FEMA Releases 2021 National Preparedness Report
December 21, 2021
FEMA released the 10th annual 2021 National Preparedness Report (NPR).
FEMA and KIRO-AM Seattle Unveil New Emergency Broadcast Studio
November 19, 2021SEATTLE — Together, FEMA and Bonneville Seattle have completed an important modernization at the emergency radio broadcast facility at Bonneville International’s KIRO-AM 710 in Seattle. This modernization project improves emergency alert systems that provide critical alerts and warnings to the public.
The KIRO-AM facility serves as a Primary Entry Point (PEP) station for FEMA’s National Public Warning System (NPWS), maintained under FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), and provides critical information to the public before, during and after incidents and disasters.
Under the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act enacted in 2015, Congress required FEMA to upgrade PEP stations across the country to ensure continuity of terrestrial broadcast services under all hazards. PEP stations are specially designated NPWS broadcast stations that serve as the primary intake source of initial broadcasts for a national alert. FEMA equips these stations, which are operated by local station personnel, with backup communications equipment and power generators that enable them to continue broadcasting information to the public during and after an emergency, including conveying official alerts to communities regionally and nationwide. These free-standing emergency studios, located at the radio transmitter sites, are specially designed and hardened to withstand various natural disasters and acts of terrorism. This helps ensure that the President can alert and warn the public under all conditions. Currently, there are 77 PEP stations that are capable of reaching 90 percent of the U.S. population.
KIRO-AM is the 14th PEP station to complete the all-hazards upgrade. The modernization to the emergency studio includes increased sheltering capabilities, expanded broadcast capacity, and sustainable power generation for all types of hazardous events, increasing KIRO-AM’s resiliency to continue broadcasting during emergencies.
“It’s an honor for Bonneville Seattle to serve the community and we are proud to partner with FEMA. We share and salute the agency’s commitment to protecting the public,” said Darrell Brown, President, Bonneville International. “Radio is a lifeline, and the new studio and continued investment will ensure KIRO-AM 710’s resiliency during times of crisis when communication is vital.”
"For generations, the KIRO-AM signal has been designated by the federal government as the one to broadcast critical information in case of a major disaster," said Cathy Cangiano, Senior VP/Market Manager, Bonneville Seattle. "It's a responsibility we take seriously. We are committed to getting out lifesaving information when our region needs us."
If required, and in a national worst-case scenario, KIRO-AM would broadcast a message from the President or other national authorities within 10 minutes. Via FEMA’s Emergency Alert System, other radio stations in the Seattle area would begin re-broadcasting the information coming from KIRO and its news staff. Local authorities, such as the King County Office of Emergency Management, may also disseminate life-saving information by way of the new facilities installed at the KIRO tower site.
FEMA, KIRO and King County are partners in distributing life-saving emergency information to the public.
FEMA and Bonneville Seattle will hold an event on Friday, November 19, 2021, (11 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT) to unveil the upgraded KIRO-AM transmitter and PEP Site (22805 Dockton Road SW, Vashon, WA 98070.) The news conference will include FEMA and local officials, as well as a live demonstration from KIRO-AM 710 on-air hosts.
Speakers include:
- Antwane Johnson, Director, Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, FEMA
- Manny Centeno, IPAWS Program Manager, FEMA
- Brendan McCluskey, Director, King County Office of Emergency Management
- Jason Shirron, Technical Operations Coordinator, King County OEM
- Vince Maykovich, Acting Regional Administrator, FEMA Region 10
- Cathy Cangiano, VP/Market Manager, Bonneville Seattle
- Jason Ornellas, Regional Director of Engineering, Bonneville International West Region
- Dave Ross, On-Air Host, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM
For more information about IPAWS or the PEP modernization effort, go to FEMA’s website at https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning- system/broadcasters-wireless. To learn more about Bonneville Seattle and KIRO-AM 710 Seattle, visit https://bonneville.com/our-markets/seattle/.
