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EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
       

Emergency Management is the continuous process by which all individuals, groups and communities manage hazards in an effort to avoid their devastation.  In the City of Black Diamond, Emergency Management is built upon the following four phases: Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. Evacuation of your home or neighborhood is possible or you and your family may be confined to your home. What would you do if basic services--water, gas, electricity or telephones--were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away. 
Washington State experiences significant impacts from natural hazards including floods, storms, wild fires, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Beyond natural hazards, there are technological hazards, including nuclear power plant incidents, chemical weapon stockpiles, dam failures, and hazardous material spills. All of these require assessment and determination by state, county, and city officials in order to organize resources so loss can be prevented or minimized.  Some plans and preparation now will help you and your loved ones get through a disaster.

King County Office of Emergency Management News:
Winter storm season is here. Are you prepared?
The impacts of winter weather conditions - wind, rain, and freezing temperatures - can leave your family isolated or in the dark for hours or days at a time. It's important to plan ahead so you are ready to take winter by storm. Take these simple steps:

  1. Make a plan. Know how you and your loved ones will communicate when communication systems are down, and where you will meet if separated.
  2. Build a kit. Include food, water, medications, toiletries, a first aid kit, flashlight and extra batteries, warm blankets and clothing, and other essential supplies for every member of your household (including pets). Keep a kit at home and in your car.
  3. Stay informed. Monitor local radio stations for important safety information and updates. Be sure to have a battery-operated radio and extra batteries on hand.

It's also a good idea to get to know your neighbors. During winter emergencies you can help each other and share needed resources. Find more tips and checklists at www.takewinterbystorm.org. Winter shelter information is provided by
King County 2-1-1.

 
 
PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION
  NOAA Radio
Mitigation
In the Mitigation Phase, the steps to eliminate or reduce disaster damages effecting the City and it's citizens are taken.  Strategies to be considered are removing or eliminating the hazard, reducing or limiting its amount or size, segregating the hazard from that which needs to be protected, reducing the likelihood of the hazard occurring, controlling its rate of release, establishing hazard warning and communication procedures, and establishing structural and non-structural protective measures.  Examples of mitigation include activities such as retrofitting buildings for earthquakes, elevating levies around flood prone homes and businesses, locating development outside of flood zones, and creating wildfire buffers around developments in vulnerable areas.

NOAA weather radio broadcasts are made on one of seven high-band FM frequencies ranging from 162.40 to 162.55 MHz. These frequencies are usually not found on the average radio, but require a specially built receiver to pick up the broadcasts.

NOAA weather radio broadcasts can usually be heard as far away as 40 miles from the antenna site, often further. The effective range depends on many factors, including height of the antenna, terrain, quality of the receiver, and atmospheric conditions.

NOAA Weather Radio listings in Washington and Surrounding Areas are located above.

NOAA weather radios can be purchased at Radio Shack and many other electronics stores nationwide. Prices will most likely vary from location to location, and will also depend on the type of radio you buy. Most receivers can be purchased for around $15 to $30. Find more informaton about NOAA.

 

NOAA Weather Radio is a service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the Department of Commerce. NOAA Weather Radio provides continuous broadcasts of the latest weather information directly from the National Weather Service offices across the country. Weather messages are taped and run in a cycle lasting on an average of four to six minutes, and are updated frequently throughout the day. The NOAA Weather Radio network broadcasts from over 400 FM transmitters across the country on seven frequencies in the VHF band, ranging from 162.40 to 162.55 MHz above the commercial FM band. Eighteen NOAA Weather Radio stations broadcast in Washington.

During severe weather, the National Weather Service can interrupt the routine weather broadcasts and air special flood, weather watch, warning, or advisory messages. Specially designated warning receivers can be activated. Such receivers either sound an alarm indicating that an emergency exists, alerting the listener to turn the receiver up to audible volume, or, when operated in mutated mode, are automatically turned on so that the warning message is heard. "Warning Alarm" receivers are especially valuable for homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, public-safety agencies, and news media offices.

Under a January 1995 White House policy statement, NOAA Weather Radio was designated the SOLE government operated radio station to provide direct warning information into private homes and businesses for both natural disasters and nuclear attack. This includes hazardous conditions that pose a threat to life and safety, both at a local and national level.

 

 

 

Preparedness
In the Preparedness Phase, emergency managers develop plans of action for when disaster strikes.  Goals of Preparedness include actions taken in advance of an emergency to develop operational capabilities and to facilitate an effective response when the event does occur.  Strategies to be considered are assessing and inventorying resources (personnel, equipment, facilities), planning, training, exercises, and developing procedures. 

This is also the phase that individuals and groups within our community should prepare to lessen the impacts of a disaster.  It is important to observe the distinction between a disaster and emergency.  An “emergency” is an event that requires response from service providers (i.e. police and fire) and that while potentially devastating to some members of the community, the event is manageable by emergency service providers.  However, a “disaster” is when an event is so traumatic that it disables the emergency response system from being able to respond to the event (e.g. Hurricane Katrina).  This is why it is so important that individuals in the community take steps to be prepared for 3-7 days without help in the event of disaster.  

 
Response
In the Response Phase, actions are taken immediately before, during or directly after an emergency occurs, to save lives, minimize damage, and to enhance the recovery activities.  Activities include notification and activation of personnel and services, continuity of government, establishing data and voice communications, dissemination of public information, evacuation or sheltering in place, insuring personnel identification and accountability, mass care, providing for mental and physical well-being of affected individuals.
 
Recovery
The goal of the Recovery Phase is to return the community's systems and activities to normal.  Tasks in this phase include restoring organization and staffing, restoring utilities, debris removal, restoration and salvage, maintaining essential records, assessing damages, public and employee information, and identifying recovery funding.  Long-term recovery includes restoring economic activity and rebuilding community facilities and housing.  This also includes rebuilding in such a way as to mitigate damages should the same disaster strike again (e.g. earthquake, flood). 
HANDOUTS AND RESOURCES

September is National Preparedness Month and the 13th anniversary of 9/11 - No one should live in fear of what “could” happen, but we shouldn’t live in denial or become complacent either. While the weather is still pleasant and kids are returning to school, take time to prepare for emergencies in your home, school, organizations, businesses, and communities. Click here to see the three easy steps you can follow for making preparedness a part of your everyday life. - Posted 09-10-14 (NEW)

Looking for a shelter during the cold weather? Dial 2-1-1 from your phone for the nearest location to you or click on the this link to view a printable PDF. - Posted 12-04-13

TEXT FIRST. TALK SECOND. - The September 11, 2001 terror attacks, Hurricane Katrina and the 2011 East Coast earthquake all share something in common – each caused massive mobile phone service disruption for millions of Americans. Mobile call volume simply overwhelmed provider capacity during these incidents. The desire to call loved ones after an emergency or disaster is natural. However, preparedness experts universally agree that during an emergency and its immediate aftermath, communicating via SMS text messaging should be your first choice. 40%of cell owners said they found themselves in an emergency situation in which having their phone with them helped This is because non-essential calls often shutdown wireless phone service and prevent 911 calls from getting through and emergency personnel being unable to communicate with each other. In fact, just a single one-minute phone call takes up the same bandwidth as 800 short SMS text messages. Also, unlike phone calls, text messages get through even when the network is congested. Even if it gets a "busy signal" on its first try the text system will continue to keep trying to deliver your message. This makes text messaging perfect for sending non-emergency messages like “R U OK” and “I M OK.” For more information, visit Safe America Foundation. - -Posted 10-10-13

Smart911.comWhen you call 9-1-1 today, the operator receives very little information about you – basically just your phone number and your general location. In a situation where seconds count, being able to provide the operator with other critical information about you and your family the instant your call is made can be the difference between life and death. Smart911 was created by leaders in the fields of privacy and information management with the firm belief that providing 9-1-1 with additional timely information about you when you call, can help speed and enhance the effectiveness of an emergency response. -Posted 10-16-12

Whooping Cough (Pertussis) General Information
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) is very contagious and can cause serious illness―especially in infants too young to be fully vaccinated. Pertussis vaccines are recommended for children, teens, and adults, including pregnant women. In Washington, there have been 1,284 cases reported statewide through May 5, 2012, compared to 128 reported cases in 2011 during the same time period. There were 965 cases reported statewide in 2011 compared to 608 reported cases in 2010. Visit the Washington State Department of Health for the most recent information.

Swine Flu (H1N1) Information
H1N1 influenza, also known as "swine flu," is a newly-identified flu virus that can spread from people who are infected to others through coughs and sneezes. When people cough or sneeze, they spread germs through the air or onto surfaces that other people may touch. H1N1 influenza is not transmitted from pigs to humans or from eating pork products. See the links below for businesses and employers to keep up on newsworthy material: Guidance for Businesses and Employers on Swine Flu and Communications Toolkit

Emergency Preparedness Website

Ready.gov- Be prepared - Personal disaster plan worksheets available on this site.

Disaster Preparation Handbook
An emergency planning and response guide.

Severe Weather Preparedness
This guide explains weather-related disasters and suggests life-saving actions you can take.


EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION    

What to do to make it through

 

Black Diamond Police
Emergency number 9-1-1
Non-emergency number (253) 631-1012


Mt. View Fire and Rescue

Emergency number 9-1-1
Non-emergency numbers (253) 735-0284 or
360-886-1229
Arson Alarm Hotline:1-800-55-ARSON (statewide)


City of Black Diamond

Emergency number 9-1-1
Emergency Utilities Pager
(253) 333-5555
Non-emergency number (360) 886-5700


American Red Cross of King County
If you are experiencing a disaster-related or military emergency, please call (206) 323-2345. These phone numbers are answered 24 hours a day

Hazardous Waste Information
King County residents living outside of the local calling area can call the toll-free number: 1-888-TOXIC-ED
(1-888-869-4233). A TTY relay service is available at 7-1-1 for both local and toll-free calls

 

Washington State Child Protective Services
Call this one number and you could save a life. A person will answer your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Call 1-866-ENDHARM
(1-866-363-4276). If the child or vulnerable adult is in an emergency situation, call 9-1-1


Battered Women - Emergency Support Shelter
Online resource for domestic violence information and women shelters location in Washington State. A statewide 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline is available for immediate help at
1-800-562-6025


King County Crisis Clinic
The most up-to-date and comprehensive database of health and human services in King County. 24-Hour Crisis Hotline available at
1-866-4-CRISIS (1-866-427-4747) or (206) 461-3222

Federal Emergency Management Agency
The FEMA Housing Portal is intended to help individuals and families, who have been displaced by a disaster, find a place to live. Call
1-800-621-FEMA
(1-800-621-3362)


Puget Sound Energy
In case of a natural gas or electrical emergency, call 9-1-1 first. Then call PSE Customer Service at 1-888-225-5773. Assistance 24 hours a day

 

2011 - City of Black Diamond. City, Police, Court and Fire information. Contact Us - Disclaimer.