The only difference between adventure and disaster is preparedness.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Thrive Away from Home

Another great preparedness class is coming up!  RSVP today for the upcoming "Thrive Away from Home" seminar from disaster preparedness specialist Marcie Maynes.  Topics addressed include:

Car and Office Planning:  What do I do if an emergency or disaster occurs when I am in my car or at work and I can't get home?

Personal Evacuation Procedures:  How can I carry all the supplies I need to thrive during a disaster?  What if I have physical limitations or a disability?

Sanitation:  How can I create a portable privacy shelter?

Family Reunification Planning:  When an emergency occurs, and I am away from home, how do I find or communicate with my family?

Evacuation with Pets:  How do I evacuate with my pets and where can I go?  What if I can't get home to care for them?

All of these questions will be addressed, as well as a bunch more fantastic and useful information.  Marcie's classes are always fun and informative and this one is even FREE!  The class will be held on March 7th at the PUD Auditorium in Longview (961 12th Avenue) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Join us for prizes, refreshments and more information than you can shake a stick at.  (I never tire of that mental image).  Please RSVP as space is limited.  Email DEM@co.cowlitz.wa.us or call us at 577-3130.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Cute Preparedness Video

Thanks Al Roker!  You can't always predict, but you can prepare!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

True Love Prepares

Valentine's Day is fast approaching!  Like, seriously fast.  If you need some ideas on what to get the sweetie-pie in your life, look no further than disaster supplies.  Not romantic, you say?  Au contraire, mon frere (which is fancy talk for "What'chu talkin' bout Willis?)  What could be more romantic than a backpack filled with emergency food, water, tools, first aid and more?  It's a gift that says, "Hey Girl (or Boy) if there's ever a big disaster, I want you to be safe.  Because I care."

Here are some websites where you can find ideas or products for the ones you love:
www.simple-safety.com

www.preparesmart.com

Flowers die, chocolates are fattening, teddy bears are cliche, but disaster supplies, my friends, disasters supplies are the gift that keeps on giving!

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Map Your Neighborhood

If there was a major earthquake at 3:00 a.m. tomorrow morning (HYPOTHETICALLY, if there really is one tomorrow I apologize in advance) who would be the first people to help you if you needed it?  I'd say it's a pretty safe bet that your neighbors will be the first ones who are able to assist you should you need some help. 

Why not take a little time now to help get your neighbors prepared for disaster?  Working together as a team and contributing as an individual helps develop a stronger community.

The good news is there is already a successful program in place to help you lead a neighborhood meeting, including handouts, guides and a DVD so you don't even have to actually speak to anyone if that's not your thing. 

Come to the Map Your Neighborhood Training Class and learn all about it.  This class is free and will teach you:
  • 9 steps to take immediately following a disaster
  • How to develop a neighborhood skills and equipment inventory
  • How to work together as a team to evaluate your neighborhood after a disaster
  • And lots more
The class will be held on February 21st at the General Meeting Room (3rd Floor) in the Cowlitz County Administration Building at 207 N. 4th Avenue in Kelso.  There will be one offering from Noon to 1:00 p.m. and another from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

To RSVP email Jennifer Engkraf at EngkrafJ@co.cowlitz.wa.us or call 577-3130. 

Friday, February 8, 2013

Community Meeting Notice

You are invited to a Community Meeting with Sheriff Mark Nelson.  Topics to discuss include:
  • Review of Sheriff's Office current status
  • Community Safety
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Law Enforcement in West Longview
  • Mutual Aid/Annexation
  • Question and Answer session
The meeting will be held at Mt. Solo Middle School on February 25th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  If you have questions, please contact Samantha Thompson at (360) 577-3092.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Celebrate National Digital Learning Day

February 6th is National Digital Learning Day.  Who Knew?  So in honor of this why not take some time to do some digital learning of your own?  Here is a small sampling of some great disaster preparedness themed learning you can take advantage of for FREE from the Federal Emergency Management Agency:

1.  Are You Ready?  An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is22.asp (you'll get to find out if you are ready and, if not, how to be ready, plus you get a certificate at the end to show off to your friends)

2.  Social Media in Emergency Management: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is42.asp (Pshaw to Social Media you say? What is Social Media you say? Guess what, if you're reading this you're already participating. How about learning even more?)

