WAHKIAKUM COUNTY The Wahkiakum County Sheriffs Office Department of Emergency Management (DEM) announces that October is Washington State Disaster Preparedness Month.

Emergency Management Coordinator Beau Renfro said, I would like to thank all the residents that participated the Emergency Preparedness survey that I sent out in July. The information collected will help immensely in my planning efforts. I have begun to address some of the publics concerns that were identified.

Each week in October I plan on discussing a different aspect of how you and your family can become more prepared for emergencies or disasters. In the coming weeks, I will be discussing the Great Washington ShakeOut and a county-wide test of the Emergency Community Notification System.

There are three primary components to being ready for an emergency or disaster: Be informed, Create a Plan and Build a Kit.

Our county has five primary ways of getting the word out to our community. Below is a brief description of each.

Wahkiakum County Emergency Information line: Residents can call 795-3911 or 877-795-3910 (West End) and they will be able to listen to a recorded message that includes severe weather information, current road conditions and any other important announcements from the Sheriffs Office and DEM.

Facebook: Follow WahkiakumCounty to see posts from county officials including DEM.

Emergency Community Notification System: This is a system that will allow me to send out recorded messages to residents. All hard wired landline telephone numbers are automatically added to the system. It is very important for all residents to register there V.O.I.P. and/or cellular telephones by visiting the DEM website at: www.co.wahkiakum.wa.us/dem.html and then click on the Alert Wahkiakum County picture or contact Renfro.

NOAA Weather Radio Network: This network allows Wahkiakum DEM and the National Weather Service to issue urgent and emergent messages through any weather radio that is equipped with tone alert capability and that is monitoring frequency 162.400. These radios are widely available and retail for around $20.

Emergency Alert System: Allows federal, state and local emergency managers to issue alerts by: preempting cable TV and radio.

If you have any questions or need more information contact Renfro at 795-3242, 465-2202 or visit www.co.wahkiakum.wa.us/dem.html.