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Office of Emergency Management News

February 4 , 2008

Flood-affected residents have until February 7th to apply for federal help

Residents and businesses of King County have only a few days remaining to apply for federal aid to help recover from the series of storms hitting the area in early December.  6 p.m. on Thursday, February 7, 2008 is the deadline for applying for disaster assistance.  There are two ways to register for assistance:

  • By phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or 1-800-462-7585 for speech or hearing impaired. Lines are staffed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (PST), seven days a week. Language services provided.
  • Online at www.fema.gov/assistance (external link), 24 hours a day.

See the full news release.

January 25, 2008

King County 9-1-1 chosen for national pilot program, New technology allows for text, data, and video communications

King County’s Enhanced 9-1-1 System has been selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation as one of five 9-1-1 centers nationally to participate in a pilot project of Next Generation 9-1-1 (external link).   This new system would allow 9-1-1 centers to accept emergency calls via text, data, and video.

See the full news release.

January 4, 2008

Disaster Recovery Center closes in King County, Federal aid still available to residents and businesses

Recovery efforts from December’s flooding continue in King County, but residents are urged to apply for help now. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials announced today that the Disaster Recovery Center currently located at North Seattle Community College (9600 College Way, Main Bldg. Seattle, WA 98103) will transition to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center from Monday, Jan. 7 through Thursday, January 17, 2008.

See the full news release.

December 21, 2007

King County added to federal flood relief, Residents and businesses now eligible for aid

Federal help is on the way for King County residents recovering from damage caused by the recent flooding. Today the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared King County eligible for individual assistance for the recent series of storms hitting the region.

See the full news release.

December 14, 2007

Windstorm anniversary highlights interdependencies - Past disasters show need for cooperative infrastructure planning

On the one-year anniversary of one of the most severe windstorms to ever hit the region, infrastructure officials from across the Northwest and Canada are meeting to plan for the protection and continuity of the region’s critical infrastructure. The Third Annual Regional Critical Infrastructure Interdependencies Seminar is being held today and tomorrow at Microsoft’s Redmond campus and will focus on transportation, supply chain and freight resiliency; developing regional information sharing analysis capability; pandemic and biologic event resilience and dam and levee resiliency. Tomorrow’s keynote address by representatives from local utility companies will highlight “lessons learned” from last year’s windstorm.

See the full news release.

December 12, 2007

Damage hotline closes – online reporting remains open: Recovery process hits the ground in King County

The King County Damage Hotline, (1-800-523-5044) will end operations this evening at 5:00 p.m. Residents and business owners can still report damage online at www.kingcounty.gov/prepare until further notice.

See the full news release.

October 18, 2007

King County Emergency Coordination Center activated: Residents should use caution during evening commute

The King County Emergency Coordination Center activated to a monitoring level this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in preparation for the windstorm which hit the region this afternoon and evening. King County staff will continue to monitor the situation throughout the evening and support local cities as needed.

See the full news release.

October 10, 2007

Vashon holds island wide emergency drill: Community a model for disaster preparedness

On Saturday October 13th Vashon Island will test disaster response skills and its preparation for the 'big one.' The second annual Island-wide drill will be held from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. all across Vashon Island. This drill is being jointly sponsored by VashonBePrepared and Vashon Fire and Rescue with support from the King County Office of Emergency Management.

See the full news release.

July 11, 2007

Staying healthy in the heat: Make use of cooling shelters and check in on children and vulnerable populations

As temperatures continue to rise throughout the afternoon, additional cooling centers are opening in many local jurisdictions around King County. Health officials also recommend checking on family, friends, and neighbors who may be more vulnerable to the extreme heat.

See the full news release.

July 11, 2007

Record heat opens additional cooling centers

With record high temperatures expected around the Puget Sound region today, additional cooling centers are opening in many local jurisdictions around King County to help residents stay cool and comfortable during hot summer days. In additional to the centers listed below, all King County libraries have air-conditioning and are good places to escape the heat. See www.kcls.org (external link) for more information and locations.

See the full news release.

July 10, 2007

More cooling centers open in King County

As above average temperatures continue in the Puget Sound region, additional cooling centers (See current list below) have been opened around King County to help residents stay cool and comfortable during hot summer days. A cooling center is a place where residents can go to cool off, get some water, obtain information, and be referred to other services as needed.

See the full news release.

July 10, 2007

Beat the heat: Community resources and cooling centers open around King County

With temperatures expected to be 15 to 20 degrees above normal this week in the low 90s, Public Health - Seattle & King County and the King County Office of Emergency Management are recommending residents make use of public facilities to stay cool during the heat.

