Welcome to Skagit County

September 20th, 2007

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS AND NOAA WEATHER RADIO AWARENESS MONTH

Mount Vernon, WA: Skagit County will observe National Preparedness Month, Weather Radio Awareness Month, and 9-1-1 Day in September.

Preparedness month encourages everyone including homeowners, businesses, schools, health care providers and government agencies to review emergency response plans and 9-1-1 procedures in preparation for the upcoming flood and winter storm season. Skagit County residents are encouraged to rotate emergency supplies such as food, water, and flashlight batteries as well as consider adding items to disaster preparedness kits.

Skagit County residents are encouraged to prepare for severe weather events in advance of this coming winter. On September 26 – Storm Preparedness Day, local officials will meet with representatives of Puget Sound Energy to increase the local level of preparedness prior to the winter storm season.

September 11 (9-1-1 Day) recognizes the 9-1-1 public safety personnel for a job well done and the 9-1-1 capabilities available in Skagit County.

Emergency preparedness information is available on the Washington Emergency Management Division website at www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness.currentcampaign. Information will address emergency preparedness for homes, businesses and schools and is available in several languages. Preparedness materials include information about weather radios from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, parent agency for the National Weather Service, and guides for the proper use of the Enhanced 9-1-1 system. The September campaign also highlights use of weather radios for emergency warning information.

Throughout the past year, the Skagit County Health Department has undertaken an effort to build the capacity of our community to meet disaster health care needs through the establishment of a Medical Reserve Corps. For more information on this program, contact the Skagit County Health Department at 360-336-9380 or go to www.skagitcounty.net and click on the Medical Reserve Corps icon on the right side of the page.

The Skagit County Department of Emergency Management and the City of Mount Vernon Fire Department have partnered for many years to deliver the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program in Skagit County. The CERT program teaches citizens to take care of themselves, their families, and their neighbors immediately following disaster events.

Be prepared: make a plan, build a disaster kit, get trained … to learn more about disaster preparedness or the CERT program – please contact the Skagit County Department of Emergency Management at 360-428-3250 or the Mount Vernon Fire Department at 360-336-6277.