by a disaster never reopen?
If you own a business, know someone who does or would like to see your workplace be more prepared for disasters, FEMA has designed a webpage to help.
FEMA's Ready Business site has information and free resources to prepare your business, workplace and staff for the next disaster. Just click the blue text to go there.
If you own a business, know someone who does or would like to see your workplace be more prepared for disasters, FEMA has designed a webpage to help.
FEMA's Ready Business site has information and free resources to prepare your business, workplace and staff for the next disaster. Just click the blue text to go there.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Upcoming Out-of-County Classes
Our disaster preparedness partners have informed us about several upcoming training opportunities.
Registration is open to anyone. Please see the flyers below for specifics on each class.
- CERT Train the Trainer- Hosted by Marylhurst College, August 3-5th
- Mt Hood Community College, Disaster Skills Training and Practical Exercise series. MRC members are strongly encouraged to attend as well as CERT to attend (this training would qualify as a CERT Practical), Sunday, June 19th (Fathers Day) from 0800-1230
- A Moulage Class (realistic injury creation) - Same day as the Mt Hood Community College Disaster Training listed above - Sunday, June 19th (Fathers Day) from 0800-1230 (students will have to choose one or the other).
Registration is open to anyone. Please see the flyers below for specifics on each class.
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