I am taking a few day off starting today, July 1. I will be out of the office until Wednesday, July 7. During that time, I may or may not be posting on this blog. If I find something that I think would be of great importance to our readers, I will do my best to get it on here in a timely manner. Otherwise, have a great holiday, be careful with fireworks, be safe and drive sober, take your emergency kit with you, and I'll be back soon.
Jenni
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Fourth of July driving
Cracking down on impaired drivers is the main focus of Oregon law enforcement agencies during the Fourth of July holiday period, the deadliest major holiday of the year. The 78-hour intensified enforcement efforts start 6:00 p.m., Friday, July 2nd, and conclude 11:59 p.m., Monday, July 5th, as city, county and state police officers work to stop drivers before they become involved in an event not worth celebrating during an aggressive "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest" blitz.
"We all have our work cut out for us," said Oregon State Police (OSP) Superintendent Timothy McLain. "No matter your age, driving under the influence isn't worth the risk to yourself or others. Plan now and make sure everyone has a safe and sober ride wherever they may be going,"
According to ODOT's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), nearly 300 people have died on Oregon's roads during the Fourth of July holiday period since 1970. Half of these traffic fatalities were in alcohol-involved crashes. Two people died last year during the 54-hour holiday period, and 6 people died two years ago. FARS statistics provide a sobering reminder how deadly this major holiday can be when thirty years ago (1980) nineteen people were killed.
ODOT Director Matthew Garrett cited recent national statistics to underscore the importance of the enforcement crackdown. In 2008 during the 78-hour July 4th holiday period there were a total of 491 traffic-related fatalities. Out of that number, 43 percent involved a driver or motorcycle ride with a BAC of .08 or higher.
"You don't have to be ‘falling down drunk' to be a threat to yourself and others on our roads," said Garrett. "The safest approach is to remember if you have had anything to drink, don't drive."
OSP troopers are joining officers around the country participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort), providing patrol presence and enforcement on Oregon roads focusing on violations that are factors in traffic crashes. Last year, OSP troopers arrested 76 DUII drivers during the 54-hour period, issued over 1,000 speed-related citations and helped nearly 500 disabled motorists.
Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Transportation offer the following safety reminders for holiday travel:
* Get plenty of rest before starting out. Fatigued drivers are more frequent during holiday weekends because of increased travel and activity. Allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
* Be aware that ODOT is in the midst of the busiest highway construction season ever. Stay up to date on road conditions by visiting TripCheck.com or calling 5-1-1.
* Even when workers are not present, all work zone speed limits still apply and fines double. Inactive work zones still have equipment, detours, and incomplete changes in the roadway so drivers need to slow down and be alert.
* Always use safety restraints and child safety seats correctly.
* Don't drink and drive.
* MOVE OVER if you are approaching any type of emergency vehicle, tow truck or roadside assistance vehicle which is stopped on the roadside with emergency lights activated.
Everyone plays an important part in keeping our highways and city streets safe. Immediately report aggressive, dangerous, and intoxicated drivers to the Oregon State Police at 1-800-24DRUNK (1-800-243-7865) or call 9-1-1.
"We all have our work cut out for us," said Oregon State Police (OSP) Superintendent Timothy McLain. "No matter your age, driving under the influence isn't worth the risk to yourself or others. Plan now and make sure everyone has a safe and sober ride wherever they may be going,"
According to ODOT's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), nearly 300 people have died on Oregon's roads during the Fourth of July holiday period since 1970. Half of these traffic fatalities were in alcohol-involved crashes. Two people died last year during the 54-hour holiday period, and 6 people died two years ago. FARS statistics provide a sobering reminder how deadly this major holiday can be when thirty years ago (1980) nineteen people were killed.
ODOT Director Matthew Garrett cited recent national statistics to underscore the importance of the enforcement crackdown. In 2008 during the 78-hour July 4th holiday period there were a total of 491 traffic-related fatalities. Out of that number, 43 percent involved a driver or motorcycle ride with a BAC of .08 or higher.
"You don't have to be ‘falling down drunk' to be a threat to yourself and others on our roads," said Garrett. "The safest approach is to remember if you have had anything to drink, don't drive."
OSP troopers are joining officers around the country participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort), providing patrol presence and enforcement on Oregon roads focusing on violations that are factors in traffic crashes. Last year, OSP troopers arrested 76 DUII drivers during the 54-hour period, issued over 1,000 speed-related citations and helped nearly 500 disabled motorists.
Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Transportation offer the following safety reminders for holiday travel:
* Get plenty of rest before starting out. Fatigued drivers are more frequent during holiday weekends because of increased travel and activity. Allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
* Be aware that ODOT is in the midst of the busiest highway construction season ever. Stay up to date on road conditions by visiting TripCheck.com or calling 5-1-1.
* Even when workers are not present, all work zone speed limits still apply and fines double. Inactive work zones still have equipment, detours, and incomplete changes in the roadway so drivers need to slow down and be alert.
* Always use safety restraints and child safety seats correctly.
* Don't drink and drive.
* MOVE OVER if you are approaching any type of emergency vehicle, tow truck or roadside assistance vehicle which is stopped on the roadside with emergency lights activated.
Everyone plays an important part in keeping our highways and city streets safe. Immediately report aggressive, dangerous, and intoxicated drivers to the Oregon State Police at 1-800-24DRUNK (1-800-243-7865) or call 9-1-1.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
OEM has started using hashtags in Twitter
Starting today, the OEM Twitter run by Jennifer Bailey will start to use the #OEMAlerts hashtag for any tweet that is part of an actual alert or notification. This does not affect anyone who is already following us through Twitter - you will still receive our tweets as normal. What this will do is make it easier for people who are not already following us to be able to search for our tweets in search engines, and through the hashtags website.
To search hashtags, use the hashtag's website (or search in Twitter): http://hashtags.org/
You can view the #OEMAlerts stats at http://wthashtag.com/Oemalerts
For more about hashtags and how they work, check out the following pages:
To search hashtags, use the hashtag's website (or search in Twitter): http://hashtags.org/
You can view the #OEMAlerts stats at http://wthashtag.com/Oemalerts
For more about hashtags and how they work, check out the following pages:
http://www.searchenginejournal.com/twitter-hashtags/9419/
http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2007/10/22/twitter-hashtags-for-emergency-coordination-and-disaster-relief/ALEX MARKS THE FIRST NAMED STORM OF 2010 SEASON - FEMA URGES CITIZENS TO BE PREPARED
WASHINGTON - As Tropical Storm Alex intensifies, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today urged citizens to closely monitor the storm and to take steps to be as prepared as possible, in advance of severe weather. Alex has become the first named storm of the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
"FEMA continues to monitor Tropical Storm Alex, and personnel are on the ground working closely with state and local as they prepare for landfall," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "The most important thing for people living in the area to do right now is to ensure their family is prepared and to follow the instructions of state and local officials. For more information and helpful tips, anyone can visit www.Ready.gov."
In anticipation of possible landfall in south Texas later this week, FEMA has pre-identified a Federal Coordinating Officer that would coordinate a federal response in the region if necessary, and he, along with members of one of FEMA's Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMAT) are on the ground working with the state. FEMA has also assigned a liaison officer for the Texas Department of Emergency Management, should they be requested.
In addition, FEMA has begun to transport commodities for staging. This includes more than 1.1 million meals, more than 405,000 liters of water, more than 41,000 tarps and more than 100 generators, as well as other commodities such as cots, blankets and personal kits.
FEMA remains in close contact with state and local officials in Texas and all hurricane prone states to ensure they have the resources they need should a storm strike. Alex should serve as another reminder that if you live in a coastal state, now is the time to be prepared, including determining if you live in an evacuation zone. As always, residents should listen to the instructions of state and local officials should a storm strike, and evacuate if told to do so. Visit www.Ready.gov for more information on how you can get your family ready for a hurricane or other emergency.
As hurricane season gets underway, FEMA continues to support the coordinated federal response to the BP oil spill. All of the planning for the 2010 hurricane season has involved consideration of the BP oil spill and its potential effects on all hurricane response and recovery scenarios. The existence of the spill does not change FEMA's initial priority during a response, which is to support the states and do everything possible to protect lives and property.
Here are some things everyone can do to prepare for the 2010 hurricane season:
*Develop Family Disaster Plans and Keep a Disaster Supply Kit. Just as every community should have a disaster plan, every family should have an emergency supply kit and plan what to do in case of a storm. Pay particular attention to relatives with special needs, small children and pets. Have a family communications plan.
*Make Your Home Disaster Resistant. You can reduce the damage caused by hurricanes by installing hurricane shutters on windows, putting straps and reinforced bracing on roofs, reinforcing garage doors, raising electrical appliances and outlets, installing sewage backflow valves and trimming back dead or weak tree branches from around a home.
*If the storm comes, you can be ready. When a storm is approaching, a battery-operated radio or television is one of the most important tools you can have during any weather emergency. A weather radio that broadcasts National Weather Service warnings and watches 24 hours a day can be particularly useful. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides the weather radio network as a public service. Keep extra batteries handy for radios and flashlights.
For more information on hurricanes, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family, visit www.Ready.gov and www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane.
Information can also be found on your smartphone at m.fema.gov.
"FEMA continues to monitor Tropical Storm Alex, and personnel are on the ground working closely with state and local as they prepare for landfall," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "The most important thing for people living in the area to do right now is to ensure their family is prepared and to follow the instructions of state and local officials. For more information and helpful tips, anyone can visit www.Ready.gov."
In anticipation of possible landfall in south Texas later this week, FEMA has pre-identified a Federal Coordinating Officer that would coordinate a federal response in the region if necessary, and he, along with members of one of FEMA's Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMAT) are on the ground working with the state. FEMA has also assigned a liaison officer for the Texas Department of Emergency Management, should they be requested.
In addition, FEMA has begun to transport commodities for staging. This includes more than 1.1 million meals, more than 405,000 liters of water, more than 41,000 tarps and more than 100 generators, as well as other commodities such as cots, blankets and personal kits.
FEMA remains in close contact with state and local officials in Texas and all hurricane prone states to ensure they have the resources they need should a storm strike. Alex should serve as another reminder that if you live in a coastal state, now is the time to be prepared, including determining if you live in an evacuation zone. As always, residents should listen to the instructions of state and local officials should a storm strike, and evacuate if told to do so. Visit www.Ready.gov for more information on how you can get your family ready for a hurricane or other emergency.
As hurricane season gets underway, FEMA continues to support the coordinated federal response to the BP oil spill. All of the planning for the 2010 hurricane season has involved consideration of the BP oil spill and its potential effects on all hurricane response and recovery scenarios. The existence of the spill does not change FEMA's initial priority during a response, which is to support the states and do everything possible to protect lives and property.
Here are some things everyone can do to prepare for the 2010 hurricane season:
*Develop Family Disaster Plans and Keep a Disaster Supply Kit. Just as every community should have a disaster plan, every family should have an emergency supply kit and plan what to do in case of a storm. Pay particular attention to relatives with special needs, small children and pets. Have a family communications plan.
*Make Your Home Disaster Resistant. You can reduce the damage caused by hurricanes by installing hurricane shutters on windows, putting straps and reinforced bracing on roofs, reinforcing garage doors, raising electrical appliances and outlets, installing sewage backflow valves and trimming back dead or weak tree branches from around a home.
*If the storm comes, you can be ready. When a storm is approaching, a battery-operated radio or television is one of the most important tools you can have during any weather emergency. A weather radio that broadcasts National Weather Service warnings and watches 24 hours a day can be particularly useful. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides the weather radio network as a public service. Keep extra batteries handy for radios and flashlights.
For more information on hurricanes, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family, visit www.Ready.gov and www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane.
Information can also be found on your smartphone at m.fema.gov.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Emergency Preparedness - what for?
One of the initial things citizens need to do in developing their emergency preparedness plans is to determine what they should be preparing for. As I have argued previously, I think officials at all levels should be more aggressive and frank in explaining all the risks facing the public, but there are resources available that citizens can begin researching for themselves.
Your local emergency management website (or office) is a place to start. There is also assistance at the “Determine Your Risk” page of FEMA’s “Prepare for a Disaster” section. Among the steps it recommends taking: Identify possible hazards and emergencies (“Possible Hazards and Emergencies”); Review maps of your area FEMA Maps; Calculate your risk with assessment tools; Learn about FEMA’s mitigation activities; Identify possible hazards and emergencies. And, as we enter hurricane season, the National Weather Service’s “Storm Prediction Center” can also be helpful.
Ken Murphy - former Director of OEM, sworn in as Regional Administrator of FEMA Region 10
This is a sad, and a great day for Oregon. We are losing a very experienced emergency manager at the state level but Ken Murphy is going on to become the Regional Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency over Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska.
Oregon Emergency Managment will miss you Ken and we wish you all the best.
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