NPM is held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities.
September 2010 is the seventh annual NPM. This year will focus on encouraging Americans to work together to take concrete actions toward emergency preparedness. We are encouraging all Americans to join the readiness team and truly help themselves, their neighbors and their communities be Ready.
• NPM Coalition membership is open to all public and private sector organizations. Groups can register to become an NPM Coalition Member by visiting ready.gov and clicking on the NPM banner.
• In 2009, nearly 2,700 organizations joined the Ready Campaign in promoting the readiness message across the country in homes, schools, businesses, and communities to highlight the importance of individual and community public emergency preparedness throughout September.
• During NPM, Coalition Members share preparedness information with their members, customers, employees, and communities. Members spearhead activities that encourage specific steps for individual, neighborhood, and community preparedness.
• Throughout the year, the Ready Campaign promotes individual emergency preparedness. Ready is a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign, produced in partnership with The Advertising Council, to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.
• The Campaign’s Web sites (ready.gov and listo.gov) and toll-free numbers (1-800-BE-READY, TTY 1-800-462-7585, and 1-888-SE-LISTO) provide Americans with free emergency preparedness information.
• Citizen Corps is FEMA's grassroots strategy to bring together government and community leaders to involve citizens in all-hazards emergency preparedness and resilience. Local Citizen Corps Councils enable collaborative planning between government and civic leaders and provide localized support for: outreach and educational efforts to the public; training and exercises that effectively integrate all sectors of the community; and volunteer programs that augment the full range of emergency response services.
For more information about Citizen Corps, visit www.citizencorps.gov.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Free Children Identification Kits
For the third year, the Oregon State Police - Missing Children Clearinghouse will hand out free Children Identification Kits, available in Spanish and English, during the 2010 Oregon State Fair in Salem. In addition to handing out kits on two separate dates mentioned below, State Police employees will also offer to take and print photographs of a child to place inside the kit to take home. The Child ID Kits will be made available on the listed dates at the Oregon State Police table located near the amphitheater.
During the last two years, 14,000 free Children Identification Kits and 3,200 brochures were handed out by OSP at the state fair. The ID Complete Child Identification and DNA kits contain the cheek swab for DNA collection, and the kits only take a few minutes to fill out with valuable information useful to police in the event that a child is missing.
"As of today there are approximately 800 kids under the age of 18 listed in LEDS/NCIC as missing by Oregon law enforcement area agencies of which over 92 percent are runaways 4 - 5 percent are victims of custodial interference, and the remaining are missing under unknown circumstances," says Judy Hayes of the Oregon State Police Missing Children Clearinghouse. "These kits continue to be a wonderful proactive method to be prepared in case your child ever becomes missing, and they are also a great way to help open up communication lines with your children regarding child safety."
The free child ID Complete kits will be available on the following dates and times:
* Monday, August 30th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
* Wednesday, September 1st, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The child ID Complete kits were purchased with money raised during the annual Oregon State Police Missing Children Golf Benefit held in Salem last month, raising $12,500 which was the second highest amount in the benefit's twelve years. This year's golf benefit fundraiser will help purchase approximately 18,000 ID Complete Kits available for distribution through the Missing Children Clearinghouse.
Parents and families not attending the Oregon State Fair may obtain a child ID Complete kit from the Oregon State Police - Missing Children Clearinghouse at (503) 934-0188 or outside Salem at 1-800-282-7155 or e-mail child.idkits@state.or.us. Please provide your name, address, number of kits needed and a call back phone number when making a request.
During the last two years, 14,000 free Children Identification Kits and 3,200 brochures were handed out by OSP at the state fair. The ID Complete Child Identification and DNA kits contain the cheek swab for DNA collection, and the kits only take a few minutes to fill out with valuable information useful to police in the event that a child is missing.
