January 2006
Bird Flu There are at least 15 different types of avian influenza that routinely infect birds around the world. The current outbreak is caused by a strain known as H5N1, which is highly contagious among birds and rapidly fatal. Unlike many other strains of avian influenza, it can be transmitted to humans, causing severe illness and death. For more information, CLICK HERE.
February 2005
Spread the Word! As of December 2004, Pierce County, Washington has 127 active PC-NET and NAT neighborhoods. More than 1,500 citizens have been through some level of emergency and/or crime prevention training with our program. We want to reach even more. Please help us by spreading the word to friends and family.
For NET information call 253-798-6595.
For NAT (Crime Prevention), contact Judi Holley at 253-798-3624.
Winter 2004/05
'Triangle of Life' Sends Wrong Message
From Amanda Mark, Preparedness Department
American Red Cross National Headquarters
“Recently, the American Red Cross, along with other organizations involved in disaster preparedness education, became aware of information circulating via the internet and email that contradicts currently accepted standard advice for staying as safe as possible during an earthquake.
“The recommendations being circulated are inaccurate for application in the United States and are inconsistent with information developed through earthquake research.
“Research has shown that most injuries in U.S. earthquakes occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave. Consistent with the experts, the Red Cross strongly advises against moving (that is, attempting to escape) during the shaking of an earthquake. The more movement and the longer the distance that a person tries to go, the more likely they are to become injured by falling or flying debris, or by tripping, falling, or getting cut by damaged floors, walls, and items in the path of escape.
“Earthquake experts further suggest quickly seeking a place of safety, such as under a sturdy table or desk, and moving as short a distance as possible to that place of safety. Because the research continues to demonstrate that – in the U.S. – “Drop, Cover and Hold On!” works, the American Red Cross continues to back this recommendation. It is the most reliable and easiest method to teach people, including children.
“The American Red Cross, being a U.S.-based organization, does not extend its recommendations to apply in other countries.”
Published in NET Soundings
by Pierce County Emergency Management
Winter 2004/05
Volume 3, Issue 3, page 1
October 3-9, 2004
Winter Weather Awareness Week in Washington, Oregon & Idaho
This is an excellent time for all individuals, families, businesses, schools, radio and TV stations to review their winter storm preparedness plans. It is especially important for all new arrivals to the Pacific Northwest to become familiar with the National Weather Service Watch and Warning definitions as well as winter safety procedures. Click here for more information.
The Pacific Northwest may not get hurricanes, but it does get hurricane force winds. Are you ready for the next wind storm? Click here for more information.
Exposure to cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia and become life-threatening. Infants and the elderly are the most susceptible. Many of these freezing winter storms bring snow amounts that cause road closures especially through mountain passes. For more information on what to do when a winter storm approaches, click here.
Before winter weather threatens this season, you should prepare a winter safety kit for your vehicles. Click here for more information.
6 July 2004
Glade Plug-Ins Fire Hazard
If you have received an email, similar to the example below, warning you about the fire hazards of using Glade's Plug-In Air Fresheners, please check the following website for further information:
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_plug_in_air_freshener.htm
Email example:
"My brother and his wife learned a hard lesson this last week. Their house burned down...nothing left but ashes. They have good insurance, so the home will be replaced and most of the contents. That is the good news. However, they were sick when they found out the cause of the fire.
The insurance investigator sifted through the ashes for several hours. He had the cause of the fire traced to the master bathroom. He asked my sister-in-law what she had plugged in in the bathroom. She listed the normal things....curling iron, blow dryer. He kept saying to her, "No, this would be something that would disintegrate at high temperatures." Then, my sister-in-law remembered she had a Glade Plug-in in the bathroom. The investigator had one of those "Aha" moments. He said that was the cause of the fire..."
13 December 2003
Pierce County Dodge Floods with Planning & Luck
Record rainfall on October 20-21, 2003 caused major flooding to the north and south of Pierce County. However, Pierce County itself was spared the fate of most of its neighbors. How is it we were so fortunate?
Pierce County technicians, engineers, planners and biologists concluded it was a combination of recent flood hazard reduction work and a lot of plain good luck. Since 1991, the County has followed an aggressive capital improvement program intended to build structures to reduce flood damage. Additionally, new developments must design stormwater management facilities to protect downstream properties. These efforts paid off in October.
The "good luck" reason was a series of conditions that Mother Nature designed. First, unlike many of our neighboring counties, Pierce County river flooding usually requires significant snow melt. At the time of the record rainfalls, there was no mid to low elevation mountain snow pack.
