Does Cowlitz County Have a Plan for Radiological Events?

Cowlitz County has a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) which governs how we respond to any type of emergency situation. We have created this plan in conjunction with many of our planning partners and it addresses the coordinating agencies and general process for how key decisions are made when emergencies occur.

On health-specific situations, the Cowlitz County Public Health department has a more specific public health emergency plan because health emergency situation are often slower-developing and involve additional laws beyond RCW 38.52 (which is the law which pertains to most emergency situations).

What Would You Expect to See Happen During a Radiological Hazard Situation?
 Atmospheric Monitoring occurs by the State Department of Health (this is occurring now).
 Monitoring provides data that suggests there is a possible threat to human health.
 State Health Departments notify Local Health Departments & Emergency Management agencies.
 State and/or CDC provide protective action guidelines for the general public.
 Local Public Health and Emergency Management agencies work with stakeholders to conduct notifications to policy officials and community and implement any recommendations or guidelines.
 Depending on the nature of the missions & personnel need to complete key tasks, Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) may be activated to coordinate these issues.

Where Are We At Right Now?
Atmospheric Monitoring is underway. And, to date, there is no evidence to believe that a local threat exists in this situation. As with any potential emergency, the best thing you can arm yourself with is knowledge. Also, make sure that you are reading and watching credible sources, don't believe everything that every basement blogger says (What's that? Irony, party of one?). For a list of websites to learn more about radiological emergencies, click here and scroll to the bottom. The more you learn about something that scares you, the less intimidating it becomes. The only exception being spiders, the more I learn about spiders the more they freak me out.