Insights

NZ earthquake illustrates risks for U.S. west coast

• John Cornelison
• 2/24/11

• Tags

  New zealand , Earthquakes

The recent 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, killed many more people and caused far more damage than the September 2010 7.1 magnitude earthquake which struck the same area; the reason: even though this earthquake was weaker than last year's event, it was much shallower; was situated directly under Christchurch; hit during the lunch hour when more people were exposed to damage; and shook sediments that were prone to "liquefaction," which can magnify the damage done by the ground shaking; scientists say the same description nicely fits many major cities and towns in Washington, Oregon, California, and British Columbia.

Planning Ahead-- Evergreen Quake Exercise Dates & Participation Confirmed for 2012!

• John Cornelison
• 2/16/11

• Tags

  Earthquakes , Vifr , Exercise , Vashon be prepared , Eoc

Yes, 2012! More is to come, and you can consult Chief Lipe or Exercise Czar Rick Wallace for all the details, but for now please just add the following dates to next year’s calendar:

FFY11 - 12 UASI Suggested Project Development and Grant Activity

• John Cornelison
• 2/11/11

• Tags

  Funding

Although this is dated (from July 26, 2010), it is unlikely these dates will change as they have generally been used for some years. It also helps us realize how to take part most effectively in planning (and funding!) efforts for the county. It comes from Jennifer Schaal, UASI Program Manager, Washington State Emergency Management Division.

Pacific NW Explores virtual USA for Situational Awareness and Continuity of Operations

• John Cornelison
• 2/10/11

• Tags

  Gis , Situation awareness , Standards , Software

The Pacific Northwest is exploring solutions that can provide officials an overview of a regional event.

CERT Class Wraps up VIFR Commissioner Stratton

• John Cornelison
• 2/9/11

• Tags

  Vifr , Exercise , Cert

At the 2/8 refresher, Rick & Deb Brown of VIFR kindly came with their daughter and helped local Vashon CERT members practice first aid and bandaging techniques on each other – including participant Rex Stratton. Here are a few photos (click on them to open larger pictures):

Chile Recovers From 2010 M8.8 Earthquake

• John Cornelison
• 2/9/11

• Tags

  Chile , Earthquakes , Study

Bellevue’s MRP Engineering has a new engineering bulletin entitled Chile Recovers From 2010 M8.8 Earthquake that looks at progress made since their M8.8 earthquake February 27th, 2010. It concludes with these implications:

WMIRC Assembles J-Poles

• John Cornelison
• 2/7/11

VIFR.org Enters a New Age!

• John Cornelison
• 1/31/11

Congrats to VIFR and especially Chris Coley and Chief Lipe and others who put a lot of work replacing the functionality of www.VIFR.org with a new portal based website from Firehouse Solutions. Check VIFR’s new web site which has a history, photos of all the island’s equipment, lots of background on the fire district, and more information for volunteers and the public. There is a private side to the web site also that security offers much additional functionality to staff and volunteers.

Social Media 4 Emergency Management

• John Cornelison
• 1/31/11

A new web site started yesterday and is already making many waves by attempting to be the ultimate portal for discussing Social Media’s impact for Emergency Management. Looks like an interesting source of best practices and ideas as we start crafting our own Vashon specific Social Media strategy/plan…

10th Annual WeatherFest

• John Cornelison
• 1/15/11

• Tags

  Meetings , Weather

23-27 January

Washington State Convention Center

12:00–4:00 p.m

Free of Charge and Open to All!

Teachers, students, families!  Mark your calendar for the American Meteorological Society’s 10th Annual WeatherFest, a cool, super-size science fair to teach you all about the weather, climate and related fields.

California's 'Big One' could be a flood

• John Cornelison
• 1/14/11

• Tags

  California , Weather , Study

California has more risk of catastrophic storms than any other region in the country – even the Southern hurricane states, according to a new study released Thursday.

Gregoire Declares Emergency for December 8-18 Storms

• John Cornelison
• 1/13/11

• Tags

  Funding , Insurance , Wa , Weather

The declaration (noted at www.seattlepi.com/local/433304_emergency12.html) would presumably make affected homeowners and businesses eligible for low cost loans and other assistance.