See the full news release.

July 9, 2007

Tips on how to stay cool and healthy during a heat wave

With high temperatures in the forecast for this week, Public Health - Seattle & King County, the King County Office of Emergency Management, and the National Weather Service warn residents that heat can cause serious medical problems. People at highest risk include persons susceptible to heart attack and stroke, older adults, young children, people with chronic illness, and people with weight or alcohol problems.

See the full news release.

June 28 , 2007

Use 9-1-1 for emergency calls only during 4th of July - Non-emergency calls can overwhelm system

Historically during July 4th celebrations, 9-1-1 systems become overloaded with non-emergency calls related to fireworks and other celebrations. Emergency response officials across King County urge citizens NOT to call 9-1-1 unless a life-threatening emergency exits and there is a need for immediate help from police, fire, or medics.

See the full news release.

April 25, 2007

King County's Emergency Manager taking expertise to Homeland Security practice

The nationally respected Director of the King County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Eric Holdeman, will be leaving the county to pursue a new career in private consulting. Holdeman will be employed locally by ICF International a Fairfax, Virginia based company, within its Emergency Management and Homeland Security Practice.

See the full news release.

April 18 , 2007

Beware of false internet rumor on earthquake safety: Drop, cover, and hold for statewide earthquake drill

While DROP, COVER, and HOLD is the most familiar and preferred method of protection during an earthquake in this region of the world, rumors continue to resurface on the internet about the validity of an alternative method called the “Triangle of Life.” King County Executive Ron Sims urges all King County residents to participate in the annual Drop, Cover and Hold earthquake drill on Tuesday, April 24, 2007, between 9:45 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Residents across the state of Washington are encouraged to participate in the drop, cover and hold drill. Local radio and television stations will broadcast this important message via the Emergency Alert System.

See the full news release.

March 28, 2007

County Emergency Manager Nationally Recognized - Holdeman in Top 25 for government innovators

King County Office of Emergency Management director Eric Holdeman was recently named as one of the top 25 government officials nationwide for 2006 “pushing the boundaries of government-as-usual” by Government Technology magazine. Recognized for his “willingness to challenge convention, confront entrenched bureaucracy and promote innovation”, Holdeman is a leader in his field, continually pushing for regional collaboration and looking for new technologies that can improve and advance the region’s disaster preparedness and response.

See the full news release.

December 15, 2006

Emergency proclamation issued in King County: Extensive wind damage reported around county

King County District Court and Nine Public Health – Seattle & King County facilities are closed due to power outages as a result of a severe wind and rain storm that swept through the region overnight. King County’s Wastewater Treatment system also suffered significant impacts due to flooding from the storm.

Numerous roads in King County are closed and could remain impassable into Friday because of fallen trees and power lines. Up-to-date road closure information can be found at the King County Road Alert Web site at: www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/roads/roadalert.

See the full news release.

December 15, 2006

Emergency proclamation issued in King County: Extensive wind damage reported around county

King County Executive Ron Sims has issued an emergency proclamation in response to the overnight wind and flooding occurring throughout the county. The King County Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) has been activated overnight monitor the situation and help coordinate the county’s response efforts. King County’s West Point Treatment Plan sustained some significant damages to their control operations due to flooding. Additionally, early indications are that King County may was one of the hardest hit areas with power outages in the region. Puget Sound Energy is reporting 700,000 customers without power in their nine county service area.

See the full news release.

December 14, 2006

King County 9-1-1 centers experiencing high volumes: Non-emergency calls urged not to dial 9-1-1

Due to the severe weather in the region this evening, King County Emergency 9-1-1 centers are experiencing overwhelming high call volumes with non emergency calls. These non-emergency calls are blocking true emergency calls from reaching the 9-1-1 services.

Citizens with life threatening emergencies in need of an immediate police, fire, or medical response should call 9-1-1. All non-life threatening calls are urged to use an alternate phone number for the appropriate local agency.

See the full news release.

