October is Disaster Preparedness & NOAA Weather Radio Month

The Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s Office Department of Emergency Management (DEM) is happy to announce that October is Disaster Preparedness & NOAA Weather Radio Month. It is my goal to make Wahkiakum County and its residents as prepared and ready as possible for a disaster through preparation and public education.

Each of the coming weeks in October I am going to provide you with information on how you can take four basic steps: Be informed, Create a Plan, Build a Kit, and Get Involved. By taking these steps now it will make you and your family more prepared during and after an everyday emergency or a large scale disaster.

This week I am going to discuss how you can “Be Informed” before, during and after a disaster. Studies have shown that the public craves information about what to do, where to find a shelter, how to and where to get help during a disaster.

Wahkiakum County has implemented five primary ways of informing our community so you will “Be Informed.” Below is a brief description of each.

• Wahkiakum County Emergency Information line: You can call 795-3911 or 1-877-795-3910 (toll free) to listen to a recorded message that includes severe weather information, current road conditions and any other important announcements from the Sheriff’s Office and DEM.

• Facebook: follow the DEM page at “Wahkiakum County Department of Emergency Management” and the “Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s Office” to see posts from county Officials and Emergency Management.

• Emergency Community Notification System: This is a system that will allow us to send out recorded messages to residents. All hard wired landline telephone numbers are automatically added to the system. It is very important for you to register your V.O.I.P. and/or cellular telephones by visiting the DEM website at: http://www.co.wahkiakum.wa.us/dem.html and then click on the “Alert Wahkiakum County” picture or by contacting me.

• NOAA Weather radio network: This network allows Wahkiakum DEM and the National Weather Service to issue urgent or emergent messages through any weather radio that is equipped with tone alert capability and that is monitoring frequency 162.400. These radios are widely available and retail for around $25. The National Weather Service conducts a test every Wednesday at noon.

• Emergency Alert System: Allows Federal, State and Local Emergency Managers to issue alerts by preempting cable TV and some radio stations.

If you have any questions or for more information on the item I have discussed in this article, contact Beau Renfro at renfrob@co.wahkiakum.wa.us, 795-7876, 465-2202 or visit my website at: http://www.co.wahkiakum.wa.us/dem.html.