Second, the amount of rainfall that hit Pierce County was extremely varies. The mountain areas received about 2 to 2.5 inches of rain in 24 hours. Meanwhile, rainfall in western Pierce County exceeded 5 inches! This huge difference was caused by the jet stream that moved much of the moisture toward the west and north of the county.
Finally, soils throughout the County were fairly dry because of the long, dry summer and fall. Rainfall was absorbed into the ground rather than draining overland and directly into rivers and streams.
7 November 2003
Washington Severe Storms and Flooding
Declared November 7, 2003
For general information on affected areas, assistance available for disaster related unemployment, location of disaster recovery centers and the National Flood Insurance Program, click on the following link:
http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=2603
For a list of press releases about where to get help and what to do, click on the following link:
http://www.fema.gov/news/eventnews.fema?id=2603
3 March 2003
For Pierce County, Washington Residents:
Pierce County Dept. of Emergency Management, in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, the American Red Cross, local fire departments, State Farm Insurance, Puget Sound Energy and the Washington State Emergency Management office presents
PC-NET Academy
March 29, 2003
8 am - 5 pm
State Farm Insurance Headquarters
1000 Silmington Drive
Dupont, Washington
This Academy is the first of its kind in the Pierce County area and has been designed to provide information and training for PC-NET neighborhood volunteers as well as those interested in PC-NET information and training. Workshops and classes include:
- Disaster Response training
- PC-NET Overview
- NAT - What's a NAT?
- Communications Disaster
- Mental Health
- Sheltering in Place
- Fire Suppression
- Is That Gas I Smell
- Light Search & Rescue training
This Academy is free for all participants, however, pre-registration is required and all participants must have a picture ID to enter the State Farm Building.
For more information and registration forms please call:
Gretchen O'Connor @ 798-2751
Barbara Nelson @ 798-2168
13 November 2002
The following note was sent to us at PEP-C.
"I had a wreck a couple of weeks ago when I hydroplaned and totaled our Lincoln Town Car. I was not hurt, just emotionally rattled! I know the Lord was with me.
I learned a lesson I'd like to pass on to you. You may know this already- but the highway patrolman told me that you should never drive in the rain with your cruise control on. He said if you did and hydroplaned (which I did) that when your tires were off the road your car would accelerate to a high rate of speed (which it did). You don't have much, if any control when you hydroplane, but you are totally in the hands of God when the car accelerates. I took off like I was in an airplane. I'm so thankful I made it through that ordeal. Please pass the word around about not using cruise control when the pavement is wet or icy. The highway patrolman said this should be on the sun-visor with the warning about air-bags.
The only person I've found out who knew this (besides the patrolman) was a man who had a similar accident and totaled his car. This has made me wonder if this is not why so many of our young people are dying in accidents."
Be careful out there!
7 September 2002
Ham radio licensing classes will begin September 11th (11-12 week course) at the Burley Amateur Radio Club:
- 6:30 pm "Learning Morse Code"
- 7:00 pm "Ham Radio Operation"
Class duration: 2 to 2-1/2 hrs per night.
Required Textbook: "Now You're Talking" (available at Radio Shack). $5.00 requested to cover cost of printed material provided by instructor.
Contact:
Dave Brooks N7HT
dbbrooks@hotmail.com
360-275-9893
11 December 2001
A variety of CPR and First Aid Classes are available in 2002 for laypersons as well as those in licensed day care, law enforcement, professional healthcare, and all those whose occupation requires first aid and CPR certification.
Classes for Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula Residents sponsored by Pierce County Fire District #5 located at:
10222 Bujacich Rd. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332
To register, or for more information, call (253) 853-3111
Click here to view class schedule
April 2002
From: Ted Buehner (Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Weather Service - Seattle/Tacoma)
The spring 2002 edition of Skywarn Spotter News is now available for you on our web site. Go to www.wrh.noaa.gov/seattle and go to the Outreach - Spotters link on the left side of the front page. Some good stuff there!
Gel Candles
There are e-mails circulating about hazards of gel candles. While sources say it is true that gel candles burn a bit hotter and higher than wax candles, the danger is not substantially higher than for wax candles.
Any candles can be fire hazards if not used with care. In fact, after Hurricane Andrew, authorities found that three times as many people died from house fires started by candles than from the event itself. This led them to recommend that candles be taken out of emergency kits. Children can be fascinated with the flame and play with them. They can be knocked over by pets, children or aftershocks of an earthquake.
Best to depend on battery powered lights for emergencies. Many battery lanterns give off a lot of light. Invest in a solar recharger for rechargeable batteries for longer term outages. Also, the chemical light sticks are safe and provide up to 12 hours of light for general illumination.
