Release Date: December 17, 2009
Release Number: HQ-09-155
WASHINGTON - With the New Year approaching, the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready Campaign is reminding Americans to Resolve to be Ready in 2010. Resolve to be Ready is an annual initiative encouraging individuals, families, businesses and communities to make preparedness a part of their New Year resolutions.
“This holiday season, as family and friends come together to celebrate, it is also a great time to talk about the importance of being prepared,” said Administrator Fugate. “Families can start small, by ensuring they have a communications plan in place before an emergency happens, a little bit of planning can make all the difference in an emergency. The public is the most critical member of our national emergency response team, and the more they do now to be prepared, the better our response.”
Being Ready for emergencies can be an easy New Year's resolution to keep by following the Ready Campaign's three simple steps: 1) Get an emergency supply kit; 2) Make a family emergency plan; and 3) Be informed about the types of emergencies and appropriate responses.
Taking these steps and having an emergency supply kit both at home and in the car, will help prepare people for winter power outages and icy roads. Each of these kits should include basic necessities such as water, food and first aid supplies to help you survive if you are without power or become stranded in your vehicle. Complete checklists for each kit are available at www.ready.gov.
In addition, by visiting www.ready.gov or the Spanish-language Web site www.listo.gov, or calling 1-800-BE-READY or 1-888-SE-LISTO, individuals can access free materials that will help them make and keep a New Year's resolution that will bring their families peace of mind. The Ready campaign has been produced in partnership with the Ad Council.
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.
Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femainfocus and on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/fema .
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Small amount of H1N1 influenza vaccine for children under three voluntarily recalled
Small amount of H1N1 influenza vaccine for children under three voluntarily recalled
There are no vaccine safety concerns and kids don’t need to be revaccinated
Vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur has voluntarily recalled a small amount of H1N1 vaccine intended for use in children under 3. No safety issues with the vaccine have been identified. Routine testing revealed that this batch of vaccine has become slightly less potent over time. Despite this, children who received this vaccine are still protected from H1N1 flu, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials.
“Children who have already received the recalled vaccine don’t need to be revaccinated. Parents just need to make sure that their kids 9 and younger receive two doses of H1N1 vaccine at least 21 days apart,” said Gary Oxman, Multnomah County Health Officer.
This recalled product represents a very small percentage of the total amount of vaccine received in Washington and Oregon. Washington received 5,100 doses of the recalled vaccine, a tiny fraction of the 1.6 millions doses of H1N1 vaccine the state has received to date. In Oregon, these figures are 7,600 and 1,066,450 respectively.
Any health care providers who have the recalled vaccine should stop using it, keep it refrigerated, and wait for instructions on how to return it.
More information about the recalled vaccine is available at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/syringes_qa.htm. Additional vaccine information, as well as tips on how schools, businesses, and others can avoid getting sick is available at www.nwflunews.info or www.flunewsswwashington.org.
H1N1 vaccine is now available for everyone in Oregon and Southwest Washington and everyone is encouraged to get vaccinated.
There are no vaccine safety concerns and kids don’t need to be revaccinated
Vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur has voluntarily recalled a small amount of H1N1 vaccine intended for use in children under 3. No safety issues with the vaccine have been identified. Routine testing revealed that this batch of vaccine has become slightly less potent over time. Despite this, children who received this vaccine are still protected from H1N1 flu, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials.
“Children who have already received the recalled vaccine don’t need to be revaccinated. Parents just need to make sure that their kids 9 and younger receive two doses of H1N1 vaccine at least 21 days apart,” said Gary Oxman, Multnomah County Health Officer.
This recalled product represents a very small percentage of the total amount of vaccine received in Washington and Oregon. Washington received 5,100 doses of the recalled vaccine, a tiny fraction of the 1.6 millions doses of H1N1 vaccine the state has received to date. In Oregon, these figures are 7,600 and 1,066,450 respectively.
Any health care providers who have the recalled vaccine should stop using it, keep it refrigerated, and wait for instructions on how to return it.
More information about the recalled vaccine is available at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/syringes_qa.htm. Additional vaccine information, as well as tips on how schools, businesses, and others can avoid getting sick is available at www.nwflunews.info or www.flunewsswwashington.org.
H1N1 vaccine is now available for everyone in Oregon and Southwest Washington and everyone is encouraged to get vaccinated.
High Surf Advisory
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
201 PM PST WED DEC 16 2009
ORZ001-002-170615-
/O.CON.KPQR.SU.Y.0011.091217T0200Z-091217T2000Z/
NORTH OREGON COAST-CENTRAL OREGON COAST-
201 PM PST WED DEC 16 2009
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO
NOON PST THURSDAY...
A HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO
NOON PST THURSDAY.
A STRONG STORM SYSTEM MOVING INTO BRITISH COLUMBIA TODAY IS
PUSHING A VIGOROUS FRONTAL SYSTEM ONSHORE INTO WASHINGTON AND
OREGON THIS AFTERNOON. STRONG WINDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STORM AND
FRONTAL SYSTEM ARE CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT SWELL TO DEVELOP
OFFSHORE...WHICH IS BEGINNING TO IMPACT THE COAST THIS AFTERNOON
AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING.
WEST TO SOUTHWEST SWELL OF 15 FEET IS ALREADY BEING REPORTED BY
THE COASTAL BUOYS THIS AFTERNOON. THIS SWELL WILL BUILD TO 17 TO
19 FEET OVERNIGHT TONIGHT...AND IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN 17 TO 19
FEET THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING. THE LARGE SWELL WILL CAUSE HAZARDOUS
CONDITIONS IN AND NEAR THE SURF ZONE...SO BEACHGOERS SHOULD USE
EXTREME CAUTION IF VENTURING NEAR THE WATER. THE SWELL IS EXPECTED
TO GRADUALLY SUBSIDE THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A HIGH SURF ADVISORY MEANS THAT HIGH SURF WILL AFFECT BEACHES IN
THE ADVISORY AREA...PRODUCING RIP CURRENTS AND LOCALIZED BEACH
EROSION.
IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO VENTURE NEAR THE COAST UNDER HIGH
SURF CONDITIONS. PEOPLE AT TIMES ARE SWEPT OFF ROCKS AND JETTIES
AND DROWN WHILE OBSERVING HIGH SURF. STAY WELL BACK FROM THE
WATERS EDGE AND BE ALERT FOR THE EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH WAVE
201 PM PST WED DEC 16 2009
ORZ001-002-170615-
/O.CON.KPQR.SU.Y.0011.091217T0200Z-091217T2000Z/
NORTH OREGON COAST-CENTRAL OREGON COAST-
201 PM PST WED DEC 16 2009
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO
NOON PST THURSDAY...
A HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO
NOON PST THURSDAY.
A STRONG STORM SYSTEM MOVING INTO BRITISH COLUMBIA TODAY IS
PUSHING A VIGOROUS FRONTAL SYSTEM ONSHORE INTO WASHINGTON AND
OREGON THIS AFTERNOON. STRONG WINDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STORM AND
FRONTAL SYSTEM ARE CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT SWELL TO DEVELOP
OFFSHORE...WHICH IS BEGINNING TO IMPACT THE COAST THIS AFTERNOON
AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING.
WEST TO SOUTHWEST SWELL OF 15 FEET IS ALREADY BEING REPORTED BY
THE COASTAL BUOYS THIS AFTERNOON. THIS SWELL WILL BUILD TO 17 TO
19 FEET OVERNIGHT TONIGHT...AND IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN 17 TO 19
FEET THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING. THE LARGE SWELL WILL CAUSE HAZARDOUS
CONDITIONS IN AND NEAR THE SURF ZONE...SO BEACHGOERS SHOULD USE
EXTREME CAUTION IF VENTURING NEAR THE WATER. THE SWELL IS EXPECTED
TO GRADUALLY SUBSIDE THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A HIGH SURF ADVISORY MEANS THAT HIGH SURF WILL AFFECT BEACHES IN
THE ADVISORY AREA...PRODUCING RIP CURRENTS AND LOCALIZED BEACH
EROSION.
IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO VENTURE NEAR THE COAST UNDER HIGH
SURF CONDITIONS. PEOPLE AT TIMES ARE SWEPT OFF ROCKS AND JETTIES
AND DROWN WHILE OBSERVING HIGH SURF. STAY WELL BACK FROM THE
WATERS EDGE AND BE ALERT FOR THE EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH WAVE
First winter storm slams region
By Larry MeyerArgus Observer
For entire article use link
http://www.argusobserver.com/articles/2009/12/16/news/doc4b2926a5dd43b743268467.prt
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 16, 2009 Last modified: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 10:44 AM PST
Trucks line up along Interstate 84, from the North Ontario Interchange to the west, Tuesday, as drivers prepare for the drive over snowy hills, possibly waiting for the freeway close farther north.
ONTARIO -During the last few days, Chris Rasmussen has learned to live with ice and snow.The Omaha, Neb., trucker was at Love’s Truck Stop Tuesday, thumping through some videos — once again waiting.
He’s done a lot of waiting lately.Rasmussen said he had only made it from Caldwell yesterday morning and faced a gauntlet of ice and snow across Wyoming and Utah.
For entire article use link
http://www.argusobserver.com/articles/2009/12/16/news/doc4b2926a5dd43b743268467.prt
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 16, 2009 Last modified: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 10:44 AM PST
Trucks line up along Interstate 84, from the North Ontario Interchange to the west, Tuesday, as drivers prepare for the drive over snowy hills, possibly waiting for the freeway close farther north.
ONTARIO -During the last few days, Chris Rasmussen has learned to live with ice and snow.The Omaha, Neb., trucker was at Love’s Truck Stop Tuesday, thumping through some videos — once again waiting.
He’s done a lot of waiting lately.Rasmussen said he had only made it from Caldwell yesterday morning and faced a gauntlet of ice and snow across Wyoming and Utah.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Oregon State Police cracking down during Holidays
Law enforcement leaders in Oregon announced today they will be joining with thousands of other law enforcement and highway agencies across the nation during the upcoming national crackdown on impaired driving,December 16 to January 3, 2010.
Drunk driving is one of America's deadliest crimes. In 2008, 11,773 peopledied in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle rider with ablood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. The picture for womenis particularly concerning. Twenty-one percent of the 5,473 female driverskilled in crashes in 2008 had BAC levels of .08 or higher.
In the past decade in Oregon, more than 2,000 individuals were killed andover 26,000 people were injured by drinking and drugged drivers."By working together toward a common goal of reducing the incidents ofdrinking and drugged driving, we will enjoy a safer roadway system,"Governor Ted Kulongoski wrote in proclaiming December as Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness month.
"Our message is simple so there should be no excuses or exceptions: if you drive impaired you will be arrested," said Oregon State Police (OSP)Superintendent Timothy McLain."Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest." is the name of the national crackdown on impaired driving. It is a deterrence program organized bythe U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration (NHTSA) that focuses on combining high-visibilityenforcement with heightened public awareness through advertising andpublicity.
"Driving with a BAC of .08 or higher is illegal in every state. Yet wecontinue to see far too many people suffer debilitating injuries and lossof their loved ones as a result of someone else's poor decision to drivewhile impaired. This careless disregard for human life must stop," saidTillamook County Sheriff Todd Anderson, President of the Oregon StateSheriff's Association (OSSA)."Drunk driving is simply not worth the risk. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash oran arrest for impaired driving can be significant," said City of TheDalles Police Chief Jay Waterbury, who is also President of the OregonAssociation of Chiefs of Police (OACP). "Violators often face jail time,the loss of their driver's license, higher insurance rates, attorney fees,time away from work, and dozens of other expenses. So don't take thechance.
