Washblog has a worthy piece, regarding assessing the current risk of Swine Flu (now to be called “2009 H1N1” flu, in deference to the pork industry, whose product has been unfairly maligned by the possibility of a pandemic of a flu comprised of genetic material obtained through its contact with birds, swine and humans).

Among the highlights of the post, which you can read here, are:

• The H1N1 virus that is the basis of this new virus is inherently capable of human-to-human transmission, which is particularly problematic.

• There is no way to know if the virus we are dealing with today will mutate into new forms, nor can we predict if the virus will become relatively more dangerous if and when new populations are exposed.

• It is possible this flu strain, which is appearing quite late in the Northern Hemisphere’s flu season, will further mutate, particularly as a result of spreading during the Southern Hemisphere’s flu season, then return to our part of the world, in the Fall.

• It is possible that a useful vaccine will be available for fall – and it is also possible that this virus will have morphed into a form that will be resistant to the newly developed vaccine.

• All of this can and will change rapidly – sometimes on a day-to-day basis.

It will be a significant challenge, particularly if the incidence of flu diminishes before returning in the Fall, for all of us to adopt habits which are effective in slowing the transmission of the flu. Among these are simply hand-washing, staying home from school or work if you are feeling flu-like symptoms, and coughing into your sleeve.

The Griffin Neighborhood Association maintains a list of emergency preparedness information, and information tracking the incidents of 2009 H1N1, on its web site.

CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Training and Map Your Neighborhood training courses are upcoming, beginning in February. Folks interested in taking a more active role in emergency preparedness planning – both for their household and in their community – will find these courses very useful.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training

Saturdays, February 28th, March 14th & 28th, 2009
8:00AM – 5:00PM
Bald Hills Fire Department
16306 Bald Hill Rd. SE, Yelm, WA

Advance registration is required.

CERT is a training program that prepares you to help yourself, family, neighbors, and co-workers in the event of a disaster.

CERT training will give you the skills to help emergency responders save lives and protect property.

CERT Curriculum (completion of all modules required for certification):

• Emergency Preparedness
• Fire Safety
• Medical Operations
• Light Search & Rescue
• CERT Organization
• Terrorism and CERT
• Disaster Simulation

For more information or to register for this course, contact: Brittany Ruiz, 360-786-5207 or email ruizb@co.thurston.wa.us

Map Your Neighborhood Train-the-Trainer

Tuesday, February 3, 2009
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Thurston County Emergency Management
2703 Pacific Avenue SE, Olympia

In a disaster, your most immediate source of help is the neighbors living around you.

“Map Your Neighborhood” is a program designed to help neighborhoods prepare for disasters. It is offered through your local county or city Emergency Management Office.

PROGRAM SYNOPSIS

• Learn the 9 steps to take immediately following a disaster.
• Identify the skills and equipment inventory each neighbor has that are useful in an effective disaster response.
• Create a Neighborhood map identifying locations of natural gas and propane tanks and identifying those neighbors with specific needs.
• Work together as a team to evaluate your neighborhood after a disaster and take the necessary actions.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

• Start a neighborhood group by attending a 2‐hour MYN Train‐the‐Trainer session, which provides you with important information on how to effectively facilitate a neighborhood meeting, details the 9 Steps to Take Immediately Following a Disaster, and answers any questions or concerns you may have.
• Once trained, you may order the MYN Program materials through your local county or city Emergency Management Office. These materials include the MYN Neighborhood Handout Shingle, a Discussion Guide, CD and DVD, which contains several forms, resources and information.
• After facilitating a MYN team, fill out the MYN Postcard and send it to your county or city Emergency Management Office. This will allow them to track the number of teams and evaluate the program.

For more information visit our website at www.co.thurston.wa.us/em or contact Vivian Eason 360‐786‐5243 or email easonv@co.thurston.wa.us

Don’t Be Caught in the Dark! Prepare Yourself!

Sponsored by The Emergency Management Council of Thurston County, St. Martin’s University, Qwest Communications, Lowe’s Home Improvement Centers, and GetAFluShot.com, this fair is an annual event perfectly-timed before winter weather sets in. Local homeowners who have attended this event in the past give it high marks. Seminars, lots of free information, and vendors selling all sorts of emergency preparedness equipment will fill the St. Martin’s University Worthington Center and Marcus Pavilion.

Saturday, September 27
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
St. Martin’s University Worthington Center & Marcus Pavilion
5300 Pacific Avenue SE, Lacey

Click here for more information, including a schedule of presentations and a list of vendors, information and displays.

Thurston County Emergency Management has useful online resources, to help you to begin your emergency planning. Click here for that web page.

For more information about the Griffin Neighborhood Association’s emergency preparedness efforts, click this link to visit our web page.

What other emergency preparedness resources do you recommend to our neighbors? Post a Comment using the link below.