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TextHealth and Safety Podcast Transcript: Feb. 24, 2010
Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast for
Feb. 24, 2010. I’m Jim Person, Fairfax County emergency information
officer. Coming up, learn about a statewide tornado drill coming up in
March and more on winter preparedness and how to stay connected to
Fairfax County. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found
online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
A statewide tornado drill will be held on Tuesday, March 16, at 9:45 a.m. Every family and business should practice taking cover from tornadoes. To start the March 16 drill, the National Weather Service will send a “test” tornado warning on NOAA Weather Radio at 9:45 a.m. This will prompt radio and television stations to broadcast a test message.
During the drill, you should go immediately to the lowest level of your home, office or school building and move to a windowless interior hallway, room or closet. Then take a “drop, cover and hold” position. This means crouch as low as possible to the floor, facing down and covering your head with your hands.
To learn more about preparing your family, workplace or school for a tornado, go to www.ReadyVirginia.gov and click on “stay informed.” To learn more about conducting a tornado drill, and to register your participation in the statewide drill, go to www.vaemergency.com and click on threats and emergencies.
Did you know that during the recent February snow storms, the Fairfax County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) operated 16 consecutive 12-hour operational periods to provide emergency services to its residents.
During emergency events – such as the recent storms – residents can find emergency information and government operating status updates via numerous outlets, including:
- Fairfax County’s Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov
- Facebook at www.facebook.com/fairfaxcounty
- Twitter at www.twitter.com/fairfaxcounty
- Emergency information phone line (703-817-7771)
- The Community Emergency Alert Network (CEAN) at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean
- Fairfax County Government Channel 16
- And 1670 AM, emergency radio for Fairfax County, broadcasts weather information directly from the National Weather Service.
For more on how you can prepare yourself and your family, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency.
With the recent snow storms – and the unfortunate loss of power experienced by many Fairfax County residents – here’s some good tips to remember if your power goes out during a winter storm.
- Keep warm by wearing several layers of lightweight clothing and a knit cap.
- If you use an alternative heat source like a fireplace, wood stove or kerosene heater, ventilate properly to avoid toxic fumes.
- Heat only one room and close off all others.
- Eat high-energy foods like raisins, peanut butter or protein bars that will allow your body to produce its own heat.
For more winter safety tips, visit www.vaemergency.com.
That’s it for this edition of the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast, produced by the Fairfax County, Virginia government. Thanks for listening. Additional information about health and safety topics and emergency preparedness may be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov. And remember, if you have a police, fire or medical emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency needs, call 703-691-2131.
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