 

December 14, 2006

King and Pierce counties prepare for wind storm: safety tips for residents

The King and Pierce County offices of emergency management advise everyone to use extreme caution during this afternoon’s and tomorrow morning’s commute and offer the following steps to prepare for the storm:

  • Fill your vehicle with gas and have plenty of gas to operate generators. Please visit www.metrokc.gov/prepare for a list of generator safety tips.
  • Make sure you have enough supplies including water, food, flashlights, warm clothing, blankets, a battery-operated radio, extra batteries, medications, food/water for your pets, and any special needs items.
  • Contact family members and advise them to take precautions and have an emergency communications plan.
  • If the winds aren’t too strong by the time you get home, take a few moments to secure any items that may blow away or become damaged by the winds.
  • If the winds are severe, please take shelter in your home and don’t forget your pets! Please stay off the roads if at all possible.
  • Do not, under any circumstances, go near downed power lines. Be aware that the ground near downed power lines may also be electrified.
  • Do not, use outdoor cooking equipment (BBQs) inside the home and do not leave children and/or pets unattended with propane heaters, candles, or other open flames.
  • Only call 9-1-1 to report a life threatening emergency.

See the full news release for more information.

December 14, 2006

Projected wind storm and power outages: generator safety tips

Every year during widespread power outages there are unfortunate cases of people injured or even killed due to improper use and placement of generators. In preparation for projected wind storms, the King County Office of Emergency Management urges the following safety tips on the use of generators:

  1. The generator MUST be kept outdoors while running;
  2. DO NOT refuel the generator while it is running;
  3. If fuel is accidentally spilled in close proximity to the generator, make sure that the fuel spill is cleaned up before restarting the generator;
  4. Have an ABC Fire Extinguisher immediately available;
  5. Do not plug your generator into a household outlet. Power may back-feed and injure people working to restore power in your neighborhood;
  6. Be certain that the exhaust and/or muffler is kept away from, and is pointed away from, any combustible material;
  7. Be careful not to overload the electrical capacity of the generator when connecting to household appliances; and
  8. When using extension cords to connect the generator to household appliances, make sure that exhaust cannot enter the house at the same point extension cords come in.

See the full news release for more information.

December 8, 2006

King County and BELO partner on disaster preparedness television special

The King County Office of Emergency Management is partnering with the BELO Corporation to better prepare the citizens of the region for disasters by producing Are You Ready?, an hour long television special on disaster preparedness. Using lessons from the Nisqually earthquake of 2002 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Are You Ready? tells the story of what disasters could hit the Puget Sound region and how citizens can prepare themselves now.

Are You Ready? will air on KING5 on Saturday, December 9th from 8:00 – 9:00 p.m..  It will be rebroadcast on KONG6/16 on Sunday, December 10th from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., and on Northwest Cable News Network on Saturday, December 16th and Saturday the 23rd from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Full news release.

November 20, 2006

Flood damage estimates collected

The King County Office of Emergency Management has completed the collection of preliminary flood damage assessments for primary residences and businesses around the county. Work continues through Monday, November 20th to determine damage estimates to public assets. State and Federal inspectors toured the county on Wednesday and Thursday of this week to get a first hand look at the extensive damage to homes and businesses caused by the flood waters. Similar teams will be in region beginning Monday, November 27th to inspect public assets affected by the floods. Read more.

June 7 , 2006

Podcasting meets emergency management in King County

Icon: PodcastingEmergency and disaster preparedness jumped into the 21st century in King County recently with a new “Disasters: Are you ready?” podcast being produced by the King County Office of Emergency Management. Read more about this new cost-effective service being offered by the County in this news release (PDF).

 

May 9, 2006

King County working to strengthen U.S. emergency response system

Eric Holdeman, Director of King County’s Office of Emergency Management, will testify today at a hearing by the United States House Committee on Homeland Security in support of a proposed bill to implement changes in the wake of preparedness failures during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Details.

April 6, 2006

King County OEM offers Risk/Crisis Communication Workshop to local leaders

King County Logo How should leaders communicate with the public before and during a crisis? What if the next big earthquake hits our region tomorrow? Or a tsunami or terrorist attack impacts us without warning. How do we communicate the risk of a pandemic flu? Will our leaders be ready to share critical information and manage public concerns? In ongoing efforts to prepare local leaders, the King County Office of Emergency Management will provide the critical skills and knowledge needed to answer these important questions at the upcoming Risk/Crisis Communication Workshop. Free of charge for local organizations, the two-day workshop will train local leaders how to more effectively communicate with the public before, during, and after an emergency incident. Lead by the world-renowned risk communication lecturer, Dr. Peter Sandman (external), the workshop will provide information on different kinds of risk communications, outrage management strategies, and tools and techniques that will grow credibility and effective communication strategies during a crisis. Read more about the workshop in the recent news release (PDF).

 

June 9, 2005

Ready*Corps: Building Disaster-Resistant Communities in Washington State!

Ready*Corps Logo As part of the long tradition of AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), a national volunteer-based program of community involvement, comes Ready*Corps! Initiated in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Ready*Corps is a volunteer program dedicated to homeland security and all-hazards emergency preparedness in our Washington State communities. Comprised of over 50 volunteers of all ages and administered by the Washington Service Corps, Ready*Corps members are stationed at Homeland Security regional sites, American Red Cross chapters, school districts, and emergency management offices statewide.

Interested in hosting a Ready*Corps member at your organization or serving your community as a Ready*Corps volunteer? Go to the Washington Services Corps Web site for more information. To learn more about Ready*Corps volunteers in Washington State, check out this informational pamphlet.


March 31, 2005

King County and the City of Auburn Working Together for Lahar Preparedness!

Volcano Evacuation Route logoWhile Mt. Rainier is often touted for its majestic beauty, it still remains an active volcano with the potential for eruption. Such an eruption could result in dangerous, fast-moving mudflows of unstable debris called lahars. To keep those residents in the shadow of the volcano safe and aware of lahar dangers, King County and the City of Auburn embarked on a plan to outline volcano evacuation routes with well-marked signs, along with an educational program designed to direct residents to higher ground quickly and safely. For more on this effort, see the "Auburn to Get Lahar Education" in the South County Journal.


February 9, 2005

Preparedness Motivations

Plan/Graph ImageKing County Office of Emergency Management would like to announce the results of two benchmark surveys on local emergency and disaster preparedness attitudes. Conducted by two national survey research organizations and funded by a homeland security grant, this marks the first time King County has had the ability to assess the preparedness motivations of the Puget Sound region, making these results all the more valuable for the insight they lend to our public education programs.

These surveys were accomplished in three phases: the first utilizing three locally held focus groups, the second using a telephone survey of 500 randomly selected King County residents, and the third utilizing a second telephone survey of 500 randomly selected adults from King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

The King County Office of Emergency Management plans to utilize the survey results in working with the regional partners to help measure the effectiveness of emergency and disaster preparedness public education programs, as well as to help define the direction of future survey efforts.

View these two benchmark surveys by clicking on the titles below:


November 10, 2004

King County Receives "StormReady" Designation

Photo of Executive Ron Sims and Eric Holdeman, Director of Emergency ManagementKing County Executive Ron Sims and Eric Holdeman, Director of King County Office of Emergency Management, proudly display the official sign recognizing King County as a "StormReady" community. King County is one of only 4% of the National Weather Service-recognized StormReady areas! Out of over 22,000 potential StormReady sites in the nation, King County is in the leading percentage of recognized communities and counties. This regional effort, comprised of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties with the City of Seattle, makes the Puget Sound region better equipped to handle adverse weather and save lives and property in the event of a severe weather emergency. By joining together in collaboration, our region is not only more prepared, but each county and the City of Seattle has also been identified independently as StormReady communities. Click "here" for more information on what it means to be a StormReady community, along with helpful links and resources.



September 7, 2004

Regional Disaster Plan Receives Two Prestigious Awards

NACo 2004 Achievement Award - The National Association of Counties (NACo) recently awarded King County Office of Emergency Management the 2004 Achievement Award for their work on the Regional Disaster Plan. This plan creates a framework whereby cooperative relationships are formed between public, private and nonprofit organizations and identifies how these agencies will work together during disasters. Currently, there are 123 partner organizations, including cities, fire districts, school districts, water and sewer districts, hospitals, nonprofits, and large private businesses within geographic King County. The plan utilizes existing resources and creates an environment for more effective and efficient disaster response.

The National Association of Counties' Achievement Award Program is a non-competitive program that recognizes counties for improving the management of the services provided by county government. Since the program's inception in 1970, the Achievement Award Program has honored hundreds of county government initiatives that have improved service delivery, achieved great cost efficiency, provided finer customer service, and helped to develop a better-trained work force.

9-11 Commission Best Practices Award - On November 19, 2003 the congressionally created independent 9-11 Commission used the high profile field hearing on emergency preparedness to highlight the King County region with a Best Practices Award for their innovative public/private disaster response plan. This plan has set the gold standard for regional disaster planning by drawing in the heavy hitters of the private sector and using creative organizational thinking, according to the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. Representatives featured in the hearing video included Laurel Nelson, King County Office of Emergency Management, Wendy Freitag, Microsoft Corporation, and Mary Robinson, Puget Sound Energy.

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  Updated: April 21, 2008