From our friends at Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters (CARD)
Children and Youth: Start ‘Em Young on the Road to Readiness!
Helping a child to feel confident, empowered and safe during emergencies is a great thing for any parent or caregiver to do. Beyond learning to avoid dangers, the habits you instill with your readiness activities can help them be
A.Make it POSITIVE! Instead of focusing on the tragedy of the wrecked car, focus on the first responders; how wonderful they were, how nice the tow truck driver was, how pretty the flashing lights were.
B.Protect children from overhearing grown-up conversations regarding the tragic event.
C.Practice drills with your children like Stop, Drop, and Roll. Make it fun by doing it with them. They will likely remember because of the bonding experience they had with you.
D.Use TV shows as conversation starters. What would you do if that happened to you? How do you think they should have responded? What could they have done differently? You’ll be amazed by what they reveal.
E.Pack a Go-Kit with your child. Make them feel a part of it, let them choose their own backpack and be a part of deciding what goes inside. They will be excited to carry it instead of focusing on why they need to carry it.
Enjoying the world from the perspective of a child is such a wonderful thing. Helping a child be prepared doesn’t have to be a scary. By approaching it in a fun, positive way, and including them whenever possible, you can make this an experience they will use one day to prepare their own children.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
Do You Love A Senior?
This comes from our friends at Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters (CARD).
Seniors and Elders: Old School Readiness!
We just love working with seniors. The stories we hear from our participants in our trainings are often fascinating and often quite funny. We have a lot to learn from generations past. When you’ve lived through multiple wars, experienced the deaths of many friends, and weathered countless tragedies and disasters,you get a different perspective and you develop different priorities.
If you are committed to the seniors in your life being prepared to prosper in the face of emergencies, there are several things you can do.
A.Ensure your senior has a ‘buddy call’ every day. A 2-minute call, done every day, can make a huge difference.
B.Sit down with your senior and fill out a list of people they would like you to call in case of emergency
C.As an activity, work with your senior build them a highly portable Go-Kit (keep it lightweight, and easy to move.)
D.Give preparedness supplies to your senior. Most seniors live on a fixed income, so little things help.
Do your part to make a senior in your life more prepared. It’s a sure-fire way to be a hero, even without a disaster.
Seniors and Elders: Old School Readiness!
We just love working with seniors. The stories we hear from our participants in our trainings are often fascinating and often quite funny. We have a lot to learn from generations past. When you’ve lived through multiple wars, experienced the deaths of many friends, and weathered countless tragedies and disasters,you get a different perspective and you develop different priorities.
If you are committed to the seniors in your life being prepared to prosper in the face of emergencies, there are several things you can do.
A.Ensure your senior has a ‘buddy call’ every day. A 2-minute call, done every day, can make a huge difference.
B.Sit down with your senior and fill out a list of people they would like you to call in case of emergency
C.As an activity, work with your senior build them a highly portable Go-Kit (keep it lightweight, and easy to move.)
D.Give preparedness supplies to your senior. Most seniors live on a fixed income, so little things help.
Do your part to make a senior in your life more prepared. It’s a sure-fire way to be a hero, even without a disaster.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
There's One Thing Your Cellphone Shouldn't Do...
From our friends at Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA)
It's always exciting to get a new phone. New apps, better speed, and many new features, but what do you do with the old one? There are many options to donate them to help keep them out of landfills, but one thing is for certain... An old cell phone with a charge and battery does not make a good toy for a toddler!!
Unfortunately there are some education professionals that have suggested this is a good option as it helps introduce kids to the basics of technology. The flashing lights and beeps make them a favorite play item for many toddlers, however there is one thing that has been overlooked or just not understood. Even a deactivated mobile phone can call 9-1-1 baffling dispatchers and responders while wasting resources and trying to track down the caller to make sure nothing was wrong.
You may not be aware but in the U.S. and Canada, Wireless Mobile Carriers are required by law to provide 9-1-1 service even if they have no official phone service. This means any phone with a charge is still capable of reaching 9-1-1 in an emergency situation. Although this can mean the difference between life and death in real world emergencies, it also creates problems for dispatchers. An example of this is if you are for any reason disconnected from 9-1-1 during your call, the dispatcher is unable to call you back because the dispatcher does not have a telephone number to contact you with.
Allowing a toddler to have an old cell phone as a toy can easily become a problem if they figure out how to dial 9-1-1, especially when they hear a voice on the other end of the call. In fact it can be a criminal act to call 9-1-1 repeatedly for non-emergent reasons. A quick Internet search brought up several stories of individuals that had been charged because of the abuse.
Closer to home, recently a mother was cited in Astoria, OR for her toddler who repeatedly called 9-1-1. According to the Astoria dispatch center, the child dialed the emergency line seven times in six minutes. The mother now faces a misdemeanor charge of misusing 9-1-1 that could lead to a fine up to $6000 and a year in jail.
There are plenty of other toy phones to give your toddlers giving them something that looks and responds like a mobile phone, yet won't connect accidentally. If you do choose to give your old mobile device to your child as a toy, please make sure you pull the battery. Unwarranted calls to 9-1-1 could end up costing a lot more than you could imagine. Your old Cell Phone is not a toy, and it doesn't matter what type of phone you have. There's no way around it, and there's no app for that!
It's always exciting to get a new phone. New apps, better speed, and many new features, but what do you do with the old one? There are many options to donate them to help keep them out of landfills, but one thing is for certain... An old cell phone with a charge and battery does not make a good toy for a toddler!!
Unfortunately there are some education professionals that have suggested this is a good option as it helps introduce kids to the basics of technology. The flashing lights and beeps make them a favorite play item for many toddlers, however there is one thing that has been overlooked or just not understood. Even a deactivated mobile phone can call 9-1-1 baffling dispatchers and responders while wasting resources and trying to track down the caller to make sure nothing was wrong.
You may not be aware but in the U.S. and Canada, Wireless Mobile Carriers are required by law to provide 9-1-1 service even if they have no official phone service. This means any phone with a charge is still capable of reaching 9-1-1 in an emergency situation. Although this can mean the difference between life and death in real world emergencies, it also creates problems for dispatchers. An example of this is if you are for any reason disconnected from 9-1-1 during your call, the dispatcher is unable to call you back because the dispatcher does not have a telephone number to contact you with.
Allowing a toddler to have an old cell phone as a toy can easily become a problem if they figure out how to dial 9-1-1, especially when they hear a voice on the other end of the call. In fact it can be a criminal act to call 9-1-1 repeatedly for non-emergent reasons. A quick Internet search brought up several stories of individuals that had been charged because of the abuse.
Closer to home, recently a mother was cited in Astoria, OR for her toddler who repeatedly called 9-1-1. According to the Astoria dispatch center, the child dialed the emergency line seven times in six minutes. The mother now faces a misdemeanor charge of misusing 9-1-1 that could lead to a fine up to $6000 and a year in jail.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Looking for a great opportunity?
Reserve Police Officer test date scheduled for Apr. 20th
The Longview Police Department is seeking qualified citizens to be reserve police officers. Reserve police officers are non-paid, volunteers.
Applicants must be 21 years of age by June 2014, possess a valid driver’s license, and have a solid background.
Testing will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at the Longview Police Department located at 1351 Hudson Street in Longview. The testing process includes a written examination (testing general knowledge, comprehension, and writing skills) and a physical agility test. The physical testing will include a 300-meter run, sit-ups, push-ups and a 1.5-mile run. The highest-ranking applicants will be processed through an extensive background investigation.
Successful applicants must complete a comprehensive training program. After completing their training, Longview reserve police officers are required to donate a minimum of twelve (12) hours per month.
For more information, contact Sgt. Dixie Wells or Cpl. Kyle Sahim at 360.442-5800.
The Longview Police Department is seeking qualified citizens to be reserve police officers. Reserve police officers are non-paid, volunteers.
Applicants must be 21 years of age by June 2014, possess a valid driver’s license, and have a solid background.
Testing will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at the Longview Police Department located at 1351 Hudson Street in Longview. The testing process includes a written examination (testing general knowledge, comprehension, and writing skills) and a physical agility test. The physical testing will include a 300-meter run, sit-ups, push-ups and a 1.5-mile run. The highest-ranking applicants will be processed through an extensive background investigation.
Successful applicants must complete a comprehensive training program. After completing their training, Longview reserve police officers are required to donate a minimum of twelve (12) hours per month.
For more information, contact Sgt. Dixie Wells or Cpl. Kyle Sahim at 360.442-5800.
Weather Update
From the National Weather Service:
A cold front will bring snow to the Cascade Foothills and Coast Range Wednesday evening through Thursday morning. A strong cold front will move across the regional Wednesday morning with snow levels dramatically lowering Wednesday afternoon and evening. Snow levels will lower to 3000 feet Wednesday afternoon and then down to 2000 feet Wednesday night.
Precipitation will decrease behind the front Wednesday afternoon but another approaching trough will continue mountain showers with accumulating snow through Thursday morning.
Snow amounts will not be significant, but will likely challenge anyone planning on driving to the coast or across the Cascade Foothills. Expect 1 to 2 inches of snow above 2000 feet from Wednesday evening through Thursday morning.
A cold front will bring snow to the Cascade Foothills and Coast Range Wednesday evening through Thursday morning. A strong cold front will move across the regional Wednesday morning with snow levels dramatically lowering Wednesday afternoon and evening. Snow levels will lower to 3000 feet Wednesday afternoon and then down to 2000 feet Wednesday night.
Precipitation will decrease behind the front Wednesday afternoon but another approaching trough will continue mountain showers with accumulating snow through Thursday morning.
Snow amounts will not be significant, but will likely challenge anyone planning on driving to the coast or across the Cascade Foothills. Expect 1 to 2 inches of snow above 2000 feet from Wednesday evening through Thursday morning.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Traffic Safety News
LAW ENFORCEMENT PATROLS FOCUSING ON CHILD CAR SEAT VIOLATIONS COMING TO COWLITZ COUNTY
Cowlitz County, WA – In April and May Cowlitz County law enforcement will be out in force searching for child car seat violations. The law enforcement officers who are participating in the emphasis patrols will go through intensive child passenger safety training.
The first-ever Click it or Ticket-style surveys focused on child car seat use in Cowlitz County during January 2013 saw a number of violations including:
• Children younger than 13 in the front seat
• Other child restraint violations including kids not buckled at all or not using booster seats
• No seat belt use for driver or child passengers
• Improper use of seat belts, such as having backpacks on while buckled up or not using the shoulder strap (tucking it behind the back)
All of these violations earn motorists a substantial ticket: $124.
“Our goal with the project isn’t to write tickets, but to get kids buckled up according to Washington’s child car seat law which will reduce serious injuries and traffic deaths involving children,” said Lowell Porter, Director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
To abide by Washington law and for the best protection for their children, parents should try to adhere to the following when buckling up their child:
• Child ages: 0 – at least 12 months and at least 20 pounds – use a rear-facing infant seat. Keep your child rear-facing as long as your child car seat allows. Currently the American Association of Pediatrics recommends rear facing until age 2.
• Age 13 months to 4 years – use a child car seat with a five-point harness.
• Age 4 years to 4’9” tall – use a booster seat. Boosters should only be placed with a lap and shoulder belt.
• Up to age 13 – children must ride in the rear seat of the vehicle.
Most parents, according to the law enforcement officers, understand that infants need to ride rear-facing and not in front of an air bag. The newer models of infant seats allow a child to ride rear-facing for up to two years, which adds an important protective element.
Safe Kids Lower Columbia offers monthly car seat checks free of charge, and offer discounted rates on car seats if a new seat is deemed needed by a car seat technician.
Participating in this effort to reduce child car seat violations and improve child passenger safety are the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, Kalama, Kelso, Longview, and Woodland Police Departments and the Washington State Patrol.
Parents needing more information this project can call 509-766-9230 or visit www.800bucklup.org.
Parents wanting more information on proper car seat installation or dates and locations of car seat clinics in our area are encouraged to visit the Safe Kids Lower Columbia website www.safekidslc.org or contact Brandi Ballinger at Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue at 360-575-6280.
Cowlitz County, WA – In April and May Cowlitz County law enforcement will be out in force searching for child car seat violations. The law enforcement officers who are participating in the emphasis patrols will go through intensive child passenger safety training.
The first-ever Click it or Ticket-style surveys focused on child car seat use in Cowlitz County during January 2013 saw a number of violations including:
• Children younger than 13 in the front seat
• Other child restraint violations including kids not buckled at all or not using booster seats
• No seat belt use for driver or child passengers
• Improper use of seat belts, such as having backpacks on while buckled up or not using the shoulder strap (tucking it behind the back)
All of these violations earn motorists a substantial ticket: $124.
“Our goal with the project isn’t to write tickets, but to get kids buckled up according to Washington’s child car seat law which will reduce serious injuries and traffic deaths involving children,” said Lowell Porter, Director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
To abide by Washington law and for the best protection for their children, parents should try to adhere to the following when buckling up their child:
• Child ages: 0 – at least 12 months and at least 20 pounds – use a rear-facing infant seat. Keep your child rear-facing as long as your child car seat allows. Currently the American Association of Pediatrics recommends rear facing until age 2.
• Age 13 months to 4 years – use a child car seat with a five-point harness.
• Age 4 years to 4’9” tall – use a booster seat. Boosters should only be placed with a lap and shoulder belt.
• Up to age 13 – children must ride in the rear seat of the vehicle.
Most parents, according to the law enforcement officers, understand that infants need to ride rear-facing and not in front of an air bag. The newer models of infant seats allow a child to ride rear-facing for up to two years, which adds an important protective element.
Safe Kids Lower Columbia offers monthly car seat checks free of charge, and offer discounted rates on car seats if a new seat is deemed needed by a car seat technician.
Participating in this effort to reduce child car seat violations and improve child passenger safety are the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, Kalama, Kelso, Longview, and Woodland Police Departments and the Washington State Patrol.
Parents needing more information this project can call 509-766-9230 or visit www.800bucklup.org.
Parents wanting more information on proper car seat installation or dates and locations of car seat clinics in our area are encouraged to visit the Safe Kids Lower Columbia website www.safekidslc.org or contact Brandi Ballinger at Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue at 360-575-6280.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
“Be Smart, Don’t Rely on Luck”
From the Cowlitz County Traffic Safety Task Force:
Cowlitz County, WA - As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, remember finding a designated driver isn’t luck, it’s smart. Make sure you and your friends get home safely.
The Cowlitz County Traffic Safety Task Force is reminding drivers not to get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking alcohol. Extra patrols will be going on during the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, between March 14 and 17, where local law enforcement agencies will be actively looking for impaired drivers. Participating in these St. Patrick’s Day patrols are the Castle Rock, Kalama, Kelso, Longview and Woodland Police Departments, the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol.
“Whether you are gathering with friends at the local bar, or a private party, if alcohol is part of the festivities, following a simple plan will save you a lot of headaches,” said Samantha Thompson, Cowlitz County Target Zero manager. A DUI arrest is not the worst that can happen, you can be charged with vehicular homicide or vehicular assault if someone is killed or injured while you were driving impaired. Last July, the penalty for vehicular homicide in Washington State increased from 31 months to 61 months.
Washington State has a plan to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries to Zero by the year 2030 through a variety of strategies, including education, engineering, emergency medical services, and enforcement. One person is killed every 53 minutes in a drunk-driving crash in the United States, the majority of these crashes involve drivers who have a blood alcohol concentration of .15 or higher. Twice the per se limit of .08.
To prevent these tragedies from occurring, the “Target Zero” task force recommends the following steps to have a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day:
• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member.
• If you see an impaired driver, call 911.
• And remember, if you know people who are about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get where they’re going safely.
For more information, visit the Washington Traffic Safety Commission website, www.wtsc.wa.gov.
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