NEWS RELEASE: Severe Weather Awareness Week

Contact:
Communications Specialist
Jennifer Hillmann
720-879-2462
jennifer.hillmann@state.co.us

Colorado DHSEM Preparing Colorado Residents for Severe Weather

Centennial, Colo. – April 17, 2017 —The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s READYColorado program partners with the Colorado National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Offices to prepare individuals for hazardous weather year-round. Colorado DHSEM supports the National Seasonal Safety Campaign’s goal of building a Weather-Ready Nation, one that is prepared for extreme weather, water, and climate events. This week the READYColorado program focuses on thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding preparedness.

Thunderstorms/Lightning/Hail

Thunderstorms can produce deadly lightning capable of striking up to 10 miles away from a storm even if you don't see rain you could be in harm’s way! Remember this simple message: When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! Identify where the nearest shelter is located, and if the skies turn threatening, head inside immediately. Read more at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/thunderstorm/ weather.gov/lightning

Severe thunderstorms can produce damaging hail. Hail is a form of precipitation that occurs when updrafts in thunderstorms carry raindrops upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere where they freeze into ice. Hail can cause billions of dollars of damage to structures, crops and livestock. If hail is coming, find shelter, stay indoors, and stay away from windows.

Tornadoes

Tornadoes are nature’s most violent storms. Spawned from powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes can cause fatalities and devastate a neighborhood in seconds. A tornado appears as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground with whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Every state is at some risk from this hazard.

Flooding

The National Severe Storms Laboratory states that flooding occurs in every U.S. state and territory, and is a threat experienced anywhere in the world that receives rain. In the U.S. floods kill more people each year than tornadoes, hurricanes or lightning.

Here are a few flood safety tips:  

• Turn Around, Don't Drown. Avoid flooded areas with rapid flowing water. Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream. It takes only six inches of fast flowing water to sweep you off your feet.
• Get to higher ground. Stay away from high water-prone areas including dips, low spots, valleys, ditches, washes, etc.
• Don't allow children to play near high water, storm drains or ditches. Hidden dangers could lie beneath the water.

Want more tips and ideas? Head over to our website at www.READYColorado.com and read the full blog post, or follow us all week on our social media accounts for new posts on severe weather awareness each day.

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Follow READYColorado each week for new preparedness information:
On Twitter: @READYColorado
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/READYColorado
Website: http://www.READYColorado.com

  

NEWS RELEASE: National Public Safety Telecommunicator's Week

Contact:

Communications Specialist
Jennifer Hillmann
720-879-2462
jennifer.hillmann@state.co.us
DHSEM.state.co.us | COEmergency.com | Colorado.gov/MARS

Centennial, Colo. – April 10, 2017 — The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management recognizes National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week, April 9-15, 2017. When an emergency arises and you call 9-1-1 for help, the stress of the situation may cause you to forget your address. Being prepared can help eliminate some of the stress during emergencies.

National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week (NPSTW) goes hand-in-hand with 9-1-1 Education Month. NPSTW gives us the opportunity to thank 9-1-1 call takers, dispatchers and technicians who maintain radio and emergency phone systems, communications staff trainers, supervisors and managers and other telecommunications staff across the country who work hard every day to serve our communities. 9-1-1 Education Month reinforces the importance of community members being prepared for 9-1-1calls.

Knowing when to call 9-1-1 and what to expect can help reduce fear and feelings of helplessness in an emergency. Critical elements to keep in mind are as follows:
Teach children their address and phone number.
Know where you are. Could you tell 9-1-1 exactly where to find you? Provide the call taker with landmarks, such as cross streets and mileposts so they can locate you more easily.
Don’t hang up if you accidentally call 9-1-1. Stay on the line and tell the operator/dispatcher that you do not have an emergency. If you hang up they are required to call you back.
Stay calm, stay on the line and be ready to listen. 9-1-1 is there to help you until additional assistance arrives.

Resources for 9-1-1 Education Month

National Emergency Number Association Website
Things Everyone Needs to Know about 9-1-1 Brochure
9-1-1 Video PSA from NENA

Take a moment to thank those who protect our communities every day. Being prepared can save a life and lighten the degree of stress facing your emergency personnel. In an emergency, seconds matter, so staying informed and prepared can make all the difference.

Want more tips and ideas? Head over to our website at www.READYColorado.com and read the full blog post, or follow us all week on our social media accounts for new posts on how to properly communicate to 9-1-1 call takers and to see photos highlighting some of the great dispatchers and dispatch centers across Colorado.
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Follow READYColorado each week for new preparedness information:
On Twitter: @READYColorado
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/READYColorado
Website: http://www.READYColorado.com

NEWS RELEASE: READYColorado Campaign Tackles Poison Prevention Week

Contact:
Communications Specialist
Jennifer Hillmann
720-879-2462
jennifer.hillmann@state.co.us
DHSEM.state.co.us | COEmergency.com | Colorado.gov/MARS

Centennial, Colo. – March 17, 2017 — March 19-25, 2017, is National Poison Prevention Week. Poisoning is the leading cause of death from injuries in the United States, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Each year, more than two million poisonings are reported to the nation’s poison centers, which can be reached through the toll-free Poison Help line, 1-800-222-1222.

The following tips can help protect you and your loved ones:

Safety Tips

• Use National Poison Prevention Week as a time to inspect your entire home for any medicines or household products, such as detergents, cleaning products, pesticides, and fertilizers that may not be stored properly.
• Always store medicines and household products up high and install safety latches on cabinets used for medicines and household products.
• Keep medicines and vitamins in cupboards that are out of reach of children.
• Never call medicine “candy” to get a child to take it.
• For older members of the family who may be struggling to read the small type on medicine labels, use a daily dosage reminder dispenser to help track date, time and dosage.

Want more tips and ideas? Head over to our website at www.READYColorado.com and read the full blog post, or follow us all next week on our social media accounts for new posts on poison prevention each day.

Visit American Association of Poison Control Centers which supports the nation’s 55 poison centers on their efforts to prevent and treat poison exposures. They offer free, confidential medical advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

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Follow READYColorado each week for new preparedness information:


On Twitter: @READYColorado
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/READYColorado
Website: http://www.READYColorado.com

State EOC Activates at 12 p.m. to Support April Storm

The Colorado State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) activates at 12 p.m. today to support local jurisdictions with resource requests and information needs due to a statewide weather system impacting the state.

 State EOC Objectives

1. Monitor weather conditions across the State and  FEMA Region VII.
2. Establish and maintain situational awareness by staying in contact with local jurisdictions and other response agencies.
3. Be prepared to provide resources to local jurisdictions upon request through proper process in an effort to conduct a coordinated State-level response.
4. Ensure all resource request documentation is accurate, complete, and understandable.
5. Assist in the development and coordination of State-level messaging and provide support to local Joint Information Centers, as necessary.
6. Be prepared to initiate State - level response for incidents or events outside of impacted areas

Information Sources

The State EOC will be sharing information on the platforms listed below.  We also suggest bookmarking or following your local public safety or government accounts for updates.   Please note that you do not need a Twitter or Facebook account to access the information posted on these platforms. You can read the updates by clicking on the website links provided below.

Incident and Event Information

• Twitter: @COEmergency or www.Twitter.com/COEmergency
•  Facebook: COEmergency or www.Facebook.com/COEmergency
• Website:  www.COEmergency.com

 Community Preparedness and Safety Tips

• Twitter: @READYColorado or www.Twitter.com/READYColorado
• Facebook: READYColorado or www.Facebook.com/READYColorado
• Wessite:  www.READYColorado.com

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).

PIO Tools: Social Media Messaging Templates for January 2015

The DHSEM Strategic Communications team has updated and produced social media messaging templates for public information messaging throughout January 2015.

The templates are posted to the DHSEM website.  They include daily messaging for Twitter, Facebook and Google+. They also include weekly blogs on each of the topics below:

• Carbon Monoxide - How to Catch an Invisible Killer
• Avalanche Safety - Avalanches: Slippery Slope to Danger
• Cold Weather - Warming up to Cold Weather Safety
• Drug Safety - National Drug Facts Week

Thank you for your continued support and goal to make Colorado the most prepared state in the nation through this #COReady initiative.

News Release: Wrapping up the Holiday Season Safely

Contact Information:

Nathan Hunerwadel, Communications Specialist

Cell:  720-879-2462

nathan.hunerwadel@state.co.us

Wrapping up the Holiday Season Safely

Centennial, Colo. –December 22, 2014 – “Each year, fire departments respond to an average of 210 structure fires” caused by holiday trees (NFPA).

The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM)  teamed up with the South Metro Fire Rescue Authority (SMFRA) to demonstrate the extreme fire hazard created when simple lighting and tree safety tips are not followed during the holiday season.

A link to the video from the demonstration is available here:  http://youtu.be/SMfMczvk_tA

Throughout the week READYColorado will share additional holiday lighting and decoration safety tips at www.READYColorado.com and through our social media sites on Twitter and  Facebook.

Keep holiday safety a tradition in your home. Wrap up the season with these safety tips:

• Holiday decorations are meant for temporary use. 
• Leaving your decorations up for extended periods leaves wires unnecessarily exposed to the elements, which can decrease the product’s shelf life and increase the risk of electrical hazards.
• With time, trees continue to dry out making them increasingly flammable.
• Trees decorated with holiday lights have an increased risk because they’re in direct contact with an electrical source. 
• Check with your local community to find a recycling program through which to dispose of your tree early in the New Year.
• Carefully remove decorations, inspect them and secure them safely
• Always unplug decorations by using the gripping area.  Pulling on the cord could damage the wire and present a shock or fire hazard.
• As you take down holiday lights, inspect the wiring and discard any that have cracked, frayed, or appear to have damaged wire insulation. 
• Make sure to label or store indoor decorations separate from those intended for outdoor use.
• Store electrical decorations in a dry area that is not accessible by children or pets.

Information in this release is provided via the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFi) in accordance with their content use guidelines.  Please visit www.electrical-safety.org for additional information.

Colorado Winter Weather Awareness Week

Governor John Hickenlooper has proclaimed the week of October 19 – 25, 2015 as Winter Weather Awareness Week in Colorado. This is an excellent time for all individuals, families, businesses, schools and media outlets to review their winter storm preparedness plans. It is especially important for all new arrivals to the state to become familiar with the National Weather Service watch and warning definitions as well as winter safety procedures. 

Snow in Colorado is important to the farmers, the ski areas and for filling up reservoirs. However, winter storms often bring heavy snow, bitterly cold temperatures, high winds, low visibilities and slick roads. This can lead to dangerous travel conditions and other life threatening situations such as avalanches and very frigid wind chill temperatures. 

To help you prepare for these hazards this coming winter the National Weather Service will issue statements throughout the week to discuss:

• Monday:     Winter Travel Safety
• Tuesday:    Watches, Warnings and Advisories
• Wednesday: High Winds
• Thursday:  Wind Chill Temperatures and Hypothermia
• Friday:     Avalanche Safety
• Saturday:   Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Review

Anyone who needs information on winter storms in Colorado should contact their nearest National Weather Service office.

• Boulder Office:               303-494-3210
• Grand Junction Office: 970-243-7007
• Goodland Kansas Office:       785-899-7119
• Pueblo Office:                If you live near Pueblo call 719-948-3371. If you live near Colorado Springs call 719-573-6846. If you live near Alamosa call 719-589-3232. 

Each day Winter Weather Awareness Week blogs will be posted to our READYColorado.com website and posted to our READYColorado Twitter and Facebook accounts.

 

Blog written by Jim Pringle, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Weather Service Grand Junction.

DHSEM Update: August 1

Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Update:  August 1

This issue of the DHSEM Update includes information on:

• Public Assistance
• Public Hearings Announced for Amendment to CDBG-DR Action Plan
• Colorado Day of Service
• CEPC Annual Conference
• Job and Volunteer Opportunities
• CEPP August Meeting Reminder
• Kudos and Congratulations
• Education Resources
• National Geographic Article on Wildfire Mitigation
• CML Knowledge Now
• Webinar Notes on Climate Adaptation and Critical Infrastructure
• FEMA Social Media in Emergency Preparedness
• READYColorado Events Calendar
• Training Information
• FEMA Workshops and Conferences
• Upcoming PIO Courses
• DHSEM Training Calendar

Colorado Lightning Safety Awareness Week: Medical Issues of Lightning Injuries

Colorado Lightning Safety Awareness Week continues through Saturday. Lightning safety information provided this week will hopefully help you avoid any encounters with lightning. Today we discuss lightning injuries.

The facts about lightning strike victims:
In Colorado cloud to ground lightning flashes occur nearly a half million times each year. With millions of visitors and extensive outdoor activities it is not surprising that three people are killed each year in Colorado and there are an average of 13 lightning injuries. While any death is tragic, injuries can be equally tragic and devastating to the family. For those who have a relative that suffers a significant disability from lightning life changes forever. In addition to the physical pain and mental anguish suffered by the victim and their family the incident may lead to a loss of income for the family. Over time, medical expenses for treatment may drain the assets of a family.


View the full blog post written by the National Weather Service at www.READYColorado.com.