What's New?

September is National Preparedness Month and Weather Radio Awareness Month.  Earthquake drills, tsunami drills, and coastal tsunami warning tests are scheduled for September 15 at 10:15 am.  For more information, see Washington State Emergency Management's website at http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/prep_index.shtml  

CHECK OUT:  Washington State Emergency Management has a KIDZ Disaster web site which offers puzzles, games and other interesting educational information. 

The Weather Radio Awareness Month campaign information is on the state Emergency Management's website at http://emd.wa.gov.   During the month of September some vendors offer discounts on weather radios.

September is a great time to ensure you have a working weather radio, stock up your preparedness supplies, and exercise your family's emergency and disaster plans.

Thurston Co. Emergency Preparedness Expo 2010 - Take Winter by Storm!    FREE!!

This year's Thurston County Emergency Preparedness Expo takes place on October 9, 2010.  The expo will be held at St. Martin's University, Marcus Pavilion & Worthington Center in Lacey.  

Highlights of the expo include expert speakers, demos, and prizes!!  Please click here for more information.  Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

Faith Communities Disaster Preparedness Meeting and Web Page

Local faith organizations meet quarterly to discuss disaster planning for their organizations and for the community. Contact Vivian Eason at 360-786-5243 or easonv@co.thurston.wa.us for more information or, click here.

The next meeting is scheduled for:

Neighborhood Preparedness Training

Thurston County Emergency Management is offering a Map Your Neighborhood (MYN) train-the-trainer course for residents who want to organize their neighborhoods for emergency preparedness. 

The MYN program teaches 9 steps to take immediately after a disaster, shows how to pre-identify skills and equipment available in the neighborhood, and provides information to help neighbors work together to evaluate their neighborhood after a disaster and take necessary action.  Contact Vivian Eason at 360-786-5243 or easonv@co.thurston.wa.us for more information.

Chehalis Basin Flood Hazard Management Plan

The Chehalis Basin Flood Authority has drafted a new Chehalis Basin Flood Hazard Management Plan.  The plan and a comment form can be found on the Flood Authority's website at   http://lewiscountywa.gov/community-development/chehalis-river-basin-flood-authority.

H1N1 Influenza Updates and Information

Current, local information on H1N1 influenza (swine flu) is available at Thurston County Public Health's website at www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/personalhealth/influenza/index.html.  This site also includes links to the Centers for Disease Control and Washington State Department of Health influenza sites, which are updated regularly.

Homeland Security Advisory System

The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security has a citizen preparedness website - Ready.gov.   You can also request a copy of Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness, a 101-page all-hazards preparedness book by calling 1-800-480-2520.

The American Red Cross provides recommendations for individuals, families, neighborhoods, schools and businesses that correspond to the color coded Homeland Security Advisory System.

For information about avian influenza and pandemic influenza, see www.pandemicflu.gov.  For information preparing for flu-related disruptions in the work force, see  It's Not Flu As Usual:  What Businesses Need to Know About Pandemic Flu Planning.   This publication was developed and distributed by the Trust for America's Health.  For more information, see www.healthyamericans.org.