SAN JUAN COUNTY

'Drop, Cover and Hold' statewide earthquake drill today

posted 04/06/06
From 9:45 to 10 a.m. a statewide earthquake drill will be conducted. People are encouraged to conduct a drill at home, at school, and at work. Imagine that an earthquake is occurring. DROP under a sturdy piece of furniture, COVER your head and neck with your arm. HOLD on to a leg of the furniture and move with it. Hold that position for about 30 seconds.

San Juan County Emergency Management Coordinator Brendan Cowan provided the following information: Planning for something as abstract as an earthquake is always a challenge in our day to day lives, but it doesn't need to be time consuming or difficult. Look around where you work or live:

• What might fall from above? Is there anything you can do now to prepare?
  
  
• Where would be a good place to drop and cover?
  
  
• If forced to evacuate, where do you go and how do you get there?
  
  
• Where do you meet-up with co-workers, students, or families, and how do you figure out if anyone is missing?
  
  
• If people were banged up and cut after the quake, do you have the training and supplies to take care of them (remember that 911 and EMS will be focusing on life-threatening situations- please don't call 911 after a quake unless someone's life is truly in danger)?
  
  
• Do you have access to flashlights and battery powered radios?
  
  
• Do you have food, water, and other essentials at home to get you through a week without ferries, supermarkets, electricity, and running water?
  
  
• Are there any steps you can be taking now to help get your work and home life back to normal as quickly as possible?

More information is available on the Dept. of Emergency Management Web Site

Lessons from the Power Outage

By Brendan Cowan
Director, San Juan County Department of Emergency Management

posted 12/17/05
The planned power outage that occurred Thursday night and into the day Friday presents a perfect opportunity for a bit of reflection by all islanders.

We should be asking ourselves a handful of questions: If the outage were going to continue for a few more days, or even weeks, how would you and your family fare? Would you be able to stay warm? Would you have running water? Could you keep your pipes from freezing? Would you have enough candles, flashlights, and batteries? Is there anything you could have done at your work to help minimize the impact? Would you have a radio (with batteries) so you could keep up to date on the latest news?

Ask any long-time island resident, and they'll tell you that outages used to be a regular part of life here. OPALCO has done an enormous amount of work to bury lines and upgrade equipment to minimize the risk, but the chance of a large-scale outage that affects us is still very real.

On Columbus Day in 1962 the largest non-tropical storm to hit the U.S. in historic times churned its way up the West Coast. Winds equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane were recorded across Western Washington and Oregon. Power was out for weeks in many places, including the islands. We've been lucky in recent years, but the reality is that we're past due for a major windstorm.

Whether the cause is a windstorm, earthquake, or equipment malfunction, there is always a chance that we could lose our electricity. Given the fact that being ready is easy, and not being ready could be very, very hard, it only makes sense to plan ahead.

How a community weathers a disaster depends greatly upon how ready its residents are to take care of themselves. Please help the islands to be prepared by being prepared yourself. It is everyone's responsibility.

For information on what to do, visit the "Preparedness" section at sanjuandem.net or call 378-9932 for assistance.

Local DEM creates emergency email info system

posted 12/01/05
The county Department of Emergency Management has created an emergency information email system for islanders. The new email distribution system has been built to speed up the process of getting valuable information to islanders in the hours, days, and weeks following a major disaster or emergency. The San Juan County/Friday Harbor Department of Emergency Management encourages all residents, regular visitors, businesses, and other organizations to sign up to receive these emergency emails.

Email addresses will not be shared, and messages will be sent only in a true emergency. Register by going to www.sanjuandem.net and clicking on the link for the "Islander Alert Email List."

Since there's always a chance the internet won't be working, islanders are always encouraged to have a battery powered radio and to stay in close contact with neighbors, family, and friends after a disaster.

For more information about disaster preparedness, visit the "Preparedness" section of www.sanjuandem.net. Contact Emergency Management directly with disaster related questions of any kind at 378-9932 or via the email link on the Web site.

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Chilly spell continues and it may get even colder

Community Bulletin
from San Juan Dept of Emergency Management

posted 01/06/05
For the past few days San Juan County has been blessed with sunny days and crisp clear nights-a welcome break from the gray drizzle we're used to this time of year. The cold weather is forecast to continue for the foreseeable future, and the prediction is for even colder weather to arrive early next week. Coupled with the possible arrival of some snow or freezing rain starting on Thursday, it's worth repeating some winter wisdom for the island community:

1. Use Common Sense:

• As is always the case, please keep an eye on your neighbors, friends, and family. · Check in with weather forecasts periodically.

• Keep a pencil-width stream of water running from faucets. · Keep cupboard doors open to expose pipes to indoor heat. · Keep indoor heat on, even during vacations. · Insulate pipes, particularly those on north walls.

• Be extremely wary of fire, keeping your heater well clear of all flammable materials.
  
  
• Be sure to use a heater according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  
  
• Make sure portable heaters are set on a firm, steady base.
  
  
• Use fuel-burning space heaters only with adequate ventilation.
  
  
• Electric space heaters should be properly grounded. Make certain they are plugged into a circuit that can handle the load.
  
  
• Never use a gas stove, electric range, or a charcoal grill as a heater.
  
  
• Only use fuels for which your space heater has been designed.

4. If snow should fall or the roads turn icy, keep the following in mind:

• Don't drive unless absolutely necessary.
  
  
• Please don't drive on roads that have yet to be plowed. This only makes it harder for the road crews.
  
  
• Remember, road crews can't clear private roads. Neighborhoods with private road access should have a plan in place to clear as needed.

5. And finally, some winter driving tips, courtesy of the WA State Department of Transportation:

• Clear snow and ice from all windows and lights - even the hood and roof - before driving.
  
  
• Pay attention. Don't try to out-drive the conditions. Remember the posted speed limits are for dry pavement.
  
  
• Leave plenty of room for stopping.
  
  
• Leave room for maintenance vehicles and plows - stay back at least 200 feet.
  
  
• Use brakes carefully. Brake early. Don't stomp on the brakes. It takes more time to stop in adverse conditions.
  
  
• Don't get overconfident in your 4x4 vehicle. Remember that your four-wheel drive vehicle may help you get going quicker than other vehicles but it won't help you stop any faster. Many 4x4 vehicles are heavier than passenger vehicles and actually may take longer to stop. Don't get overconfident with your 4x4 vehicle's traction. Your 4x4 can lose traction as quickly as a two-wheel drive vehicle.
  
  
• Don't pump anti-lock brakes. If your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes, do not pump brakes in attempting to stop. The right way is to "stomp and steer."
  
  
• Remember that trucks are heavier than cars. Trucks take longer to safely respond and come to a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.
  
  
• Go slow! Drive according to conditions.

County emergency info available online

posted 07/12/04
Representatives from OPALCO, CenturyTel, sheriff's office, all the fire districts and EMS will be participating in a local emergency planning meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday July 22, 2004 in San Juan Island Fire Station on Mullis Avenue in Friday Harbor. This meeting will feature a simulated activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and will give participants a chance to see what resources would be available at the EOC during a true disaster.

Citizens can learn more about emergency preparedness including tips, alerts, volunteer opportunites, and answers to frequently asked questions online at www.sanjuandem.net/.

Brendan Cowan became the county's director of the Dept. of Emergency Management after Carl Poschman retired. The DEM is part of the county Sheriff's office. It is not a response agency. "We have no authority over anybody," Cowan said. "It is all about coordination and cooperation. Our job is to make it easier for the people who do (respond to emergencies)." Cowan is in charge of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), a communications center activated in the event of a disaster. The EOC is located at the fire station on Mullis.

The federal Dept. of Homeland Security has provided emergency equipment to the county including three decontamination units. While the equipment is designed to be used in event of a terrorist attack, Cowan says it is reusable and can be used for "all sort of things." As an example, the units could be used as a warming tent in the event of a water rescue or as a place for firefighters to clean up after responding to a hazardous materials situation.

County hires emergency coordinator

posted 06/11/02
Carl Poschman of Orcas Island will lead the county's Dept. of Emergency Management. Sheriff Bill Cumming said the DEM, which is part of the sheriff's office, "handles a myriad of emergencies: wildland fires, ferry sinking, earthquakes."

Cumming cited Poschman's vast amount of experience. He worked in the Los Angeles Police Dept. for 20 years. His duties there included press briefings. He was Chief of Police in Snoqualmie before directing the Washington State Patrol training academy for five years.

His first duties are to develop a work plan and organizational structure. Poschman is meeting with all of the various emergency services. The county recently conducted an extensive threat assessment according to Cumming. San Juan County was one of eight counties in the state to do so. Almost $1 million of grant money for emergency preparedness has been obtained by the county. The funds will be distributed over the next few years.

Poschman and his wife Loretta live on Orcas Island. He plans to work part of the time out of the county offices in Eastsound.

Feds may give county $500,000
to combat terrorism

San Juan County is in line to receive more than $586,000 federal funds to deal with disasters resulting from terrorism and hazardous materials.

The money, distributed by the U.S. Justice Department through the Washington State Military Department to small counties, would pay for personal protection and detection gear, enhanced communication equipment and training for the county's fire departments, emergency aid workers and law enforcement workers.

If the county receives the grant, "we will be one of the best equipped counties in the state," said Jon Zerby, county Director of Emergency Services.

The Sheriff's Office, Town of Friday Harbor and San Juan County District No. 3 Fire departments, San Juan Aid Unit, county Department of Health and others began work on the complex grant more than a year ago, said Zerby, the county's undersheriff. Only 12 counties completed applications, so Zerby figures San Juan County's odds of receiving a full grant excellent. Recipients will be notified in a couple weeks.

"We're hopeful that we're going to get this stuff and the training to with it," Zerby said.

San Juan County's grantwriters were primarily thinking of dealing with hazardous chemicals, not Anthrax and other biological agents. Given the Anthrax attacks in Washington, D.C., New York and Florida, securing a grant "couldn't be more timely," Zerby said.

E-911 services switched to sheriff's office

posted 04/24/02
E-911 Coordinator Manfred Rose chose to retire effective June 1, 2002 rather than work under Sheriff Bill Cumming. The Board of County Commissioners voted to move the county's E-911 work to the sheriff's office. Rose had worked independently reporting only to the BOCC.

Under Enhanced 911, when calls are made to 911, addresses are displayed at the emergency dispatch center. As part of his work on the E-911 system, Rose oversaw the readdressing of county residences.

The work being done now involves implementing the wireless part of the program. "The work has nothing to to do with the sheriff. The implementation is complex and totally outside this county. There is no one in the Sheriff's office or county that can implement this program. This is not the time to go into a four to five month learning curve to have someone take over," Rose told the commissioners. He suggested he be allowed to finish the implementation before the BOCC made any changes.

Commissioner Rhea Miller said, "I regret we are in this position. It is incumbent to take a collegial approach. The best way is to move E911 under the sheriff. I regret that won't work for you."

Commissioner Darcie Nielsen said, " It is unfortunate there is this control or power issue. It is not cost effective in the long run to have this entity alone out there. We need an integrated fully functional system. In the past there has been a disconnect."

Commission Chair John Evans said, "I'm persuaded the best place is in the sheriff's department not in public works. Manfred, I'd like you to consider working with Sheriff Bill on this. The success we have had is largely because of you. You have done an outstanding job. You have a lot of connections a lot of expertise in this area. I'd like to see you continue.

Rose declined. The BOCC voted unanimously to approve the transfer of E911 to the sheriff's office. Rose's position may be incorporated into the new Emergency Coordinator position which is in the process of being filled. Administrative Services Director Dave Zeretske told the commissioners the sheriff would report back to them with his plans.

Don't rely on phone book for correct address

posted 08/28/00
The pre-Enhanced 911 addresses are defunct. The grace period for delivery to both old and new addresses ends today. If you need to find out someone's new address don't rely on the recently delivered phone books.

While the phone company was given the new addresses, they could not change a customer's listing without permission from the customer. Looking at the new Century Tel phone book, it appears that many islanders did not contact the phone company regarding their new address.

Addresses in the county were switched over to a new system in 1999 in order to comply with Enhanced 911. E-911 displays the address from which an emergency call is placed. Most San Juan Islanders ended up with new house numbers. Some also received new street names. The Town of Friday Harbor only renumbered a handful of homes and changed less than a dozen street names.

E-911 Coordinator Manfred Rose is pleased with the result of the five year project. "We're really happy with the system. It makes a lot of sense for the geography of the county," he said. The numbering system is based on distance. A 250 address means the residence is a quarter of a mile from the beginning of the road. 1000 would be one mile.

"When emergency personnel are responding they can go by the odometer," said Rose.

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