Volume 3, Issue 4 July - August 2017

Central Services

4th of July

GH County Beaches

Military Showcase

A day to remember.....

What Would You Do?

Summer Camp Checklist

Summer Opportunities

Contacts & info

Grays Harbor County

Emergency Management

Preparedness on the Harbor Lake Sylvia Photo by Lisa Ballou

GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY

- CENTRAL SERVICES -

Central Services is another invaluable asset we have in the county which keeps our communication lines open throughout all county offices. They keep our computer, internet and phone services operational throughout the day to help provide our citizens and visitors with the best possible support from every Grays Harbor County department. Central Services also provides Geographic Information Systems (GIS), related technology support and services in support of county departments, as well as, many local jurisdictional inquiries. The department maintains and supports the local (LAN) and wide-area (WAN) network which connects the various County offices and agencies, providing access to budgetary, payroll, assessment, and taxation databases, Sheriff, Emergency Management, Courts and Health information as well as providing access to the Internet and electronic mail services. In addition, the staff provides systems analysis and programming development services to automate county processes and

functions.

Steve Carey, Tara Khambatta, Matt Schmidt, Dan Ehreth, Ron Malizia, TJ West, Dale

Cormier, Tim Triesch, and Gary Mawhorter

Photo by Lisa Ballou

http://cms5.revize.com/revize/graysharborcounty/departments/central_services/index.php

FIREWORKS SAFETY

While fireworks are the most iconic and festive way to celebrate our country’s independence, there can be dangers if fireworks are used improperly. Consumers should purchase fireworks from a reputable company or fireworks stand, check local and state laws for fireworks purchase and use in your county and city, and check all instructions on fireworks packaging before use.

Follow these safety tips before engaging in fireworks celebrations this Fourth of July:

1. Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks. 2. Know your fireworks; read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting. 3. A responsible adult should supervise all firework activities. Never give fireworks to children. 4. Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save your alcohol for after the show. 5. Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks. 6. Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away. 7. Do not hold a fireworks item in your hand. 8. Use fireworks outdoors in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles. 9. Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water before you discard it. 10. After purchasing fireworks, always store them in a cool, dry place. 11. When using fireworks always have a connected hose, bucket of water, or other water source nearby. 12. Never carry fireworks in your pocket or shoot them into metal or glass containers. 13. Do not experiment with homemade fireworks. 14. Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and place in a metal trashcan away from any building or combustible materials until the next day. 15. Ensure all pets and animals are away from fireworks noise. 16. With the rise in stress-related disorders affecting American service men and women, pay special consideration to individuals who may be sensitive to loud noises in proximity to your fireworks show.

We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable 4th of July this year!

Mark Sigler Fire Marshal Grays Harbor County msigler@co.grays-harbor.wa.us

Happy 4th of July

10 Worst Days For Driving

There are a number of reasons this holiday is so deadly, says Russ Rader with IIHS, “There’s a lot of travel that day, and

more cars on the road leads to more crashes. In addition, people are going to events that often include alcohol.”

In fact, according to IIHS data, July 4th is the second deadliest day of the year for drunken drivers with 42 percent of accidents involving at least one driver testing over the limit.

“The best advice is common sense. Never go without your safety belt fastened, obey the speed limit, and don’t drink and drive. If everyone did those things, we’d have a lot fewer deaths on the July 4th holiday,” advises Rader. https://www.yahoo.com/news/10-worst-days-for-driving-118807974462.html

Fourth of July Pet Safety Tips

For many people, nothing beats lounging in the backyard on the Fourth of July with good friends and family—including furry friends. While it may seem like a great idea to reward your pet with scraps from the grill and bring him along to watch fireworks, in reality some festive foods and activities can be potentially hazardous to him. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center offers the

following tips:

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/fourth-july-safety-tips

According to IIHS data, the Fourth of July ranked as the

deadliest day to be out on the road from 2000-2013.

Grays Harbor County Department of Public Services

Office of the County Fire Marshal 100 West Broadway Ave, Ste 31 Phone: (360) 249-4222 Montesano, WA 98563 Fax: (360) 249-3203

If you have any questions regarding how to properly use fireworks we encourage you to consult the distributor where purchased or the Grays Harbor County Fire Marshals’ office @ (360) 249-4222.

http://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/departments/public_services/fire_marshal/index.php

Fireworks Restrictions

County/City Ban or Restricted Discharge Period RCW 70.77.395 states Fireworks may be used and

discharged on the following dates and times unless the local jurisdiction has a restriction.