"As of today there are approximately 800 kids under the age of 18 listed in LEDS/NCIC as missing by Oregon law enforcement area agencies of which over 92 percent are runaways 4 - 5 percent are victims of custodial interference, and the remaining are missing under unknown circumstances," says Judy Hayes of the Oregon State Police Missing Children Clearinghouse. "These kits continue to be a wonderful proactive method to be prepared in case your child ever becomes missing, and they are also a great way to help open up communication lines with your children regarding child safety."
The free child ID Complete kits will be available on the following dates and times:
* Monday, August 30th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
* Wednesday, September 1st, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The child ID Complete kits were purchased with money raised during the annual Oregon State Police Missing Children Golf Benefit held in Salem last month, raising $12,500 which was the second highest amount in the benefit's twelve years. This year's golf benefit fundraiser will help purchase approximately 18,000 ID Complete Kits available for distribution through the Missing Children Clearinghouse.
Parents and families not attending the Oregon State Fair may obtain a child ID Complete kit from the Oregon State Police - Missing Children Clearinghouse at (503) 934-0188 or outside Salem at 1-800-282-7155 or e-mail child.idkits@state.or.us. Please provide your name, address, number of kits needed and a call back phone number when making a request.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
CSEPP Siren Test Scheduled For Tuesday, August 31st
Pendleton, Ore. -- A test of the Oregon Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP)siren system is scheduled for noon on Tuesday, August 31. The test coincides with tests of CSEPP sirens onthe Umatilla Chemical Depot and in Benton County, Washington.
The 76 sirens will begin the test with a verbal message in English and Spanish reminding people that it is only a test. The message will be followed by sounding of the Westminster chimes. In a chemical emergency, the sirens would blare a distinctly different alert tone for three-minutes followed by instructions in English and Spanish.
Highway message reader boards along I-82 and I-84 will also be tested Tuesday. Motorists will see a reminder of the noon siren test displayed. The sirens and highway reader boards are two of five public warning systems that would be activated by emergency management officials in the event of a chemical emergency at the Umatilla Chemical Depot. The sirens, highway message reader boards and highway advisory radio would alert people who are outdoors.
Tone Alert Radios and the Emergency Alert System would alert people indoors. For more information on public warning systems surrounding the Umatilla Chemical Depot, visit www.csepp.net. Click on "Warning Systems".
For information on how to prepare for emergencies contact Umatilla County Emergency Management toll free at (877) 367-2737, Morrow County Emergency Management at (541) 922-5262 or visit www.csepp.net.
The 76 sirens will begin the test with a verbal message in English and Spanish reminding people that it is only a test. The message will be followed by sounding of the Westminster chimes. In a chemical emergency, the sirens would blare a distinctly different alert tone for three-minutes followed by instructions in English and Spanish.
Highway message reader boards along I-82 and I-84 will also be tested Tuesday. Motorists will see a reminder of the noon siren test displayed. The sirens and highway reader boards are two of five public warning systems that would be activated by emergency management officials in the event of a chemical emergency at the Umatilla Chemical Depot. The sirens, highway message reader boards and highway advisory radio would alert people who are outdoors.
Tone Alert Radios and the Emergency Alert System would alert people indoors. For more information on public warning systems surrounding the Umatilla Chemical Depot, visit www.csepp.net. Click on "Warning Systems".
For information on how to prepare for emergencies contact Umatilla County Emergency Management toll free at (877) 367-2737, Morrow County Emergency Management at (541) 922-5262 or visit www.csepp.net.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
US unprepared for Nuke Attack?
A report released earlier this year by Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness argues that “the U.S. remains unprepared to cope with the possibility of an attack on a major city by terrorists capable of acquiring and detonating an improvised nuclear device” — and urges a public education effort to inform Americans on what they should do in the event of a nuclear detonation to best mitigate its effects.
The study, “Regional Health and Public Health Preparedness for Nuclear Terrorism: Optimizing Survival in a Low Probability/High Consequence Disaster,” is authored by Irwin Redlener, Andrew L. Garrett, Karen L. Levin and Andrew Mener. It was released while this blog was on hiatus so I am posting it now.
The authors contend that our lack of preparedness is in part a result of a lack of understanding that there are things that actually can be done in response:
Although the detonation of a low-yield IND in an American city is one of the 15 planning scenarios developed by the White House Homeland Security Council for use in security preparedness activities, local and regional emergency planning activities have not given attention commensurate to this threat. Barriers to planning for such a catastrophic event are not well understood but may be related to fatalistic beliefs or concepts of improbability, with many believing that other disasters are more probable and merit the focus of emergency planners.
But protective actions will be most useful if they are known in advance:
Following a nuclear detonation, a response based on threat-specific strategies will be essential to maximize time-sensitive life-saving opportunities. Public protective actions to reduce exposure and injury, critical within the first hours, will depend greatly upon a well thought out, pre-event messaging strategy and the ability to communicate easily-understood information to the public. The risk for injury and nuclear detonation effects does not end after the initial blast; the public must understand the correct protective actions and when to take them throughout the response and recovery phases.
The report explains that “in the minutes and hours after the detonation of an IND, the public would need to make a few key decisions in order to maximize their chances of surviving and minimize their injuries and long-term health effects”:
1. Is it better to evacuate now or later?
2. If I stay put, how should I shelter and decontaminate myself to prevent further injury?
3. When I do evacuate, where should I go to avoid placing myself at an increased risk from fallout?
…Individuals will very likely need to make these decisions in the absence of official directions. If local health officials are to dramatically increase the percentage of affected people who can survive, they must make the public aware of the benefits of these initial life-saving responses actions and of knowing what to do in an emergency.
Despite the benefits that these simple protective measures can have, it seems that the widely-known images of the nuclear devastation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and subsequent fictionalized portrayals of nuclear conflict in movies and television-program images of total nuclear devastation have led people to conclude either that preparedness is impossible or that the federal government already must have done everything in its power to protect the country. Both assumptions are inaccurate.
The study recommends what the U.S. should do to address this lack of readiness:
In the United States, virtually no public education has taken place about what an individual should do in the event of a nuclear detonation, although there is urgent and critical need for such education, especially for those living in potential target areas. Also lacking are pre-developed, exercised and well-tested communication plans to deliver rapid information from officials to the public following a nuclear incident…
…A public education campaign that addressed these issues could save lives and reduce injury in the gray zone by empowering the public to initiate life-saving actions without the need for official advice, which may never arrive. Immediate protective actions in the first moments after a detonation are critical. Considering that it might be impossible to get emergency messages to the public after a detonation, it is sensible to equip the public now with basic information on how to best protect themselves and their family should they ever confront this type of disaster.
The study, “Regional Health and Public Health Preparedness for Nuclear Terrorism: Optimizing Survival in a Low Probability/High Consequence Disaster,” is authored by Irwin Redlener, Andrew L. Garrett, Karen L. Levin and Andrew Mener. It was released while this blog was on hiatus so I am posting it now.
The authors contend that our lack of preparedness is in part a result of a lack of understanding that there are things that actually can be done in response:
Although the detonation of a low-yield IND in an American city is one of the 15 planning scenarios developed by the White House Homeland Security Council for use in security preparedness activities, local and regional emergency planning activities have not given attention commensurate to this threat. Barriers to planning for such a catastrophic event are not well understood but may be related to fatalistic beliefs or concepts of improbability, with many believing that other disasters are more probable and merit the focus of emergency planners.
But protective actions will be most useful if they are known in advance:
Following a nuclear detonation, a response based on threat-specific strategies will be essential to maximize time-sensitive life-saving opportunities. Public protective actions to reduce exposure and injury, critical within the first hours, will depend greatly upon a well thought out, pre-event messaging strategy and the ability to communicate easily-understood information to the public. The risk for injury and nuclear detonation effects does not end after the initial blast; the public must understand the correct protective actions and when to take them throughout the response and recovery phases.