Remember, if you are over the limit, you are under arrest."Three important enforcement periods fall within the 19 day crackdownperiod:* "National Holiday Lifesaver Weekend" (12:01 a.m., Friday, December 18th,through 11:59 p.m., Sunday, December 20th). a public awareness effortconducted since 1991 the weekend preceding Christmas.* Christmas Holiday period (6:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 23rd, through11:59 p.m., Sunday, December 27th). During last years 102-hour Christmasholiday period, six people were killed in 6 separate Oregon traffic crashes. According to ODOT's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)statistics, during the last ten years over this holiday period an averageof 4 traffic deaths have occurred. OSP troopers arrested 50 DUII driversover the 2008 holiday period.
* New Year's Holiday period (6:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 30th, through11:59 p.m., Sunday, January 3rd, 2010). During last year's 102-hour NewYear's holiday period, seven people were killed in 5 separate Oregontraffic crashes. According to FARS statistics, during the last ten yearsover this holiday period an average of more than 5 traffic deaths haveoccurred. OSP troopers reported more than 50 DUII arrests over last year'sNew Year's holiday period.OSP, OSSA, OACP and ODOT urge holiday travelers to remember these tips:
* Don't drink and drive ("Buzzed driving is drunk driving"), and don'tride with anyone who has had too much to drink
.* Never use illegal drugs.* Volunteer to be a designated driver.
* If someone who's been drinking insists on driving, take his/her keys.
* If hosting a gathering, provide non-alcoholic beverages.
* Use public transit or local drive-home services provided by taxis andother companies.* Always use safety restraints.
* Avoid travel after midnight, especially on weekends or holidays.
* Drive defensively at all times.
* Report any suspected impaired driving by calling 1-800-24DRUNK(800-243-7865) or 9-1-
1.While traveling this holiday season, and every day of the year, look foremergency responders working along our roads. Remember Oregon's "MoveOver Law" has an important change effective January 1, 2010 that addsroadside assistance vehicles and tow vehicles to the list requiringmotorists to "maintain a safe distance". Motorists will be required to:
* Make a lane change to a lane not adjacent to that of an emergency vehicle, roadside assistance vehicle, tow vehicle or ambulance; or
* Reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a speed that is at least 5miles per hour under the posted speed limit, if making a lane change is unsafe.
In addition to travel challenges faced with impaired drivers on our roads,travelers will also need to pay attention for unexpected changes withwinter-related road conditions. The "Oregon Winter Driving Guide",developed by the Governor's Transportation/Tourism Task Force, is ahelpful resource for motorists with information on Oregon's laws thatgovern use of tire chains, tips for driving in icy or snowy conditions,and a checklist of equipment for roadside emergencies.
The free guide is available at visitor information centers and conventionbureaus, welcome centers and information kiosks, Les Schwab Tire Centers,Department of Transportation offices, and from members of the OregonLodging Association. The guide is also available online at tripcheck.com,traveloregon.com, oregontic.com, and oregonlodging.com. A link is also available on the Oregon State Police web site.
For more information, visit www.Stopimpaireddriving.org.
Drunk driving is one of America's deadliest crimes. In 2008, 11,773 peopledied in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle rider with ablood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. The picture for womenis particularly concerning. Twenty-one percent of the 5,473 female driverskilled in crashes in 2008 had BAC levels of .08 or higher.
In the past decade in Oregon, more than 2,000 individuals were killed andover 26,000 people were injured by drinking and drugged drivers."By working together toward a common goal of reducing the incidents ofdrinking and drugged driving, we will enjoy a safer roadway system,"Governor Ted Kulongoski wrote in proclaiming December as Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness month.
"Our message is simple so there should be no excuses or exceptions: if you drive impaired you will be arrested," said Oregon State Police (OSP)Superintendent Timothy McLain."Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest." is the name of the national crackdown on impaired driving. It is a deterrence program organized bythe U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration (NHTSA) that focuses on combining high-visibilityenforcement with heightened public awareness through advertising andpublicity.
