SEATTLE— Next week is National Arson Awareness Week, and this year’s theme is Community Arson Prevention. According to FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger, the goal of this year’s Arson Awareness Week is to focus attention on the horrific crime of arson, and provide communities with tools and strategies to combat arson in their neighborhoods, businesses, schools and places of worship.
“Arson robs communities of their most valuable assets—lives and property,” said Hunsinger. “Fighting arson effectively takes the entire community. Firefighters across the country do the very best they can, but they can’t do it alone.”
Steps that can reduce incidents of arson include:
• Contact your local fire or police department if you know or suspect an arson crime.
• Report suspicious activity near houses or other buildings. Support Neighborhood Watch programs.
• Keep leaves and flammable debris away from buildings. Don’t make it easy for an arsonist to start a fire or facilitate a fire’s spread to adjacent buildings.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of small children.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2008 Uniform Crime Reporting statistics showed that 14,011 law enforcement agencies reported 62,807 arsons. Arsons involving structures (residential, storage, public, etc.) accounted for 43.4 percent of the total number of arson offenses. Mobile property (cars, motorcycles, etc.) was involved in 28.9 percent of arsons, and other types of property (such as crops, timber, fences, etc.) accounted for 27.7 percent of reported arsons.
For more information, including a media kit for the 2010 Arson Awareness Week campaign, please visit the USFA’s Web site at www.usfa.dhs.gov.
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.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Do you remember a time when there was no 911 system?
It was our responsibility to have emergency phone numbers available. The 911 system has been a huge improvement and very reliable but we take it for granted as we do our much of our technology. We need to remember that all technology is dependent upon sometimes unpredictable things such as electricity, towers, satellites, and weather.
When the 911 system is interrupted, it is often during the worst possible time so we are reminding everyone to have the phone numbers to the police, fire, Veterinarian, and ambulance posted by your phones or in a location known by each member of the family.
Phone service may also be interrupted. It is important to check your home and cell phones by calling neighbors and establishing your own communication system in the event of an emergency. Neighbors should maintain contact with each other for mutual support. Being ready for the unexpected is what emergency preparedness is all about.
Remember, you can not Text 911. You must call and if you call from a cell phone you need to be prepared to give your location to the call taker.
When the 911 system is interrupted, it is often during the worst possible time so we are reminding everyone to have the phone numbers to the police, fire, Veterinarian, and ambulance posted by your phones or in a location known by each member of the family.
Phone service may also be interrupted. It is important to check your home and cell phones by calling neighbors and establishing your own communication system in the event of an emergency. Neighbors should maintain contact with each other for mutual support. Being ready for the unexpected is what emergency preparedness is all about.
Remember, you can not Text 911. You must call and if you call from a cell phone you need to be prepared to give your location to the call taker.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Did you know you can dial 211 for help?
Unless you live under a rock, you know that for fire, police and other emergencies you can dial 911. Did you know that you might not need to?
There is a service in six Oregon counties called 211. This is also a single easy-to-remember number that helps people find assistance with critical health and human services information and in an emergency can support effective disaster response.
In simple terms this means that if you live in Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Crook, Deschutes, or Jefferson, calling 211 may be what you need. These services are limited due to lack of funding but hopefully in the future will be available statewide.
It can be overwhelmingly difficult to find a phone number for an agency or help line. We often give up and go without necessary services. By calling 211, a person can get information or referral for family and individual needs, financial assistance, housing and shelter, healthcare, food, government programs, mental health, education, and employment.
In normal times and in disasters, this number provides information to deal with a personal crisis, leaving 911 for life-threatening situations.
Next time you have a need that is not life-threatening; remember 211 might be available to you. If it’s not today, it may be tomorrow. The 211 program is currently covering approximately 78 percent of the US population with varying degrees of service in 26 states including statewide coverage in Washington, Idaho and Utah.
There is a service in six Oregon counties called 211. This is also a single easy-to-remember number that helps people find assistance with critical health and human services information and in an emergency can support effective disaster response.
In simple terms this means that if you live in Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Crook, Deschutes, or Jefferson, calling 211 may be what you need. These services are limited due to lack of funding but hopefully in the future will be available statewide.
It can be overwhelmingly difficult to find a phone number for an agency or help line. We often give up and go without necessary services. By calling 211, a person can get information or referral for family and individual needs, financial assistance, housing and shelter, healthcare, food, government programs, mental health, education, and employment.
In normal times and in disasters, this number provides information to deal with a personal crisis, leaving 911 for life-threatening situations.
Next time you have a need that is not life-threatening; remember 211 might be available to you. If it’s not today, it may be tomorrow. The 211 program is currently covering approximately 78 percent of the US population with varying degrees of service in 26 states including statewide coverage in Washington, Idaho and Utah.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Steps to Help Keep Pets Safe and Healthy
April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month™ and a reminder to keep your family pet safe and healthy as we head into spring and summer. See the American Red Cross steps to keep your pet safe. Also, be on the lookout for National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day on May 8 meant to raise awareness about the importance of planning for pets' safety before disaster strikes. http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=954cd9a8214f7210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD&vgnextchannel=23f28d5f8b6de110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD
Thursday, April 22, 2010
OREGON ARMY NATIONAL GUARD HELICOPTER ASSISTS IN SEARCH FOR SKIER AT YEON STATE PARK IN MULTNOMAH COUNTY
News Release from: Oregon Military Department
Posted: April 22nd, 2010 11:02 AM
SALEM, Ore -- The Oregon Army National Guard is supporting the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office in a search effort using an OH-58 Kiowa Helicopter at Yeon State Park in Multnomah County in the Columbia River Gorge.
The OH-58 launched from the Salem Flight Facility at approximately 10 a.m. Thursday morning to assist in the search for a 60 year old accomplished hiker who left for a hike Wednesday afternoon and never returned. His family reported him missing later that evening when he didn't return as expected.
The Multnomah County Sheriff's Department is the lead agency coordinating all search efforts.
For the Army Fact File on the OH-58 Kiowa go to:
http://www.army.mil/factfiles/equipment/aircraft/kiowa.html.
Contact Info: Contact Info:
Cpt. Stephen Bomar
Oregon Military Department, Public Affairs Officer
503-584-3885
Posted: April 22nd, 2010 11:02 AM
SALEM, Ore -- The Oregon Army National Guard is supporting the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office in a search effort using an OH-58 Kiowa Helicopter at Yeon State Park in Multnomah County in the Columbia River Gorge.
The OH-58 launched from the Salem Flight Facility at approximately 10 a.m. Thursday morning to assist in the search for a 60 year old accomplished hiker who left for a hike Wednesday afternoon and never returned. His family reported him missing later that evening when he didn't return as expected.
The Multnomah County Sheriff's Department is the lead agency coordinating all search efforts.
For the Army Fact File on the OH-58 Kiowa go to:
http://www.army.mil/factfiles/equipment/aircraft/kiowa.html.
Contact Info: Contact Info:
Cpt. Stephen Bomar
Oregon Military Department, Public Affairs Officer
503-584-3885
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Why Drop, Cover and hold on?
April Earthquake Proclamation Month
Practice the Right Thing to Do.
It Could Save Your Life.
Who: You
What: Earthquake drill
When: April 21, 2010, 2 PM
Where: Right where you are
Why: Practice makes perfect sense
How: Drop, cover and hold on!
Learn more by watching the
video http://www.clackamas.us/emergency/shakedown/.
On April 21, 2010, Clackamas County will be conducting its annual, State-mandated, earthquake drill. All government employees are required to practice how to Drop, Cover and Hold On – the recommended personal protective action to take during an earthquake.
You will be more likely to react quickly when shaking begins if you have actually practiced how to protect yourself on a regular basis. A great time to practice Drop, Cover and Hold On is by participating in the Clackamas County Shakedown on April 21st.
Practice the Right Thing to Do.
It Could Save Your Life.
Who: You
What: Earthquake drill
When: April 21, 2010, 2 PM
Where: Right where you are
Why: Practice makes perfect sense
How: Drop, cover and hold on!
Learn more by watching the
video http://www.clackamas.us/emergency/shakedown/.
On April 21, 2010, Clackamas County will be conducting its annual, State-mandated, earthquake drill. All government employees are required to practice how to Drop, Cover and Hold On – the recommended personal protective action to take during an earthquake.
You will be more likely to react quickly when shaking begins if you have actually practiced how to protect yourself on a regular basis. A great time to practice Drop, Cover and Hold On is by participating in the Clackamas County Shakedown on April 21st.
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