Jurisdictions with NO restrictions may use & discharge fireworks from:

Fireworks Restrictions in the following cities:

June 28th noon to 11pm

June 29th—July 3rd 9am to 11pm

July 4th 9am to midnight

July 5th 9am to 11pm

Aberdeen July 4th 9am to midnight

Cosmopolis July 4th 9am to midnight

Hoquiam July 3rd & 4th 9am to midnight

Ocean Shores

July 2nd & 3rd July 4th

noon to 11pm noon to midnight

Westport July 4th 9am to 11pm

Grays Harbor County Beaches

Grays Harbor County is a showcase of beautiful beaches for all

citizens as well as millions of visitors each year. As beautiful as the Pacific Ocean appears from the beach, the surf can be extremely dangerous to unsuspecting people wading along the shoreline.

Grays Harbor County Emergency Management has contacted various lifeguard associations and was informed that due to the cold water temperatures, extreme surf and rip current possibilities specific to our shoreline, people should:

1. NEVER go into the surf alone.

2. Wading in the surf should be restricted to no higher than a person’s knees.

3. If you get caught in the grip of a rip current: A. Yell for help immediately. B. Don’t swim against a rip current—it will just tire you out. C. Escape the rip current by swimming parallel to the beach until you are free. D. If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. E. When out of the current, swim toward the shore at an angle away from the current

The Pacific Ocean along the Grays Harbor County shoreline sustains an average temperature between 45-55 degrees depending on the season and month. According to the United States Search & Rescue Task Force, the expected time a person swept out to sea would become exhausted or drift into unconsciousness is 30 to 90 minutes. The expected time of survival is between 1-4 hours.

Summer means vacation, outdoor activities, and fun in the sun! It’s a time when families hit the road to visit national parks or distant relatives. The warm months and long days mean that there is plenty of time for baseball games and barbecues. The sultry temperatures practically invite you to take a dip in the pool or ocean.

But don’t let the sunny days and warm nights fool you. Summer also holds significant weather and water hazards. Heat waves can be lengthy and deadly. Lightning deaths are at their peak during the summer. Beach hazards such as rip currents can catch the unprepared. And, it’s the start of hurricane season.

This summer, the National Weather Service (NWS) wants you to be prepared for weather and water hazards:

Surviving Deadly

Rip Currents

ABC News

Can you spot the rip?

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/

FIREWORKS ANDFIREWORKS ANDFIREWORKS AND

RECREATIONAL BURNINRECREATIONAL BURNINRECREATIONAL BURNING G G

___RESTRICTIONS______RESTRICTIONS______RESTRICTIONS___

If discharging fireworks along the beaches,

remember to be 100+ feet away from the dunes, move closer to the water and always point towards the ocean to prevent sparks from landing in the dry dune areas.

Absolutely no beach fires

within 100’ of the dunes, beach grass and vegetation or in large pieces of

driftwood. Please completely extinguish your campfire.

Fires are to be no bigger than 3ft. High and 3 ft.

in diameter.

Be aware of the wind and where your sparks

are, they will fly! The BEACH GRASS is extremely dry. It will catch

fire and spread quickly and easily. YOUR fire could damage nearby dunes and structures.

Be aware of your surroundings.

Japanese Lanterns (paper, floating or Chinese

Lanterns) are prohibited in Grays Harbor County! Japanese Lanterns are essentially unmanned hot air balloons and a person cannot constantly attend the flame inside the lantern as it rises in the sky and floats away, they would be in violation of outdoor burning rules as stated in WAC 173-425-060 (5)(c)(vi).

Courtesy of City of Ocean Shores, GHFD #8, GH Emergency Management

DID YOU KNOW??

The beach is a state highway and all licensing, registration and rules of the

road apply the same as they do on city streets: Maximum speed limit is 25mph, but possibly slower if beaches are crowded.

Do not drink and drive. Violation of fireworks, motor vehicle, or other laws can lead to citations ranging from $150 to over $1,000. Courtesy of City of Ocean Shores

Here are a few quake stories about it from, first, Marshall Baldwin, who was watching TV in his Satsop home: “It was bang, bang, bang and just before it ended the ground swayed. I could see my car out in the driveway bouncing around. It was pretty exciting really.”

Beth Watkins, a waitress at The Oriole restaurant in Hoquiam: “We had a couple tables, and we were doing some work in the back room. Then the floor just started rolling, and we ran for the door.”

Heather Churchill, a waitress at the Tokeland Hotel: “Everything else in the hotel was shaking, and then the cook yelled that we needed to go outside. It

felt like you were in the ocean, rocking. I looked down and my feet were shaking from the quake. It was scary.”

