Colorado Daily Status Report January 30, 2015

Alerts/Warnings:
State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Status:
Day to Day - Duty Officer: 303-472-4046
Current Disasters/Large Incidents:
No incidents requiring State support.

DHSEM Names Chris Sorensen Operations Section Chief

Chris Sorensen leads a State EOC briefing call during 2013 activation.
DHSEM is excited to announce the appointment of Chris Sorensen as Operations Section Chief. Sorensen was one of four excellent candidates for this position. The selection process included a number of assessments including a State EOC scenario at the EOC Manager level.

Sorensen's employment with the Division started in February 2012; he held the positions of External Relations Program Manager and Operations Officer prior to today's promotion.

Congratulations Chris!

Colorado Daily Status Report January 29, 2015

Alerts/Warnings:
State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Status:
Day to Day - Duty Officer: 303-472-4046
Current Disasters/Large Incidents:
No incidents requiring State support

Colorado Daily Status Report January 28, 2015

Alerts/Warnings:
State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Status:
Day to Day - Duty Officer: 303-472-4046
Current Disasters/Large Incidents:
No incidents requiring State support

DHSEM Update: January 27, 2015

Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Update:  January 27

This update includes information on:
  • Deadline Approaching for Small Business Administration Loans
  • Apply for the School Emergency Management Regional Contract Opportunity
  • Resource Management Website
  • Lessons Learned: 2013 Colorado Floods
  • Register for the 2015 Colorado Emergency Management Conference
  • DHSEM Grant Information and Updates
  • Job and Volunteer Opportunities
  • Kudos and Congratulations
  • Educational Resources
  • Big Burn Documentary
  • Training Information

DHSEM Mitigation and Recovery Report: January 27, 2015

The DHSEM Mitigation and Recovery Report has been posted to the division website.

Colorado Daily Status Report January 27, 2015

Alerts/Warnings:
State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Status:
Day to Day - Duty Officer: 303-472-4046
Current Disasters/Large Incidents:
No incidents requiring State support

Colorado Daily Status Report January 26, 2015

Alerts/Warnings:
State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Status:
Day to Day - Duty Officer: 303-472-4046
Current Disasters/Large Incidents:
No incidents requiring State support

Colorado Daily Status Report January 23, 2015

Alerts/Warnings:
State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Status:
Day to Day - Duty Officer: 303-472-4046
Current Disasters/Large Incidents:
No incidents requiring State support

Colorado Daily Status Report January 22, 2015

Alerts/Warnings:
State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Status:
Day to Day - Duty Officer: 303-472-4046
Current Disasters/Large Incidents:
No incidents requiring State support

BLM planning to burn slash piles now through February 2015 in Grand County in the Mule Creek Area

News release provided by BLM public information officer.

The Bureau of Land Management Kremmling Field Office is planning to burn 75 slash piles of lodgepole pine now through February 2015 if weather conditions are favorable. Fire personnel burned 35 slash piles in December 2014.

Slash piles are burned when snow is at least three inches or more on the ground and the chance of fire spreading is unlikely. The burn pile locations are on BLM land and are the result of timber sales and salvage and/or fuel reduction treatments of beetle killed lodgepole pine.

The Mule Creek prescribed burn project area is eight miles south of Parshall off Grand County Road 3.

Smoke may be visible from Grand County Road 3 and the project area during the pile burning. Burn plans have been prepared and approved and ignition will only take place if weather and ground conditions are within specifically determined parameters that allow for safe and efficient operations. Smoke permits from the Colorado State Air Pollution Division are in place.

Removing and burning flammable debris will lower the risk of catastrophic wildland fire providing a safer environment for the public and firefighters.

Please contact Kevin Thompson Fire Management Specialist at 970-724-3033 for more information.

Colorado Daily Status Report January 20, 2015

Alerts/Warnings:
State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Status:
Day to Day - Duty Officer: 303-472-4046
Current Disasters/Large Incidents:
No incidents requiring State support

One Month Left to Apply for SBA Disaster Loans



Information submitted by the Small Business Administration public information officer.

Edward J. Cadena, Director of the U. S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Colorado District Office, today reminded small businesses of the February 16, 2015, deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury caused by the Red Mountain Pass Rockslide in Ouray County that occurred January 13 - June 12, 2014.

According to Cadena, small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. “EIDLs may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the applicant suffered any property damage,” Cadena said.

These low-interest federal disaster loans are available in Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan and San Miguel counties in Colorado.

The interest rate is 4 percent for businesses and 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

For owners of these impacted small businesses, disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling toll-free at (800) 659-2955 or e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call(800) 877‑8339. For more information about SBA’s disaster assistance programs, visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster.

Colorado Daily Status Report January 16, 2015

Alerts/Warnings:
National Terrorism Advisory System: No Current Alerts
State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Status:
Day to Day - Duty Officer: 303-472-4046
Current Disasters/Large Incidents:
No incidents requiring State support

Colorado Daily Status Report January 15, 2015

Alerts/Warnings:
State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Status:
Day to Day - Duty Officer: 303-472-4046
Current Disasters/Large Incidents:
No incidents requiring State support

Colorado Daily Status Report: January 14, 2015





Alerts/Warnings:
National Terrorism Advisory System: No Current Alerts
State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Status:
Day to Day - Duty Officer: 303-472-4046
Current Disasters/Large Incidents:
No incidents requiring State support



View or download the complete Colorado Daily Status Report for January 14, 2015.