"Driving with a BAC of .08 or higher is illegal in every state. Yet wecontinue to see far too many people suffer debilitating injuries and lossof their loved ones as a result of someone else's poor decision to drivewhile impaired. This careless disregard for human life must stop," saidTillamook County Sheriff Todd Anderson, President of the Oregon StateSheriff's Association (OSSA)."Drunk driving is simply not worth the risk. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash oran arrest for impaired driving can be significant," said City of TheDalles Police Chief Jay Waterbury, who is also President of the OregonAssociation of Chiefs of Police (OACP). "Violators often face jail time,the loss of their driver's license, higher insurance rates, attorney fees,time away from work, and dozens of other expenses. So don't take thechance.
Remember, if you are over the limit, you are under arrest."Three important enforcement periods fall within the 19 day crackdownperiod:* "National Holiday Lifesaver Weekend" (12:01 a.m., Friday, December 18th,through 11:59 p.m., Sunday, December 20th). a public awareness effortconducted since 1991 the weekend preceding Christmas.* Christmas Holiday period (6:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 23rd, through11:59 p.m., Sunday, December 27th). During last years 102-hour Christmasholiday period, six people were killed in 6 separate Oregon traffic crashes. According to ODOT's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)statistics, during the last ten years over this holiday period an averageof 4 traffic deaths have occurred. OSP troopers arrested 50 DUII driversover the 2008 holiday period.
* New Year's Holiday period (6:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 30th, through11:59 p.m., Sunday, January 3rd, 2010). During last year's 102-hour NewYear's holiday period, seven people were killed in 5 separate Oregontraffic crashes. According to FARS statistics, during the last ten yearsover this holiday period an average of more than 5 traffic deaths haveoccurred. OSP troopers reported more than 50 DUII arrests over last year'sNew Year's holiday period.OSP, OSSA, OACP and ODOT urge holiday travelers to remember these tips:
* Don't drink and drive ("Buzzed driving is drunk driving"), and don'tride with anyone who has had too much to drink
.* Never use illegal drugs.* Volunteer to be a designated driver.
* If someone who's been drinking insists on driving, take his/her keys.
* If hosting a gathering, provide non-alcoholic beverages.
* Use public transit or local drive-home services provided by taxis andother companies.* Always use safety restraints.
* Avoid travel after midnight, especially on weekends or holidays.
* Drive defensively at all times.
* Report any suspected impaired driving by calling 1-800-24DRUNK(800-243-7865) or 9-1-
1.While traveling this holiday season, and every day of the year, look foremergency responders working along our roads. Remember Oregon's "MoveOver Law" has an important change effective January 1, 2010 that addsroadside assistance vehicles and tow vehicles to the list requiringmotorists to "maintain a safe distance". Motorists will be required to:
* Make a lane change to a lane not adjacent to that of an emergency vehicle, roadside assistance vehicle, tow vehicle or ambulance; or
* Reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a speed that is at least 5miles per hour under the posted speed limit, if making a lane change is unsafe.
In addition to travel challenges faced with impaired drivers on our roads,travelers will also need to pay attention for unexpected changes withwinter-related road conditions. The "Oregon Winter Driving Guide",developed by the Governor's Transportation/Tourism Task Force, is ahelpful resource for motorists with information on Oregon's laws thatgovern use of tire chains, tips for driving in icy or snowy conditions,and a checklist of equipment for roadside emergencies.
The free guide is available at visitor information centers and conventionbureaus, welcome centers and information kiosks, Les Schwab Tire Centers,Department of Transportation offices, and from members of the OregonLodging Association. The guide is also available online at tripcheck.com,traveloregon.com, oregontic.com, and oregonlodging.com. A link is also available on the Oregon State Police web site.
For more information, visit www.Stopimpaireddriving.org.
Traffic conditions
ODOT/Eastern Oregon: I-84 closed La Grande to Arlington (east andwestbound) due to icy condition and truck crashes. All major routes inUmatilla Co. closed (I-82, OR Hwy. 11, US 730). Closures are due totrucks blocking and extremely ice condition. Roadblocks are not manned at all hwys at this time. Severe icy conditions. ODOT advised alltravelers to stay home.
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