Emergency Management releases the 2009 Comprehensive Emergency Management (CEMP) Basic Plan Draft
This plan is the principal document for explaining how Skagit County and the participating municipalities will work cooperatively to administer a comprehensive emergency management program.

September 14th, 2009

NOAA Weather Radio Promotions Set September 26 in 10 Counties

Camp Murray, Wash. – Special promotions are scheduled in 10 counties from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. September 26 to enable customers to buy a NOAA weather radio and to have it programmed by amateur radio operators, other volunteers and staff.

The event, which are part of Disaster Preparedness and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio Awareness Month will occur in Skagit County at Mount Vernon: Ace Hardware, 1420 Riverside Dr.

Weather radios alert local residents to many immediate, life-threatening hazards, like weather, tsunamis, volcanoes, hazardous releases, and other dangerous events. Without a weather radio, a critical emergency warning message from local emergency authorities could be missed.

NOAA Weather Radio is a service of the National Weather Service, a part of the National

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Dept of Commerce. NOAA Weather Radio is the voice of the National Weather Service, broadcasting the latest area weather forecasts and conditions 24 hours a day.

The NOAA Weather Radio Promotion is coordinated between the Washington State
Emergency Management Division (EMD), Grays Harbor Public Utility District, retailers and local businesses, and the Washington coastal counties of Pacific, Grays Harbor, Clallam, and Jefferson to promote National Preparedness and NOAA Weather Radio Awareness Month.

Preparedness month activities also will include a statewide Drop, Cover, Hold drill at 10:15 a.m. on Sept. 24. More information about Preparedness Month is available from the Washington Emergency Management Division at www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/prep_infocus.shtml or from Rosanne Garrand, EMD public education program coordinator, (253) 512-7419

Daniel V. Cain, Director
Mark Watkinson, Coordinator, over 20 years of service
Kevin Noyes, Coordinator
Krista Salinas, Administration Assistant

DEM and the Skagit County Fire Marshal's Office share an office and provide around the clock coverage for emergency management and fire marshal response duties.

Wonder what the security alert color levels mean? Citizen Guidance on the Homeland Security Advisory System (Pdf)

Mission Statement:
To provide the emergency organization and coordination of resources to minimize loss of life and to protect property and the environment in the event of natural, human-caused, or technological emergencies or disasters affecting Skagit County.

Reminder: As an emergency management and coordinating agency, it is very important that DEM has current contact information for all agencies. Please be sure to send updated contact information for your agency on a regular basis.