Who Read It?

It's Official!

Our blog has now been read by people in every state in the U.S.

And has been read in over 28 countries.

In 2008, lets see if we can take the power of technology to the next level!

One Word - Planning?

Often people come to us and say, but how could I have planned for that.

Sometimes it just takes common sense. Other times it may just be a problem with communication. It could be as simple as, why didn't I think of that.

Planning may be quite simple. For example, one way to look at traffic management during an emergency, might be to look at traffic during the busiest travel day of the year.

However, that might be easier said than done.

This article notifies people of anticipated increased traffic in Virginia.

While this article talks about traffic in Maryland ... Construction during the busiest travel day of the year?

Hopefully, if there was an emergency they would suspend construction work. It is probably included in an emergency plan, or is it? And does it really need to be?

Fairfax County Really Offers That?

Did you know that Fairfax County trains students in Fire and EMS?

The following picture was taken this week at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy, which is currently planning expansion.

FCHS EMT/Fire Class of 2007-08

Learn more about Fairfax County Public Schools Fire and Emergencey Services program.

Helping Those In Need - Donations in a new light through the American Red Cross

During the holidays many people donate canned goods and health supplies to shelters and community organizations.

You often hear about the Red Cross asking for much needed blood donations.

In addition to your current donations, why not try something new this year and consider donating an emergency preparedness kit or supplies.

At the RedCross.org Store, you can find items under $20 to donate. And while you are shopping for that donation, make sure you have your own personal supply kit - for your home, car, and workplace.

I Am Legend with Wil Smith - National Request for Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Volunteers

Many of you have probably seen the trailer to the new movie "I Am Legend".

It is important that all of you act now and signup for your local Medical Reserve Corps so proper medication can be distributed before the movie is released in theaters.

By doing so, we can prevent this incident from happening.

Additional information on this situation can be found at http://www.iamlegend.com/.

If Wil Smith had been aware of the Medical Reserve Corps, would this have happened? Should we request that Warner Bros. take immediate action before the release?

While this movie may be fiction and the movie studios call to action is extreme, the anthrax attacks of October 2001 dramatically indicated the need to increase our capacity for dispensing medication to a large number of persons in a short timeframe.

For additional information on the Fairfax County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and volunteer opportunities, please visit http://www.fairfaxmrc.org/.

If you are outside this region, please visit http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/HomePage.

Fairfax County Police Are Looking For You!

The Fairfax County Police Department is looking for applicants to the Auxiliary Police Officer (APO) program.

The Fairfax County Times recently featured an article with additional information about the expanding program.

To learn more about this opportunity and other volunteer opportunities with the Fairfax County Police Department Volunteer Webpage

If you apply for any of the volunteer positions, mention you saw it on the Citizen Corps Council blog.

Fairfax County Police volunteer programs are part of the Fairfax County Citizen Corps.

Time For Your New Years Resolution from Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

This year, make it one of your resolutions (one that you will keep) to prepare for emergencies before they happen.

For more information, visit Ready.gov

Thanks for all that have made it a very successful year for Fairfax County Citizen Corps Council

Are Your Ready For Next Year? Virginia Is!

FEMA Community Preparedness Newsletter - Multiple Fairfax County References

FEMA Community Preparedness Newsletter - December 2007

Highlights from Around the Country

"Fairfax County, VA, Boy Scouts Participate in Emergency Preparedness Camporee"

Also referenced was the Fairfax County Citizen Corps Council blog and

the Fairfax County CERT blog.

The newsletter can be found here: http://www.citizencorps.gov/pdf/newsletter/cc-newsletter-december2007.pdf

Winter Preparedness Week - Emergency Management Website Not To Be Missed from NOAA's NWS

Thank you to Fairfax County, Virginia, and the American Red Cross for these useful resources.

Fairfax County Winter Weather Preparedness Tips

Ready Virginia Winter Weather 2007

American Red Cross Winter Preparedness

And now that we are prepared, perfect timing for our first snow of the season.

The NWS Baltimore/Washington Emergency Manager's Page is a public website that is worth checking out.


The website includes current hazards, hazard outlooks, storm predictions, forecasts, warnings, advisories, and several different map views. Basically, this webpage puts many different weather resources on a single webpage.

If you are not in the National Capital Region, then contact your local NWS Offices and Centers to see if they also have an "Emergency Managers" webpage.

Winter Preparedness Week – A Primer on Wind Chill and Dressing Warmly

REPRINTED FROM Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs Newslink - December 4, 2007

Wind chill indicates how cold people feel while outside. According to the National Weather Service, wind chill is not the actual temperature but rather how the wind and cold feels on exposed skin based on the rate of heat loss. If you are going to be outside in cold weather, the American Red Cross encourages you to:

- Dress appropriately. Air temperature does not have to be below freezing for someone to experience cold emergencies such as hypothermia and frostbite.

- Dress in layers to adjust to changing conditions. Avoid overdressing or overexertion, which can lead to heat illness.

- Wear a hat, preferably one covering your ears, because most body heat is lost through your head.

- Wear mittens as they provide more warmth to your hands than gloves.

- Wear waterproof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite by keeping your feet warm and dry, and to help maintain your footing in ice and snow.

- After coming inside, immediately get out of wet clothes and warm the core body temperature with a blanket or warm fluids such as hot cider or soup. Avoid caffeine or alcohol in cases of hypothermia or frostbite.

For more information, contact Ellen.Kamilakis@fairfaxcounty.gov or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency.

Additional information from the American Red Cross can be found on their Winter Storm webpage.

Winter Preparedness Week – Brrr! Don’t Forget Your Kit!

REPRINTED FROM Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs Newslink - December 3, 2007

This week has been declared Winter Preparedness Week by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. With the beginning of winter and colder weather, Fairfax County encourages residents to take precautions to stay safe. The first step is to assemble an emergency supply kit for home, work and vehicle. Recommended items include:

- At least a three-day supply of food that won’t spoil.
- One gallon of water per person, per day.
- A battery-powered radio (people with hearing impairments should consider signing up for the Community Emergency Alert Network – CEAN – at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean and obtaining a cell phone with text messaging capacity to receive CEAN messages).
- A flashlight with extra batteries.
- A first-aid kit.
- An extra supply of prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
- A plan for those with special needs who may need to stay in your home because they lost utilities from a storm. Those with special needs could include the elderly, people with disabilities and the medically frail.

For more information, contact Ellen.Kamilakis@fairfaxcounty.gov or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency