Don't Take to the Trails Without These 10 Essentials

The key to keeping a hike safe and enjoyable is making sure you have the right gear.

• Trail shoes or boots
• GPS, map and compass.  A GPS enabled device is handy, but go old-school too.  Always carry a map and compass as a backup should your electronic device die or should the unit be unable to pick up a signal
• Extra water and way to purify water should you run out and need to use lake or stream water.
• Rain gear and extra clothing.  Try to avoid cotton, which keeps moisture close to your skin.
• Safety items--such as flashlight, whistle and a way to start a fire.
• Extra food
• First aid kit
• Knife or multi-purpose tool
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Daypack/Backpack

Know Your Role in Wildland Fire Preparedness

You can take steps to improve your safety and potentially reduce damage to your property by taking personal responsibility and action!

READY:  Dispose of or relocate combustible material from around your home. Trim trees and bushes to allow ample space between your home and landscape vegetation. 

SET:  Arrange your "go kit" with prescription medication, emergency supplies, important documents and other essential items.  Create your own wildland fire action plan, involve your family and practice exit plans from your home and from your neighborhood.

GO:  Get your "go kit" and leave well before the threat approaches.  Stay aware of the situation and cooperate with local authorities during evacuation and re-entry processes. 

From www.wildlandfirersg.org

Register for free boating class

The last free Adventures in Boating certification course until fall, sponsored by the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division, takes place from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 4, at the Cowlitz County Search and Rescue Building, 1800 Western Lane, Kelso. Early registration is suggested because classes fill up quickly.

 

Participants who take the one-day class will be certified to operate a vessel in Washington. Classes are open to anyone who needs to obtain a Washington State Boaters Education Card.

All vessel operators 59 years old and younger must have a Washington Boaters Education Card to operate a vessel in the state. For additional information and resources, visit www.boatered.org.

To register for the class, call Deputy Jordan Spencer at 360-577-3092 or send an email to spencerj@co.cowlitz.wa.us.

Grilling Safety

Many people will be firing up their grills this Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer. With grilling season set to be in full force, take time to review a few safety tips from the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to protect yourself and your guests from a fire or burn injuries: ·        Only use your grill outside; ·        Keep it away from siding and deck rails; ·        Keep a 3-foot safe zone around your grill to keep kids and pets safe; ·        Clean your grill after each use to remove grease, which can start a fire; ·        Place the coals from your grill in a metal can with a lid once they have cooled; ·        Open your gas grill before lighting; and ·        Keep an eye on your grill fire pit or patio torches. Before you fire up your grill, check out USFA’s animation on grilling safety.

May is Volcano Preparedness Month in Washington State

VANCOUVER, Washington — May is Volcano Preparedness Month in Washington, providing residents an opportunity to become more familiar with volcanic hazards in their communities and learn about steps they can take to reduce potential impacts. It is a time to commemorate the May 18, 1980 catastrophic eruption of Mount St. Helens, which not only caused massive destruction and loss of life but also became a catalyst for a new era of unprecedented scientific discovery, technology development and community awareness.

The Washington Military Department’s Emergency Management Division, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, the U.S. Geological Survey’s Cascades Volcano Observatory and a variety of local emergency management agencies are working together with communities at risk across the state to provide timely warnings and reduce the negative impacts of future eruptions. Together, the agencies develop and exercise emergency plans with communities, coordinate communications, conduct public education programs and plan for short- and long-term recovery in the event an eruption or lahar should occur.

 On Sunday, May 18, 1980, at 8:32 a.m., the bulging north flank of Mount St. Helens slid away in a massive landslide. Seconds later, the uncorked volcano exploded and blasted rocks laterally, destroying centuries of forest growth in a span of several minutes. Nine hours of explosive volcanic activity ensued, altering the landscape, and what we know about volcanoes, forever.

 Volcano Preparedness Month arrives this year as an earthquake swarm is underway at Mount St. Helens, indicating that the volcano remains active. USGS’s seismic data have shown since 2010 that the quiet Mount St. Helens has a new supply of magma slowly repressurizing the magma chamber beneath the mountain. As was observed at Mount St. Helens between 1987-2004, recharge can continue for many years beneath a volcano and an eruption is not imminent.

 

Preparing for future eruptions

New this year is funding for aerial lidar images, which display ground features in spectacular detail and ease the work of ground-based geologists. A Colombia-USA binational exchange is in progress between officials of the two nations responsible for volcano preparedness and interpretation. Volcano emergency coordination plans are being updated at Mount Rainier. Agencies are developing new products for public education presentations, as well as posting signs in communities.

 

The USGS CVO, the PNSN and the National Science Foundation-funded EarthScope Plate Boundary Observatory work to improve eruption forecasting and warning capabilities for Cascade volcanoes as part of the National Volcanic Early Warning System. They continue to monitor Mount St. Helens and other volcanoes in the Cascade Range for signs of unrest. The monitoring network operated by USGS and PNSN enhances the likelihood of detecting preliminary signs of increasing volcanic activity at any of the Cascade Range volcanoes.

 

The USGS CVO website has information about Volcano Preparedness Month events, as well as the USGS volcano-monitoring program and the hazards in the Washington and Oregon. Register for weekly updates and occasional Information Statements from the USGS Volcano Notification Service. 

Find information updates about volcanoes and read about science in action at USGS Volcanoes on Facebook.

 

PNSN tracks earthquake activity in the Cascadia region including those under the Cascade Volcanoes on their Volcano Seismicity web pages.

 

Washington state’s Emergency Management Division website has a section about the state’s volcanoes as well as volcano preparedness measures. There are also educational materials for children on its publication section. Follow the agency’s Twitter feed for breaking news and information.

 

DNR’s Division of Geology and Earth Resources has developed a new website and a blog that include maps, assessments and other information to inform landowners, residents, community planners and emergency personnel about the risks related to volcanoes, lahars and other natural hazards in Washington state. DNR will also be producing more detailed maps of lahar zones and geologic hazards near communities from new lidar images taken this spring under a program created by the Washington legislature.

 Eruptions at Mount St. Helens have demonstrated the importance of scientists working in close partnership with emergency and land management agencies to prepare for future eruptions. That includes installation of comprehensive monitoring networks, developing and practicing emergency plans, and supporting community education.

 Seth Moran, scientist-in-charge at the USGS CVO, notes, “We’ve seen from other volcanic eruptions that scientists and public officials must work together in response planning well before a volcanic eruption begins. We cannot wait around for indications of volcanic reawakening. Our work together needs to be done now.”

 

USGS provides science for a changing world. Visit USGS.gov, and follow us on Twitter @USGS, and our other social media channels.

Free Boat Inspections

Attention Boat Owners:
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 out to the Willow Grove Boat launch or the Kalama Marina on Saturday June 4th, between the hours of 10AM and 2PM for your free marine vessel safety inspection.

Each vessel that passes inspection will receive their 2016 Marine Safety Decal. Additional boating information will also be available.

For additional information contact Dep. Jordan Spencer at the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office at 360-577-3092

Are your documents in order?

Securing Your Financial Documents

Many Americans experience the challenge of rebuilding their lives after a disaster or other emergency. In these stressful circumstances, having access to personal financial, insurance, medical, and other records is crucial for starting the process of recovery quickly and efficiently.

Taking the time now to collect and secure these critical records will give you peace of mind. In the event of an emergency, it will also ensure that you have the documentation needed to start the recovery process without delay.

The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) can help you financially prepare if a disaster or other emergency strikes your community. The EFFAK contains four important steps to financial preparedness:

·        Assemble your important documents and contacts;

·        Review your insurance policies and financial paperwork to be sure that they are still accurate and current;

·        Store paper and electronic copies of all files in safe locations; and

·        Revisit and update your EFFAK on a regular schedule. (Updates are especially important when certain changes in your life occur, like a change in marital status, birth of a child, and opening or closing accounts.)

April is Financial Literacy Month. This month is a great opportunity to review and update your EFFAK. You can find more financial preparedness resources online.