3.  Workplace Violence Awareness Training: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is106.13.asp (Do you work with other humans?  Are they sometimes unpredictable? Do you work so close to another human that you can smell their broccoli casserole every Tuesday? This class is a great resource.)

4. Protecting Your Home or Small Business From Disaster: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS394A.asp (Do you own a home or a small business?  This one is a must.)

5.  Active Shooter, What You Can Do: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS907.asp (relevant much?)

This is just a few ideas for free classes you can take right from the comforting glow of your own computer monitor.  This is a better use of your computer time than playing Farmville, I promise!

Large Earthquake in South Pacific Triggers Tsunami

Five people were killed this morning after a massive 8.0 earthquake in the South Pacific triggered a tsunami.  Read more here: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/06/16858962-5-killed-homes-swept-away-as-south-pacific-quake-triggers-3-foot-tsunami?lite

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Citizens' Police Academy

It's time once again for the Cowlitz County Citizens' Police Academy.  This FREE learning academy aims to develop citizen awareness and understanding of the role of law enforcement in our community and an opportunity for law enforcement to hear from you. 

The academy will start on March 6th and is 10 weeks long with classes being held every Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ending on May 8th.

Courses include patrol function, K-9 programs, property crimes, gang enforcement, narcotics investigations, crime prevention, firearms, court process, DUI investigations, traffic law and defensive tactics. 

There are eligibility requirements and an application process, so make sure to check out their website here:  http://www.cowlitzsheriff.org/citizens-police-academy.html.  Applications must be turned in by February 22nd to the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office, Kelso Police Department or Longview Police Department.  For more info call CCSO at (360) 577-3092.

Won't You Subscribe?

Following the great article by the Daily News about our little blog, we've had a bump in blog subscribers, which is fantastic! However, make sure you've followed all of the directions so that you actually receive blog posts. If you have recently subscribed and have not received an email with the days blog posts by 4:00 p.m., make sure you've followed the directions that were contained in the email you should have received from Feed Burner. The email should read as follows:


Hello there,

You recently requested an email subscription to Cowlitz County Sheriff Emergency Management. We can't wait to send the updates you want via email, so please click the following link to activate your subscription immediately: So, then you need to click the link they gave you to actually activate the subscription and get the email. Got it? Great.

As a special gift for our new readers, I will dust off my Subscribe song. If you're not yet a subscriber, you should consider it. Maybe this little ditty set to the tune of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive," will seal the deal:

I WILL SUBSCRIBE

First I was afraid,
I was petrified.

Thinking I could never remember to check the blog
without a guide.

But I spent so many nights
Wondering how I could be so wrong

And I grew strong
And I learned I didn't even have to log on

No, no not I
I'll just subscribe

As long as I know how to type
I know I'll stay online

I've got to know which roads are closed
I've got to know the latest tips

I will subscribe
I will subscribe

Hey HEY!

......Or maybe you think we're all idiots here and this just confirmed it....

Monday, February 4, 2013

5th Annual Guns & Hoses Games

Looking for something fun to do this weekend?  Check out the 5th Annual Guns and Hoses Football Game at Kelso School's Schroeder Field.  Admission is FREE!  Plus there will be spectacular raffle items such as Great Wolf Lodge vacation packages, signed sports memorabilia and lots more.  All raffle proceeds will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  Gates open at 1:00 p.m. and the game starts at 2:00 p.m.   Who will win?  Police or Fire?

Take a minute to "like" their Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/GunsHosesFootballKelsoWa