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On December 16th, the Office of Emergency Management welcomed our new Director, Curry Mayer. Mayer comes to Seattle OEM from the Bellevue Office of Emergency Management, with decades of previous emergency management experience in California and the private sector.
Emergency management is about keeping our communities safe in the face of risk and hazards. In Seattle, that means earthquakes, winter weather, wildfire smoke, and more. During an emergency, that might look like an activation of the Emergency Operations Center, coordinating and supporting operational response, and keeping the public informed. But most days, our job at OEM is preparing the government and communities of Seattle for future emergencies.
"Helping communities be safer is the foundation of emergency management. It's the most important thing we do and my favorite part of the job," says Mayer. "We need to look for communities we haven't reached yet and connect people who may not even know we exist with the resources we offer. That's the cornerstone and the heart of what we do."
As OEM heads into 2021, we will continue to fulfill our mission under Mayer's leadership: Partner with the community to prepare for, respond to, mitigate the impacts of, and recover from disasters. If you want to partner with OEM to help your community prepare for emergencies, send us an email at oem@seattle.gov.
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On December 16th, OEM welcomed our new Director, Curry Mayer. Mayer comes to Seattle OEM from the Bellevue Office of Emergency Management, with decades of previous emergency management experience in California and the private sector.
Emergency management is about keeping our communities safe in the face of risk and hazards. In Seattle, that means earthquakes, winter weather, wildfire smoke, and more. During an emergency, that might look like an activation of the Emergency Operations Center, coordinating and supporting operational response, and keeping the public informed. But most days, our job at OEM is preparing the government and communities of Seattle for future emergencies.
"Helping communities be safer is the foundation of emergency management. It's the most important thing we do and my favorite part of the job," says Mayer. "We need to look for communities we haven't reached yet and connect people who may not even know we exist with the resources we offer. That's the cornerstone and the heart of what we do."
As OEM heads into 2021, we will continue to fulfill our mission under Mayer's leadership: Partner with the community to prepare for, respond to, mitigate the impacts of, and recover from disasters. If you want to partner with OEM to help your community prepare for emergencies, send us an email at oem@seattle.gov.
On December 16th, OEM welcomed our new Director, Curry Mayer. Mayer comes to Seattle OEM from the Bellevue Office of Emergency Management, with decades of previous emergency management experience in California and the private sector.
Emergency management is about keeping our communities safe in the face of risk and hazards. In Seattle, that means earthquakes, winter weather, wildfire smoke, and more. During an emergency, that might look like an activation of the Emergency Operations Center, coordinating and supporting operational response, and keeping the public informed. But most days, our job at OEM is preparing the government and communities of Seattle for future emergencies.
"Helping communities be safer is the foundation of emergency management. It's the most important thing we do and my favorite part of the job," says Mayer. "We need to look for communities we haven't reached yet and connect people who may not even know we exist with the resources we offer. That's the cornerstone and the heart of what we do."
As OEM heads into 2021, we will continue to fulfill our mission under Mayer's leadership: Partner with the community to prepare for, respond to, mitigate the impacts of, and recover from disasters. If you want to partner with OEM to help your community prepare for emergencies, send us an email at oem@seattle.gov.
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Today, December 21st, is the official start of winter. With winter comes plenty of hazards, including rain, snow, wind, and landslides. Being prepared for winter hazards is important, especially as we all spend more time at home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Winter Hazards
The winter months bring us plenty of weather, and with that the potential for emergencies. Click the links below to learn more about our winter hazards.
Being prepared for winter emergencies is as easy as understanding the hazards and planning for how you and your family will deal with them. Click here for information about creating an emergency plan for yourself, your family, and your neighborhood.
Safe Travels
COVID-19 is still a threat, and non-essential gatherings and travel continue to be discouraged under Governor Inslee's COVID restrictions. However, if you do travel, try to do so as safely as possible:
AlertSeattle
AlertSeattle is the City of Seattle's official emergency alert system. Residents, workers, and visitors are encouraged to sign up to receive free text, email, or phone call alerts when emergencies are happening in their area. You'll receive alerts for things like major road closures, snow storms, high winds, and other winter hazards. This system is also used to share information during disasters like earthquake and tsunamis.
Signing up to receive alerts is easy! Simply visit alert.seattle.gov and click the red Sign Up Now! button, or text the word SEATTLE to 67283 to instantly receive text message alerts from AlertSeattle. You can also follow AlertSeattle on Twitter and Facebook.
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 From the entire Office of Emergency Management team, we wish you the happiest of holiday seasons and a safe, healthy new year!
2020 kept us busy, but it also showed us the power of community and how we come together to help each other during times of trouble. Many communities used our Hello, Neighbor! cards or their neighborhood emergency plans to respond to COVID in their communities.
In 2021, OEM will continue to offer online disaster skills training and other classes on request, update the Seattle Hazard Mitigation Plan based on your input and feedback, and we will always be ready to respond to emergencies and disasters that impact Seattle. We look forward to partnering with you and your communities for emergency preparedness.
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On November 15, Governor Jay Inslee issued new statewide restrictions on social gatherings and businesses in response to the surge of COVID-19 across Washington state. These statewide restrictions took effect Monday, November 16 and will remain in effect until Monday, January 4.
As we enjoy the holiday season, our instinct is to come together and celebrate with our loved ones. But the reality is that out of public health necessity, this year’s holiday celebrations will look and feel different. To slow the spread, it is important to continue basic safety actions like wearing a mask and avoiding indoor gatherings, including holiday celebrations outside your household.
Review the latest public health guidance for COVID safety at kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19.aspx.
Connect with financial assistance and other programs for residents and businesses impacted by COVID at seattle.gov/mayor/covid-19.
There are several free testing sites currently operating in Seattle:
- The City of Seattle, King County, and UW Medicine are now offering free COVID-19 testing for people who live, work, or regularly visit Seattle. Drive-through and walk-up testing are available. You must first register online or over the phone. While testing is free, if you have medical insurance, please bring your insurance card or proof of insurance. To learn more about these sites, please visit the City of Seattle COVID-19 Free Testing page (hyperlink http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/covid-19/covid-19-testing).
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Public Health - Seattle & King County is regularly updating their list of free testing sites located all over King County, which also includes community health centers and UW Mobile Clinics. Language and mobility access varies by location. Learn more at Public Health – Seattle King County’s website (hyperlink https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/care/testing.aspx).
- Community health provider Neighborcare Health is offering COVID-19 testing at outdoor tents at their Meridian, Rainier Beach, High Point, and Vashon clinics, for anyone with symptoms. Please call a medical clinic to make a phone appointment with a medical provider first.
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