Stacy Charette in Satsop said: “As the rumbling started getting louder, I thought train, and then I looked around and right then it hit me, ‘Earthquake.’

“We felt it real good. Things tipped over. I could see the walls moving, and I could hear the house creaking. I just wanted to grab my kids and get in the doorway. There was a lot of creaking. A few things fell off shelves.”

Read Full Post>>

Total Solar Eclipse On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun's tenuous atmosphere - the corona - can be seen, will stretch from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. Observers outside this path will still see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun's disk.

A day to remember....A day to remember....A day to remember.... Sunday July 2nd is the 18th anniversary of the Satsop earthquake

A 5.1 earthquake in Grays Harbor County on the evening of July 2, 1999, forced the county to spend $7.2 million repairing and retrofitting its courthouse.

wordpress.com

Eclipse: Who? What? Where? When? and How?

Click HERE for all the details

Image Credit: Rick Fienberg

Military Showcase Coming

to the Westport Marina!

Tuesday, August 1st

Grays Harbor County Emergency Management is pleased to announce a military exercise and public

showcase demonstration at the Westport Marina, on Tuesday, August 1st, from 7:00am to 1:00pm testing

how the Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and WA National Guard could deliver supplies and capabilities in the

event of a catastrophic Cascadia Earthquake and Tsunami Event. This event is open to the public. The

USS Utah will patrol off our Western Coast and launch a landing craft, holding various military vehicles. The

landing craft will arrive at the boat launch next to the Coast Guard Station at 1600 N. Nyhus St. and offload

military vehicles for public display. The US Coast Guard Station, Westport will be holding an open house

during the day also. Numerous helicopters will be landing and flying around the area to rendezvous with the

USS Utah offshore. There will be a static display of the helicopters during the event also. Thank you to the

City of Westport, the US Coast Guard Station at Westport and to the Port of Grays Harbor for their support

in conducting this event for all citizens of Washington State.

August 1st

Check with your local fire

or police department for event location

and time.

Click HERE for preparedness information

Courtesy of New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management https://www.happens.nz/

__Stuck at Home__ In most emergencies it’s best to stay in your own home if it is safe to do so. But that may mean being without power and

water or any way to get supplies for three days or more.

Do you have enough food? What about family members who need medication? Do you have enough food for pets to get through too?

Light up Your emergency supplies don’t have to be in a kit, but you might have to find them in the dark. Make sure everyone knows where the torches and batteries are.

Fridge first If the power goes out, eat the food from your fridge first, then your freezer, before you eat the food in the cupboard or your emergency kit.

Know your neighbors Get to know your neighbors. In an emergency they may need your help or you may need their help, and you may be able to band together to get through.

__Can't Get Home__ In an emergency trains and buses

may not be able to operate, roads may be closed and streets or

neighborhoods might be blocked off.

If you can’t take your normal route home, how will you get there? Who will you go with? Where will you meet up if your street is a no-go zone?

Second meeting place Agree on a meeting place if you can’t get home. It might be the school, a friend’s place, or with whanau (extended family).

Travel together If you work away from home, find workmates who live in your area. In an emergency you could travel together.

Pack a getaway bag (Disaster Go Kit) Have a getaway bag at work or in your car, with walking shoes, warm clothes, some snack

food and a bottle of water. A torch, batteries and radio are useful too.

__Have to Evacuate__ In an emergency, some houses, streets and neighborhoods may not be safe to stay in

and you may have to leave home in a hurry.

If your street was evacuated where would you go? What would you take? What about pets? Do you have neighbors who might need your help?

Pack a getaway bag (Disaster Go Kit) Have a getaway bag ready for everyone in your family with warm clothes, a bottle of water, snacks, copies of important documents and photo ID. Remember any medications you might need and keep your first aid kit, torch, radio and batteries somewhere you can grab them in a hurry.

Decide where to go Decide where you will go (and make sure everyone in your family knows, in case you’re not all together). Your evacuation place will probably be with friends or family, so make sure they know your plans.

Check your zone If you live in a tsunami zone, make sure your evacuation place is outside of the zone (check with your council for zone maps).

__No Power__ What would you do if the power was out for days? How will you see, cook, keep warm?

Power cuts could affect EFTPOS and ATM machines, so make sure you have some cash at home, or enough supplies to see you through three days or more.

Light up Make sure you have torches and batteries, either in your emergency kit or somewhere everyone can find them in the dark.

Stay tuned in Have a solar or battery powered radio so you can keep up with the latest news and alerts. Know which radio stations to tune in to for information during an emergency.