The report explains that “in the minutes and hours after the detonation of an IND, the public would need to make a few key decisions in order to maximize their chances of surviving and minimize their injuries and long-term health effects”:
1. Is it better to evacuate now or later?
2. If I stay put, how should I shelter and decontaminate myself to prevent further injury?
3. When I do evacuate, where should I go to avoid placing myself at an increased risk from fallout?
…Individuals will very likely need to make these decisions in the absence of official directions. If local health officials are to dramatically increase the percentage of affected people who can survive, they must make the public aware of the benefits of these initial life-saving responses actions and of knowing what to do in an emergency.
Despite the benefits that these simple protective measures can have, it seems that the widely-known images of the nuclear devastation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and subsequent fictionalized portrayals of nuclear conflict in movies and television-program images of total nuclear devastation have led people to conclude either that preparedness is impossible or that the federal government already must have done everything in its power to protect the country. Both assumptions are inaccurate.
The study recommends what the U.S. should do to address this lack of readiness:
In the United States, virtually no public education has taken place about what an individual should do in the event of a nuclear detonation, although there is urgent and critical need for such education, especially for those living in potential target areas. Also lacking are pre-developed, exercised and well-tested communication plans to deliver rapid information from officials to the public following a nuclear incident…
…A public education campaign that addressed these issues could save lives and reduce injury in the gray zone by empowering the public to initiate life-saving actions without the need for official advice, which may never arrive. Immediate protective actions in the first moments after a detonation are critical. Considering that it might be impossible to get emergency messages to the public after a detonation, it is sensible to equip the public now with basic information on how to best protect themselves and their family should they ever confront this type of disaster.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Wildfire east of Gov’t Camp forces some to evacuate
From KATU - PORTLAND, Ore. - The White Lightning Complex fire east of Government Camp and on the Warm Springs Reservation has forced several people to evacuate and is now more than 24,000 acres in size.
The fire is five times bigger than it was Friday and is only 10 percent contained. Dry brush is fueling the blaze. Firefighters dumped water on the flames from the air on Monday but efforts to fight the fire are being frustrated by bone-dry conditions.
100 rafters were stranded on the Deschutes River over the weekend. While some escaped, others floated through the night to safety.
Three structures have burned and another 25 are threatened.
The fire is five times bigger than it was Friday and is only 10 percent contained. Dry brush is fueling the blaze. Firefighters dumped water on the flames from the air on Monday but efforts to fight the fire are being frustrated by bone-dry conditions.
100 rafters were stranded on the Deschutes River over the weekend. While some escaped, others floated through the night to safety.
Three structures have burned and another 25 are threatened.
Monday, August 23, 2010
National Preparedness Month is Almost Here!
There are only 8 days left until National Preparedness Month (NPM)! If you haven’t done so already, please consider joining the NPM Coalition. More than 2,800 organizations have signed up so far. Help us reach our goal of more than 3,200!
NPM is designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. NPM Coalition membership is open to all public and private sector organizations for free. By joining the Coalition your organization would agree to promote emergency preparedness during the month of September.
Once you register you will receive access to the NPM Web site where you can find a toolkit that includes templates, resources, and tips to assist you with promoting emergency preparedness. You will also find an NPM calendar where you can post your events and see what other organizations are doing in your community. In addition, can share your success stories and read about the successes of others.
You can register to become an NPM Coalition Member by visiting http://ready.adcouncil.org. To learn more about NPM, visit www.ready.gov and click on the NPM banner. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Ready Campaign at NPM@dhs.gov.
NPM is designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. NPM Coalition membership is open to all public and private sector organizations for free. By joining the Coalition your organization would agree to promote emergency preparedness during the month of September.
Once you register you will receive access to the NPM Web site where you can find a toolkit that includes templates, resources, and tips to assist you with promoting emergency preparedness. You will also find an NPM calendar where you can post your events and see what other organizations are doing in your community. In addition, can share your success stories and read about the successes of others.
You can register to become an NPM Coalition Member by visiting http://ready.adcouncil.org. To learn more about NPM, visit www.ready.gov and click on the NPM banner. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Ready Campaign at NPM@dhs.gov.
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