Read MoreKCSO launches new phone app
September 4, 2021from: https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/king-county-sheriffs-office-launches-new-phone-app KING COUNTY, Wash. — Community members in King County will now be able to submit tips, access inmate information, research sex offenders in their area and more with just a click away on their smartphones. On Thursday, King County Sheriff Mitzi G. Johanknecht announced a new smartphone app for the King County Sheriff’s Office. The app will help connect the community with the sheriff’s office and send out information to anyone with a smartphone. “Open and accurate communication are the fundamentals of transparency, which in turn builds trust with the communities we serve,” said Johanknecht. “Our new mobile app gives us a better way to alert, inform and prepare the public. We even have weather alerts.” The app provides access to information of public interest:
The free app is available for both Android and Apple users. Users who want to download the app can find it in the App Store and Google Play by searching “King Sheriff WA” or clicking here. Read Moretaxonomy-card: Week 1-- Make A PlanSeptember 1, 2021
taxonomy-card: FEMA Kicks Off National Preparedness Month, Urging Americans to ‘Prepare to Protect’August 31, 2021Each September, FEMA’s Ready Campaign uses this time to encourage people to take steps to prepare for disasters and emergencies that could happen anywhere and at any time. This year’s theme is “Prepare to Protect.”Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love. Act now to prepare yourself and your family before disaster strikes. Throughout the month, weekly themes will be used to highlight basic preparedness activities that everyone can do, including:
Follow FEMA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and share posts about preparedness. In addition, the Ready Campaign has developed a toolkit for creating content for social media posts. Later this month, the Ready Campaign and the Ad Council will launch a series of PSAs aimed at family and personal preparedness efforts. This year, the campaign will specifically feature the Latino/Hispanic demographic to ensure campaign messages are culturally competent and meeting the needs of historically underserved populations. Remember to use #PreparetoProtect and #BeReady hashtags with a mention to the Ready Campaign. For more information, visit Ready.gov/September.
taxonomy-card: Amid high temperatures and dry conditions, King County Fire Marshal issues Stage 2 burn ban prohibiting outdoor recreational firesAugust 13, 2021King County Fire Marshal Chris Ricketts has issued a Stage 2 burn ban for unincorporated King County, which prohibits all outdoor recreational fires. Outdoor cooking and heating appliances are restricted to approved manufactured gas and charcoal units only.The Stage 2 burn ban goes into effect immediately for King County, which was already in a Stage 1 burn ban. King County’s ban is in coordination with the King County Fire Chiefs Association and Fire Marshals, which extends the ban into cities. During a Stage 2 burn ban, any outdoor fire such as a backyard fire pit or campfire using chopped firewood or charcoal is prohibited. Under the ban, any person with a recreational fire who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or discontinue when ordered or notified to do so can be charged with, up to and including, a misdemeanor. Manufactured portable outdoor devices are allowed, including barbeques and patio warmers that are used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Approved fuel devices - including those that rely on charcoal, natural gas or propane gas – are also allowed. Ricketts asks residents to please use caution when disposing of charcoal remains. Extended periods of abnormally high temperatures have increased the fuel load in the vegetation in our community. The large fire in Oregon and other fires in Washington have stretched wildfire fighting resources throughout the region. Ricketts says if residents must smoke, they should exercise extreme caution with their ashes or when they’re extinguishing cigarettes. The county asks residents to be diligent and respectful of their neighbors, and to remember this is a demanding time for first responders. LINKS Read Moretaxonomy-card: Vashon expected to get smoky–as well as hot for next few daysAugust 12, 2021According to Cliff Mass, we’ve smoke in our future, at least thru Saturday. Read Moretaxonomy-card: Vashon COVID Update Delta Wave of COVID Has Taken Hold on Vashon Vaccination Has Been WorkingAugust 10, 2021
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This week focuses on making an emergency plan. You are encouraged to do the following this week:
Even in temperate western Washington it can take only a few sunny days for forests to dry out enough to catch fire. And, in windy conditions wildfires can get out of control quickly. Wildfires burn every year in east King County. Before wildfire strikes, homeowners can help protect lives and property by creating a fire-adapted space around structures.
In response to the impacts of COVID-19, Drive-In Wi-Fi Hotspots provide free temporary, emergency internet access for Washingtonians who do not have broadband service to their homes.
A new web application from ESRI provides a nice visual overlay to the latest ocean flooding scenarios – including
Seattle and by inference, Vashon too.
An extended heat wave will affect Vashon and the rest of the Puget Sound this weekend with high temperatures above 105 degrees predicted Sunday and Monday..png)
Click map for a larger version