Stock up Have a stock of food that doesn’t need to be cooked (canned is good) or something to cook your food on (bbq, camp stove). Don’t forget food for babies and pets.

Fridge first If the power goes out, eat the food from your fridge first, then your freezer, before you eat the food in the cupboard or your emergency kit.

__No Phone or Internet__ If the phone and internet lines were down

how would you keep in touch, arrange to meet up, keep up with

news and weather alerts?

In most emergencies it’s best to stay in your own home, so make you home your meeting place and have an alternative in case you can’t get there.

Plan a meeting point Talk to your family about how you will get in touch and where you will meet up in an emergency if the phone lines and/or internet are down.

If you have kids If you have kids, make sure you know the school/day care’s emergency plans and give the school names of three people who could pick the kids up if you can’t get there.

Stay tuned in Have a solar or battery powered radio so you can keep up with the latest news and alerts. Know which radio stations to tune in to for information during an emergency.

Out of town contact Have an out of town contact that everyone knows about (sometimes when local phone lines are down you can still reach people outside your area). Get everyone to check in with your out of town contact by text or online messaging in an emergency if you can.

Keep a list Keep a written list of important phone numbers.

__No Water__ Imagine having no water for three days or more.

How would you wash, cook, clean? What would you drink?

Bottling water Keep your empty water, juice and fizzy drink bottles, give them a good clean and fill them with water – you need three liters of water for each person for each day that you are without water. Don’t forget to store water for babies and pets too.

Long term water storage You can keep stored drinking water for up to a year if you add non-scented household bleach (half a teaspoon for every ten liters of water and don’t drink for at least half an hour after mixing).

Stay fed and washed Remember to store water for cooking and cleaning as well. You can use the water in your hot water cylinder, but store some extra in large plastic containers.

For those of us sending or thinking about sending our children to summer camp, safety remains a priority. If you’ve sent your child to camp before, you may be familiar with many items on this list, if you’re a new, we’ve got you covered. Your approach to summer camp safety should be no different than your approach to school safety. So whether you are preparing to send your child to summer camp or looking into possible programs, take a look at the summer camp safety checklist below:

Review the Camp – Think about touring the camp, speaking

with a reference, and doing a little background investigation to determine whether the camp is accredited and if it adheres to safety and health standards as mandated by the state and/or city.

Camp Staff – Consider asking about the screening process, as

well as staff experience and training. Are staff members subject to background checks and/or drug tests? What types of training are staff required to participate in and what types of certifications do they have? For example, are they familiar with first-aid and CPR? What about emergency training and behavior manage-ment? If there are swimming activities are there certified life-guards?

Emergency Plans – Perhaps one of the most pressing concerns:

do you have emergency plans in place? Ask about the types of emergency preparedness plans in place and communication procedures. What types of threats is the camp prepared for? How will parents be notified? Are there reunification plans in place?

Field Trip Safety – Ask about methods of transportation and

how field trips are managed. Will camp members split into groups? How do group supervisors/chaperones communicate with each other? What is the adult to child ratio? Is there a buddy system? What is the protocol for a lost camper?

Sun Safety – During the summer children are subject to

sunburns and heat exhaustion, how will the camp mitigate this issue? Remember that some camps don’t allow staff members to touch campers, so consider packing a spray-on sunscreen or asking beforehand.

Food Safety – What types of snacks/meals are typically served

and how does the camp accommodate campers with food allergies? Does the camp have EpiPens and are there medical staff onsite prepared to deal with food allergy emergencies?

Medical Staff – Are there licensed medical professionals on

site? What kinds of issues and procedures are they prepared to deal with? Don’t forget to inform them of any medical issues and instructions.

http://www.safeandsoundschools.org/2016/06/02/summer-camp-safety-checklist/

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As you review the checklist, remember to voice any concerns you have with your camp director. Have a safe and sound summer!

When should I wear a life jacket? 1. Always wear a life jacket when boating or rafting and when using an inner tube or personal watercraft. 2. Children and inexperienced swimmers should wear life jackets whenever in, on and around the water, even if a lifeguard is present. 3. Wear life jackets in open water, waterparks or other challenging environments and around cold water and ice. How do I choose a life jacket? 1. When choosing a life jacket— a. Make sure it is the right type for the activity. b. Make sure it is U.S. Coast Guard approved. Look for the stamp on the life jacket. c. Make sure it fits the intended user. Check the label on the life jacket for weight limits. d. Check buckles and straps for proper function. Discard any life jacket with torn fabric or loose straps. e. Put it on and practice swimming with it. 2. Water wings, swim rings, inflatable toys and other items designed for water recreation are NOT substitutes for U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets or adult supervision. What should I know? 1. Know how to stay safe in, on and around the water, and how to respond in an emergency. Enroll in Red Cross water safety, first aid and CPR courses. 2. Anyone who spends time in, on and around the water should know how to swim well. 3. Know how to safely operate the type of water-craft you will use. Enroll in a boating safety class.

