It’s that time of year again. The weather will start to get nice and the local rivers and lakes will soon be booming with sport and recreational boats. The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend an invitation to all boat and personal watercraft owners. Come on out to the Willow Grove Boat launch on Sunday, June 9th, between the hours of 10AM and 2PM for your free marine vessel safety inspection.
Each vessel that passes inspection will receive their 2013 Marine Safety Decal. Additional boating information will also be available.
For additional information contact Deputy Jordan Spencer at the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office at 360-577-3092.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
A Big Thank You to our Volunteers!
This week, Cowlitz County DEM participated in a full scale Public Health exercise testing our ability to respond to a bio-terrorism attack. We were fortunate to have support from volunteers to act as victims, work in our Emergency Operations Center, run emergency communications and much, much more. Our office and our response could not be successful without fabulous citizen volunteers. Thank you!
Friday, May 17, 2013
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Pipeline Safety
Our fair country is crisscrossed by numerous pipelines carrying all kinds of liquid products. Do you know what to do if a pipeline leak occurs near you? Here are some safety tips courtesy of our friends at AirLiquide.
Signs of a pipeline release:
Signs of a pipeline release:
- Liquid on the ground or a rainbow sheen on water
- Dead vegetation in an otherwise green area
- Dirt blowing into the air
- White vapor cloud
- Mud or water bubbling up
- Frozen area on ground
- Odor such as gas, oil or rotten eggs
- A hissing or roaring sound
- An irritant in the air causing burning eyes, nose or throat
- Evacuate upwind immediately
- Eliminate any ignition sources
- Advise others to stay away
- Call 9-1-1
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
National Police Week
The public is welcome to attend the 3rd Annual Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office Candlelight Vigil commemorating National Police Week on Thursday May 16th from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The vigil will be held at the Kelso-Longview Seventh Day Adventist Church parking lot at 77 Solomon Road in Kelso.
At 9:00 p.m. emergency vehicles will shine their spotlights skyward in honor of those who give, and those who have given.
At 9:00 p.m. emergency vehicles will shine their spotlights skyward in honor of those who give, and those who have given.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Arson Awareness Week
From our friends at Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency
This year's Arson Awareness Week (May 5-11) focuses on how to “Reducing Residential Arson.” The goal is to provide communities with tools and strategies to help combat arson in their neighborhoods. The motivations behind the burning of homes are curiosity, vandalism, concealing another crime, excitement, revenge and insurance fraud or arson for profit.
An estimated 16,800 intentionally set fires in residential buildings occur annually in the United States. These fires result in an estimated 280 deaths, 775 injuries and over $593 million in property loss each year.
Five percent of all residential building fires were intentionally set.
Lighters (22 percent), heat from other open flame or smoking materials (19 percent), and matches (15 percent) were the leading heat sources of intentionally set fires in residential buildings.
The majority (76 percent) of intentionally set fires in residential buildings occurred in one- or two-family dwellings. An additional 19 percent of fires occurred in multifamily dwellings.
Forty-one percent of the intentionally set residential fires occurred in vacant buildings.
Rubbish, trash and waste (8 percent); magazines, newspapers and writing paper (7 percent); and uncontained flammable liquids or gas (6 percent) were the items most often first ignited in intentionally set fires in residential building.
Statistics showed that 14,717 law enforcement agencies reported 43,412 arsons.
Arsons involving single occupancy and other residential structures accounted for 29.3 percent (12,720) of the total number of arson offenses.
Preliminary FBI UCR data from the first six months of 2012 shows an increase in arson offenses for the first time in six years.
Tips to help stop arson in your community:
This year's Arson Awareness Week (May 5-11) focuses on how to “Reducing Residential Arson.” The goal is to provide communities with tools and strategies to help combat arson in their neighborhoods. The motivations behind the burning of homes are curiosity, vandalism, concealing another crime, excitement, revenge and insurance fraud or arson for profit.
An estimated 16,800 intentionally set fires in residential buildings occur annually in the United States. These fires result in an estimated 280 deaths, 775 injuries and over $593 million in property loss each year.
Five percent of all residential building fires were intentionally set.
Lighters (22 percent), heat from other open flame or smoking materials (19 percent), and matches (15 percent) were the leading heat sources of intentionally set fires in residential buildings.
The majority (76 percent) of intentionally set fires in residential buildings occurred in one- or two-family dwellings. An additional 19 percent of fires occurred in multifamily dwellings.
Forty-one percent of the intentionally set residential fires occurred in vacant buildings.
Rubbish, trash and waste (8 percent); magazines, newspapers and writing paper (7 percent); and uncontained flammable liquids or gas (6 percent) were the items most often first ignited in intentionally set fires in residential building.
Statistics showed that 14,717 law enforcement agencies reported 43,412 arsons.
Arsons involving single occupancy and other residential structures accounted for 29.3 percent (12,720) of the total number of arson offenses.
Preliminary FBI UCR data from the first six months of 2012 shows an increase in arson offenses for the first time in six years.
Tips to help stop arson in your community:
- Clean around your house:
- Trim or remove shrubbery that may block the view of your house from the street.
- Remove unused and unneeded paper, trash, cleaning supplies and other materials that could be used as fuel for a fire by an arsonist.
- Install lights that cover all sides of your house.
- Install a burglar and fire alarm system in your home.
- Keep doors and windows locked and bolted.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Live Fire Training Coming Up
On Friday, May 10, 2013 Longview Fire will be conducting a training fire at 201 Fishers Lane. The fire will occur in a small wood framed single family dwelling located next to the old water treatment plant. The purpose of this exercise will be to train and evaluate firefighters and fire officers in a realistic environment utilizing live fire which provides the most authentic training available.
For a building deemed suitable for life fire training all environmentally harmful products such as asbestos have been removed in accordance with the City of Longview and Southwest Clean Air Agency requirements. The live fire training excersize will follow NFPA 1403, Standards for Live Fire Training.
You can expect the following on Friday, May 10, 2013:
* Fire Department units will be on site from 8:30 a.m. until afternoon.
* Fishers Lane will be closed from 9:00 a.m. until about 2:30 p.m. "Local traffic only" for the residents living near the site will be allowed.
* Media will be given special access.
* Road closure hours have been set to avoid conflict with buses and carpools from the nearby elementary school and day care.
* Firefighters will train on interior combat/room fires in the morning, and larger fires as the day progresses.
* The structure will be burned to the ground, beginning around noon.
* Firefighters will be in place to protect nearby structures and vegetation, although this large lot presents minimal risks.
For a building deemed suitable for life fire training all environmentally harmful products such as asbestos have been removed in accordance with the City of Longview and Southwest Clean Air Agency requirements. The live fire training excersize will follow NFPA 1403, Standards for Live Fire Training.
You can expect the following on Friday, May 10, 2013:
* Fire Department units will be on site from 8:30 a.m. until afternoon.
* Fishers Lane will be closed from 9:00 a.m. until about 2:30 p.m. "Local traffic only" for the residents living near the site will be allowed.
* Media will be given special access.
* Road closure hours have been set to avoid conflict with buses and carpools from the nearby elementary school and day care.
* Firefighters will train on interior combat/room fires in the morning, and larger fires as the day progresses.
* The structure will be burned to the ground, beginning around noon.
* Firefighters will be in place to protect nearby structures and vegetation, although this large lot presents minimal risks.
Boil Water Notice for Carrolls Residents
The Washington State Department of Health has issued a Boil Water Notice for Carrolls residents in Cowlitz County.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Living with a Volcano in Your Backyard
In honor of Volcano Awareness Month, your Cowlitz County Emergency Management office is hosting, "Living with a Volcano in Your Backyard." United States Geological Society scientist Tom Pierson will present a workshop on the unique challenges of disaster preparedness in the midst of several active volcanoes. There will be information on lahars, ash fall, volcano science and more. Enter to win disaster supply door prizes!
The presentation will be held at the Cowlitz PUD Auditorium at 961 12th Avenue from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30th.
The presentation will be held at the Cowlitz PUD Auditorium at 961 12th Avenue from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30th.
Monday, May 6, 2013
May is Volcano Awareness Month!
from www.usgs.gov
“Vancouver, Vancouver, this is it!” These immortal words spoken by USGS geologist David Johnston at the onset of the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens still echo and remind us that our volcanoes can quickly awaken causing major disruption and destruction to our communities.
May is Volcano Awareness Month and though no volcanoes in Washington State currently show indications of immediate reawakening, experience has taught us that volcanoes often give us just a few days of warning before an eruption begins.
Consider these facts:
• During the last 4,000 years, eruptions at Cascade volcanoes—from Washington State to northern California happened at an average rate of 1-2 per century, with individual eruptions lasting months, to years to decades.
• Seven volcanoes in the Cascade Range have erupted since our country’s birth; four of these eruptions would have caused substantial damage and loss of life if they occurred today.
• As the population increases in the Pacific Northwest, areas near volcanoes are being developed and recreational usage is expanding, putting more people and property at risk from volcanic activity.
To prepare for future eruptions and thus reduce their negative consequences, the Washington Military Department’s Division of Emergency Management (EMD) and the US Geological Survey (USGS), together with local emergency management agencies, work in partnership to develop emergency coordination plans with communities, and to coordinate communication and recovery efforts. The USGS is also working to improve eruption forecasting and warning capabilities at Cascade volcanoes as part of the National Volcanic Early Warning system. If you need information about plans for your area, please contact your local emergency management office.
Preparing to survive and recover from Washington’s next volcanic eruption will help keep our communities safe and bring peace of mind to inhabitants. Learn about the simple steps we can take to get ready. Preparing today will also help us get back to normal sooner after the next volcanic eruption.
“Vancouver, Vancouver, this is it!” These immortal words spoken by USGS geologist David Johnston at the onset of the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens still echo and remind us that our volcanoes can quickly awaken causing major disruption and destruction to our communities.
May is Volcano Awareness Month and though no volcanoes in Washington State currently show indications of immediate reawakening, experience has taught us that volcanoes often give us just a few days of warning before an eruption begins.
Consider these facts:
• During the last 4,000 years, eruptions at Cascade volcanoes—from Washington State to northern California happened at an average rate of 1-2 per century, with individual eruptions lasting months, to years to decades.
• Seven volcanoes in the Cascade Range have erupted since our country’s birth; four of these eruptions would have caused substantial damage and loss of life if they occurred today.
• As the population increases in the Pacific Northwest, areas near volcanoes are being developed and recreational usage is expanding, putting more people and property at risk from volcanic activity.
To prepare for future eruptions and thus reduce their negative consequences, the Washington Military Department’s Division of Emergency Management (EMD) and the US Geological Survey (USGS), together with local emergency management agencies, work in partnership to develop emergency coordination plans with communities, and to coordinate communication and recovery efforts. The USGS is also working to improve eruption forecasting and warning capabilities at Cascade volcanoes as part of the National Volcanic Early Warning system. If you need information about plans for your area, please contact your local emergency management office.
Preparing to survive and recover from Washington’s next volcanic eruption will help keep our communities safe and bring peace of mind to inhabitants. Learn about the simple steps we can take to get ready. Preparing today will also help us get back to normal sooner after the next volcanic eruption.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Hot Weather = Extreme Caution Near Rivers
Please see the Special Weather Statement from the National Weather Service below. The statements are always in caps, we are not shouting at you. Unless of course, it works to get your attention and saves a life this weekend. Enjoy the weather but be safe!
EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION NEAR RIVERS AND STREAMS OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON THIS WEEKEND...
UNUSUALLY WARM WEATHER THIS WEEKEND AS TEMPERATURES PUSH INTO THE 80S THIS WEEKEND MAY CAUSE SOME PEOPLE TO BEGIN TO THINK ABOUT COOLING OFF IN RIVERS AND STREAMS OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON.
UNFORTUNATELY...SPRING SNOW MELT IS BEGINNING AS WELL. THIS IS CAUSING RIVER FLOWS TO INCREASE AND MAKE SWIMMING MORE DIFFICULT.
BUT IT IS ALSO CAUSING WATER TEMPERATURES IN RIVERS DRAINING THE CASCADES TO FALL WELL INTO THE 40S. LOWER COLUMBIA RIVERS ARE HOVERING IN THE LOWER 50S. COASTAL RIVER TEMPERATURES ARE ALSO NEAR 50 DEGREES.
THESE TEMPERATURES CAUSE CHANGES IN THE BODY QUITE QUICKLY THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO SWIM. THESE COLD TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH SWIFT CURRENTS WILL MAKE SWIMMING ON RIVERS AND STREAMS IN SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON VERY DANGEROUS THIS WEEKEND.
EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION NEAR RIVERS AND STREAMS OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON THIS WEEKEND...
UNUSUALLY WARM WEATHER THIS WEEKEND AS TEMPERATURES PUSH INTO THE 80S THIS WEEKEND MAY CAUSE SOME PEOPLE TO BEGIN TO THINK ABOUT COOLING OFF IN RIVERS AND STREAMS OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON.
UNFORTUNATELY...SPRING SNOW MELT IS BEGINNING AS WELL. THIS IS CAUSING RIVER FLOWS TO INCREASE AND MAKE SWIMMING MORE DIFFICULT.
BUT IT IS ALSO CAUSING WATER TEMPERATURES IN RIVERS DRAINING THE CASCADES TO FALL WELL INTO THE 40S. LOWER COLUMBIA RIVERS ARE HOVERING IN THE LOWER 50S. COASTAL RIVER TEMPERATURES ARE ALSO NEAR 50 DEGREES.
THESE TEMPERATURES CAUSE CHANGES IN THE BODY QUITE QUICKLY THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO SWIM. THESE COLD TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH SWIFT CURRENTS WILL MAKE SWIMMING ON RIVERS AND STREAMS IN SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON VERY DANGEROUS THIS WEEKEND.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Curious how local public health responds to emergencies?
Cowlitz and Wahkiakum County Health Departments will be conducting an emergency exercise on Thursday, May 23rd and volunteers are wanted. Public health staff will be working together on setting up and running a community Point of Distribution (POD). PODs are needed in communities when a large amount of people need to receive important medication to prevent illness in a very short amount of time.
Volunteers must be 18 years or older, and be willing to navigate through the POD multiple times over the course of about 2 hours. Volunteers do need to register to participate. To find out more information, please contact Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management at 577-3130 or at dem@co.cowlitz.wa.us by May 17th.
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