The document is an all-hazards plan, intended for use in any emergency beyond the control or capability of ordinary departmental response. One key objective of the CEMP is to ensure the most effective use of all City resources during emergency operations

Publications there are many informative emergency preparedness websites, pdf files, and publications available to help you prepare your household for an emergency and/or disaster. If you could take all the information available and boil it down it would tell you this: get informed, make a plan and gather supplies. These publications and websites are excellent resources that will get you started and carry you through your preparation:

Disaster Preparedness Handbook (published by the Washington Military Department Emergency Management Division and Washington State Department of Health (rev. January 2005). Very clear and easy to use guide to emergency planning and response. Designed for Washington covering various emergencies: terrorism, biological agents, home dangers and weather and nature disasters (such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions). Call (800) 525-0127 to order a copy or view the PDF file online at www.emd.wa.gov.

Are You Ready? An In-Dept Guide to Citizens Preparedness (published by FEMA, August 2004). This is a large guide, divided by various types of disasters. You can view the guide on-line in PDF format at the www.ready.gov or order a FREE copy by calling 1 (800)BE-READY.

http://www.ready.gov -- government emergency preparedness main page, links to Department of Homeland Security and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)

http://www.prepare.org -- established with the American Red Cross

http://www.redcross.org -- the American Red Cross. Lots of information, links to resources, see their tip of the day.

http://www.emd.wa.gov -- Washington Military Department of Emergency Management Division

http://www.doh.wa.gov -- Washington State Department of Health (links to their emergency preparedness site and publications)

http://www.islandcounty.net - the Island County Website. Look for the the Island County Department of Emergency Services (DES)

http://www.72hours.org -- this site is the San Francisco, CA Office of Emergency Services site. It is very clear and user-friendly and has just been named Best Government Website of 2006 by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Its definitely worth checking out.

http://www.doh.wa.gov/panflu -- a link to the Washington State Department of Health brochure Preparing for Pandemic Influenza: A personal and family guide. Learn all about pandemic influenza, what it is and how you can prepare for it.

We have many brochures and printed publications available at Station 81 in Oak Harbor.

Do you have and practice a HOME EVACUATION PLAN?

Do you maintain  DISASTER SUPPLIES?

Do you have a NOAA radio? Will you now how to use it?

Are you prepared for an EARTHQUAKE?

Is your mobile phone on  ICE?

Are you using preventative measures to make your home Child Safe?

NWR Radio Broadcast The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a federal agency focused on the condition of the oceans and the atmosphere. It works together with the National Weather Service (NWS) to provide NOAA Weather Radio (NWR). NWR is an all-hazards public warning system, broadcasting forecasts, warnings and emergency information 24 hours a day directly to the public. A battery powered radio capable of receiving these broadcasts is a major step toward being prepared for most hazards.  A radio that can accept the S.A.M.E coding can provide the same warning while being used to receive other radio broadcasts.  For information on the S.A.M.E. coding and how S.A.M.E. works, please see http://nws.noaa.gov/nwrsame.

In the area of Island County, the NOAA weather radio broadcasts are best received on 162.425 MHZ , WWG-24. 

The S.A.M.E. code for Island County is: 053029.

All Hazards messages include:

• Natural hazards (earthquakes, tsunami, volcano eruption, etc.)
• Technological accidents (hazardous materials spills, chemical release, nuclear power failure, maritime accidents, etc.)
• AMBER alerts -- America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response
• Terrorist Attacks
• and any issue where (1) pubic safety is involved, (2) the message comes from an official government source and (3) is time critical.

  FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has produced a booklet titled, "Are Your Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness" that covers all areas in preparing for an emergency. A PDF of this workbook style booklet is available at: http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/index.shtm

The Department of Homeland Security has developed a website to help all Americans become prepared to face an emergency situation; visit www.ready.gov to learn what you can do to become more prepared.

For information on preparing for all types of disasters, visit The Disaster Center, a website produced by The National Disaster Education Coalition:

[American Red Cross, FEMA, IAEM, IBHS, NFPA, NWS, USDA/CSREES, and USGS.]

Escape and Evacuation Plan

Home Escape Plan

• Plan two escape routes from every room in your house.
• Decide on one meeting place outside the house (for use during a household emergency, such as a fire)
• Decide on another meeting place outside of your neighborhood; such as the library, community center, or church.
• Practice the plan until everyone understands it.
• Close all doors behind you as you leave.
• Do not re-enter the house for any reason, until the emergency has passed.
• Phone the 9-1-1 as soon as possible from a nearby phone.

• Close the door and block the gaps with blankets or towels to stop the smoke getting in.
• Go to the window, open it and attract attention (at ground floor level you can leave by the window).
• If smoke gets heavy in the room lean out of the window to get fresh air.
• At first floor level, as a last resort you can hang from the window sill and drop to the ground (bend your knees to reduce injury).
• Always lower children to the ground first, never expect them to follow you

• If there is time, secure your home: close and lock windows and doors, and unplug appliances before you leave. Authorities will instruct you if it is necessary to turn off utilities.
• Wear sturdy shoes and comfortable, protective clothing such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
• Take your Go Bag with you.
• Do NOT use an elevator during a fire or other emergency unless directed to do so by emergency personnel. If power goes out or is shut off, you may become trapped.
• Remember, evacuation routes change based on the emergency so stay tuned to the local news.
• Go to the nearest safe place or shelter as soon as instructed.
  

Child-Safe Home

Learn about twelve devices that you can use in your home to help protect children that live in or visit your home.

Earthquake

Washington is Earthquake country. When the ground starts to shake, "STOP, COVER & HOLD".

Before :

• Together with  members of your household, put together a disaster plan.
• Assemble disaster supplies and store them in an easy-to-get to location.
• Identify safe spots and danger zones in each room.
• Consider buying earthquake insurance.
• Know how to shut off all utilities.
• Ensure your house is firmly anchored to its foundation.
• Anchor overhead lighting fixtures.
• Store breakable items on low shelves or in cabinets that can fasten shut.
• Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
• Fasten shelves to walls. Brace high and top-heavy objects.
• Repair defective electrical wiring, leaky gas and inflexible utility connections.
• Securely fasten water heaters and gas appliances.
• Anchor wood burning stoves to the floor. Secure stove pipe to the flue exit and securely fasten stove pipe segments together.

During :

• If indoors -- take cover under sturdy furniture or against an inside wall, and hold on, "Drop, Cover and Hold". Stay away from the kitchen!
• If outdoors -- stay there. Move away from buildings, street lights and utility wires.
• If outdoors near tall buildings -- step inside a doorway, drop down and cover your head and shoulders to protect yourself from falling glass and other debris.
• In a high-rise building -- take cover under sturdy furniture away from windows and outside walls. Stay in the building on the same floor. An evacuation may not be necessary. Wait for instructions from safety personnel. Do not use elevators.
• In a vehicle -- stop as quickly as safety permits, and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses or utility wires.

After :

• Check yourself and others for injuries.
• Prepare for after shocks.
• Wear study shoes to prevent injury.
• Use flashlights or battery powered lanterns if the power is out.
• If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound - open a window, leave the building and shut off the main gas valve outside.
• If water pipes are damaged -- shut off the water supply at the main valve.
• Check your home for structural damage to include the chimney.
• Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, and flammable liquids.
• Visually inspect utility lines and appliances for damage.
• Do not flush toilets until you know that sewage lines are intact.
• Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.
• Use the phone only to report a life threatening emergency.
• Listen to the radio for the latest emergency information.

Stay off the streets and avoid damaged areas, unless you have been asked to help by proper authority.

Washington State Emergency Management , A Division of Washington Military Department

Oak Harbor Fire Department, 855 E. Whidbey Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277 -- (360) 279-4700

All rights reserved. This page was updated on September 05, 2007. Photo this page by J. Boyer, practice burn 2003