Life Jackets Aren’t Just for Boats

But, they only work when

they are worn!

Young children and weak swimmers should wear life jackets whenever they are in, on or around the water, even at a pool or a waterpark. Put it on at the dock, deck or shore and don’t take it off until you are

on dry land.

http:www.redcross.orgimagesMEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4240220_LifeJackets.pdf

Lake Sylvia Photo by Lisa Ballou

Dave Haviland KBKW

News

Our Favorite Victim

Saturday, August 19th, Two professional

Moulage classes are being held at Westport Fire/

South Beach EMS.

Hosted by North Beach CERT.

There will be a $10 pre-paid registration fee for

each class. This will cover handouts, all hygienic

consumable supplies, beverages and light snacks.

For those taking both classes, lunch will be

provided. Class is limited to 20.

Class 1 Basic Moulage Check-in begins at 9:30am with coffee & pastries

Class Begins at 10:00am SHARP

Class ends at 1:30pm

Class 2 Advanced Moulage Check-in begins at 2:30pm

Class Begins at 3:00pm SHARP

Class ends approximately at 6:00pm

You can go online to register at:

www.NorthBeachCERT.org or

Stephanie Allestad, North Beach CERT

GHFD8ChocoFireLady@gmail.com

VISIT the Grays Harbor Emergency Management website at

http://cms5.revize.com/revize/graysharborcounty/departments/

emergency_management/index.php

FOLLOW Grays Harbor Emergency Management @GHCDEM on Twitter

LIKE the Grays Harbor Emergency Management Facebook page at

www.facebook.com/pages/Grays-Harbor-County-Emergency –Management

SIGN UP for the Grays Harbor Emergency Notification System to receive Emergency &

Disaster information on winter storms, earthquakes, flooding, from Grays Harbor

Emergency Management http://cms5.revize.com/revize/

graysharborcounty/departments/emergency_management/

DEMNotificationRequest.php

ATTEND the Grays Harbor Citizen Corp

meetings the second Wednesday of every month at 9am, in the Grays Harbor County

Forestry Building. 310 W Spruce St Montesano, WA 98563

Meet with other county agencies and organiza-tions working on disaster preparedness in our

county. Check out their Facebook page too. www.facebook.com/GraysHarborCitizenCorps

Grays Harbor Emergency Management

Grays Harbor Forestry Building 310 W Spruce Street,

Montesano, WA 98563 (360) 249-3911

Fax (360) 249-3805

Carmin McCullough DEM Assistant & Editor

(360) 964-1576 cmccullough@co.grays-harbor.wa.us

Chuck Wallace Deputy Director (360) 964-1575

cwallace@co.grays-harbor.wa.us

Sheriff Rick Scott Director Emergency Management

(360) 249-3711 soadmin@co.grays-harbor.wa.us

Upcoming MeetingsUpcoming MeetingsUpcoming Meetings

July 29th-

A Community Awareness Information Program

Listen for Tammy Fairley of the Ocean Shores CERT Team at 9am on: 91.3FM or at http://koswradio.com

July 27th August 24th

Citizen CorpsCitizen CorpsCitizen Corps July 12thJuly 12thJuly 12th———9:00am9:00am9:00am

August 9thAugust 9thAugust 9th———9:00am9:00am9:00am LEPCLEPCLEPC

July 12thJuly 12thJuly 12th———10:15am10:15am10:15am August 9thAugust 9thAugust 9th———10:15am10:15am10:15am

Upcoming Events

July 8th - Dehydration 101

Article & Photo Credit Front cover photos

Provided by Lisa Ballou

Fireworks Safety Page 2 Provided by

Mark Sigler, Fire Marshal

Photos page 6

Provided by Lisa Ballou

Summer Opportunities page 7

Provided by Stephanie Allestad and

Tammy Fairley

August 19th— Basic & Advanced Moulage

August 5th - North Beach

Community Fair

All Hazards Alert Broadcast (AHAB) Siren testing occurs the first Monday of every month at noon.

Contacts & info

Lake Quinault

October 19th at 10:19am The Great Washington

ShakeOut