Regional

Update on New Scientific Research of Earthquake Hazards to Seattle

Art Frankel and Craig Weaver of the U.S. Geological Survey gave a presentation to the Seattle City Council on Monday (as noted in this agenda) that has raised some eyebrows – and reaffirms our sensitivity to upcoming seismic disturbances. See their PowerPoint presentation or read on for a few copies of a few of their slides.

USGS Seismic Hazards Investigations in the Puget Sound

An ‘ongoing’ effort (but apparently in abeyance since 2002?!) to create an accurate seismic model for the Puget Sound region and British Columbia is the USGS’ Seismic Hazards Investigations in the Puget Sound (SHIPS) project. Since March 1998 SHIPS has conducted a series of seismic studies to better describe earthquake hazards in the Puget Lowland and British Columbia.

New Fault Lines Revealed in Washington State

Two new articles from the Homeland Security Newswire and the Yakima Herald discuss new fault lines (maybe better described as extended and remapped fault lines) that the U.S. Geological Survey’s Brian Sherrod has been studying. It is too early to not consequences for these and the discovery doesn’t inherently up the likelihood for quakes, but will make future predictions more accurate and does expand our understanding of the mechanisms at work underground – where real faults are much more complex than simple two dimensional lines on a map. Click on the map to the right to see several views of the newly unveiled faults.

Swarm of 7 Earthquakes around Rainier

KING 5 News reported today a swarm of earthquakes in recent weeks around Mount Rainier: nothing especially exciting, but an alert that it IS an active volcano!

New Tukwila Radio Club Forms–to work with the Tukwila Office of Emergency Management

A posting to the northwest DStar email list reports that a new Amateur Radio organization is being formed in Tukwila that will help to foster volunteerism, offer radio and emergency management training and build a sense of community.

King County Executive Dow Constantine Recognizes Vashon with Inaugural Community Preparedness Award

The residents of Vashon and all the volunteers and organizations under the VashonBePrepared banner were honored Friday, September 30th by King County Executive Dow Constantine and King County Councilmember Joe McDermott - the final day of National Preparedness Month. As described by the actual 2011 King County Executive Award for Community Preparedness, and by the official King County press release, the award was to the entire community and emphasized the many contributors to Vashon’s preparedness. The Carnation-Duvall Citizen Corps Council was likewise lauded with a similar award.

Science & Analysis of Japanese Quake Paints a Grim Message for the Northwest

Oregon and Washington are likely to have a very serious earthquake in future decades, according to a disturbing article in the Oregonian.

Northwest Area Contingency Plan (NWACP) Update to Guide Local Oil Spill Response

An oil spill off Vashon was one of the first incidents where a team of Vashon CERTs and Public Information volunteers deployed, back on October 14, 2004. As an island with precious habitat and adjoining shipping channels, Vashon residents need to think not only of land based but water based incidents too.

NW Citizen Corps Expo 2011-- August 20th

Registration is open during July ONLY for the upcoming NW Citizen Corps Expo, to be held from 7:30 AM to 5 PM on August 20th at the Washington State Fire Training Academy (east of North Bend on I-90).

Don Price Headed Mississippi ESF-6 Efforts

I heard that “our” very own Don Price recently served as the head of ESF-6 for FEMA’s recovery efforts in Mississippi! He and other locals who have been serving afield will present their debrief on Tuesday, June 21^st, from 1 – 3 PM. The location is the King County Office of Emergency Management Room 114 – Main Coordination Center.

King County Mass Care Regional Forum Agenda Announced

The goal of this free forum is to bring together government, non-profit, faith-based and other partners who would have a role in Mass Care (shelter, feeding, distribution of emergency supplies, etc.) for disasters in King County. The Forum is hosted by the King County Mass Care Workgroup.

Pacific Northwest Geodetic Array Quantifies Earthquakes

Scientists now can track the minuscule motions of shifting plates as they happen, thanks to an expanded network of GPS sensors that covers the region like a blanket and beams back data almost instantly.

King County Mass Care Workgroup hosts June 8 Mass Care Regional Forum

The King County Mass Care Workgroup is hosting the annual Mass Care Regional Forum on June 8 and you are invited! The goal of this free forum is to bring together government, non-profit, faith-based and other partners who would have a role in Mass Care (shelter, feeding, distribution of emergency supplies, etc.) for disasters in King County. Information will be provided and exchanged on planning efforts, emerging issues, resources, and channels for receiving and offering assistance during a disaster.

Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP)

Here’s another funding source we’ve yet to consider on Vashon, but that is likely available.

Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula Preparedness Fair

“Prepare Because You Care”

Are you ready ….. for the unthinkable?**

Sound Shake 2010

www.soundshake2010.com is the spot if find everything out about “Sound Shake 2010, a Regional Catastrophic Earthquake Exercise Series being designed and implemented by Washington State Region Six - Homeland Security to build and test response and recovery plans.”