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TextHealth and Safety Podcast Transcript: May 19, 2010
Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast for May 19, 2010. I’m Jim Person, Fairfax County emergency information officer. Coming up, learn about the start of hurricane season and Hurricane Preparedness Week, how county staff are prepared for flooding, the Fairfax County Crime Solvers program and Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
Are you ready for hurricane season? It starts June 1. The National Hurricane Center will observe Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 23-29. Visit www.nhc.noaa.gov for more information and resources.
Virginia also has established a hurricane sales tax holiday, May 25-31, when you can save money on items you can use to protect your home and business during hurricane and flooding season, and add items to your family’s emergency supply kit. Many everyday items such as batteries, bottled water, duct tape and first-aid kits – as well as portable generators and NOAA weather radios – are exempt from state sales tax.
Fairfax County has more information online and residents are encouraged to submit pictures of emergency preparedness items purchased during the sales tax holiday, as well as emergency supply kits, to a special county Flickr page at www.flickr.com/groups/fairfaxprepares. For more on emergency preparedness, contact the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management at 571-350-1000.
To assist county residents during heavy rain with the potential for flooding, the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services has created a flood response plan that mobilizes employees to monitor water levels and the safety of local dams. Public works staff are trained to provide advance notice to residents in flood-prone areas and in inundation zones below state regulated dams. Around-the-clock monitoring of sensors that provide real-time data on rainfall amounts, water levels and other details about storms and hurricanes allow county staff to evaluate if there is an imminent threat to public safety.
One of the notification tools the county uses is the Community Emergency Alert Network, or CEAN. To receive emergency alerts through CEAN, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean.
The Fairfax County Crime Solvers program has begun using Facebook and implemented a new deadbeat parents page on its website. Become a Facebook fan and follow updates on wanted persons, unsolved crimes, suspects caught in the act and more. And by visiting the Fairfax Crime Solvers website weekly, residents can view the newest faces of deadbeat parents and other wanted fugitives. If you recognize anyone, contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS; that’s 1-866-411-8477; by e-mail through the website, www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to 274637; that’s “TIP187” to 274637. A $100 to $1,000 cash reward will be paid for information that leads to an arrest and callers never have to give their names or appear in court.
Finally, May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. The Fairfax County Police Department reminds motorcyclists that motorists often have trouble seeing motorcycles and reacting in time. Make sure your headlight works and is on day and night. Use reflective strips or decals on your clothing and on your motorcycle. And be aware of car and truck blind spots. More information is online at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at www.nhtsa.gov and at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police.
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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