Clear Creek Ranger District Pile Burning for January 14, 2015

Information provided by Boulder Ranger District public information officer.

U.S. Forest Service firefighters plan to take advantage of existing and forecasted snow accumulation to burn slash piles in the Yankee Hill fuels project area, Units 36 and 38, located adjacent to the south of Columbine Campground in Gilpin County. Ignition may continue today and throughout the week and as conditions allow.

Conditions are evaluated each day of the burn to determine if ignition will take place. Wind, fuel moisture, staffing and amount of snow cover all play a factor in where and whether ignition occurs.

Due to the topography of the area pile burning activities may be visible from Apex Road, Central City, Black Hawk, and the Peak-to-Peak Highway.

To receive updates on pile burning activities in the Boulder Ranger District area visit www.fs.usda.gov/goto/arp/brdrxfire or contact Maribeth Pecotte at 303-541-2525.

Colorado Daily Status Report January 9, 2015

Alerts/Warnings:
National Terrorism Advisory System: No Current Alerts
State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Status:
Day to Day - Duty Officer: 303-472-4046
Current Disasters/Large Incidents:
No incidents requiring State support
View or download the complete Colorado Daily Status Report for January 9, 2015

Colorado Daily Status Report January 8, 2015

Alerts/Warnings:
State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Status:
Day to Day - Duty Officer: 303-472-4046
Current Disasters/Large Incidents:
No incidents requiring State support

Clear Creek Ranger Pile Burning Update for Janaury 8

Information provided by US Forest Service public information officer.

U.S. Forest Service firefighters plan to take advantage of existing and forecasted snow accumulation to burn slash piles in the Yankee Hill fuels project area, Units 36 and 38, located adjacent to the south of Columbine Campground in Gilpin County. Ignition may begin Wednesday and continue throughout the week and weekend as conditions allow.

Conditions are evaluated each day of the burn to determine if ignition will take place. Wind, fuel moisture, staffing and amount of snow cover all play a factor in where and whether ignition occurs.

Due to the topography of the area pile burning activities may be visible from Apex Road, Central City, Black Hawk, and the Peak-to-Peak Highway.

To receive updates on pile burning activities in the Boulder Ranger District area visit www.fs.usda.gov/goto/arp/brdrxfire or contact Maribeth Pecotte at 303-541-2525.

Colorado Daily Status Report January 7, 2015

Alerts/Warnings:
State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Status:
Day to Day - Duty Officer: 303-472-4046
Current Disasters/Large Incidents:
No incidents requiring State support

News Release: How to Catch a Silent Killer

Media Release

Contact Information:
Nathan Hunerwadel, PIO
Cell: 720-879-2462
nathan.hunerwadel@state.co.us

How to Catch a Silent Killer

Centennial, Colo. January 7, 2015 – Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death. It is often called "the silent killer" because it is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that can delete the bloodstream of oxygen in both humans and animals.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than one hundred fifty people die from accidental non-fire related carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning—mostly associated with combustion fumes, such as those produced by cars and trucks, stoves, lanterns, and by burning charcoal and wood.

Faulty furnaces and other heating appliances, portable generators, water heaters, clothes dryers or cars left running in garages can also product CO. The danger lies when CO builds up in an enclosed area or semi-enclosed space. Red blood cells pick up CO quicker than oxygen. As the amount of CO in the body increases, oxygen is blocked which can damage vital tissue, and result in death.

Throughout this week READYColorado will share tips on how to catch this silent killer.

Contact READYColorado for an interview or follow the blog at www.READYColorado.com or the READYColorado social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook and Google +.

Know the Symptoms of CO Poisoning

  • At moderate exposure levels, the most common symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, nausea and drowsiness.
  • Exposure to undetected high levels of carbon monoxide can be fatal.
  • The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
  • High levels of CO ingestion can cause loss of consciousness and death.
  • Unless suspected, CO poisoning can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other illnesses.
  • People who are sleeping or intoxicated can die from CO poisoning before ever experiencing symptoms.

If you Suspect CO Poisoning

  • Immediately move everyone and pets to a fresh air location (outdoors or by an open window or door).
  • Account for everyone inside the home.
  • Call 9-1-1 or the fire department from a fresh air location (outdoors or by an open window).
  • Remain at a fresh air location until emergency personnel arrive.Simple Steps to Protect Yourself and 

 Your Family from Deadly Carbon Monoxide Fumes

  • Install a CO Alarm.
  • Choose a CO alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Install and maintain CO alarms inside your home to provide early warning of carbon monoxide.
  • CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each separate sleeping area, on every level of the home, and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, have CO alarms that are interconnected throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height.
  • Combination smoke-CO alarms must be installed in accordance with requirements for smoke alarms.
  • CO alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms and vice versa. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and the sound of CO alarms.

READYColorado is Colorado's official source for homeland security and all-hazards preparedness information. This campaign is supported by numerous public and private partners.

READYColorado began as a project funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program known as the Denver Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI). Using a regional approach, UASI unites many metro area cities, emergency response agencies, and private partners together to enhance preparedness and response capabilities. The campaign transitioned to the State of Colorado in 2011 and is currently managed by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) within the Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS).