Tag: public_safety

Thursday, 03 05, 2015

Kerri Richardson
Terry Sebastian
502-564-2611

Emergency order accelerates resources to communities in need

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Steve Beshear has declared a state of emergency for the Commonwealth – the second such declaration in less than a month.

“Two significant winter storms nearly back-to-back are rare in Kentucky, and pose a challenge for our emergency management teams, road crews and local emergency responders. This emergency declaration will allow us to deploy any needed state assistance, including National Guard troops if necessary, without delay,” said Gov. Beshear.

Snow continues to accumulate, approaching up to 20 inches in some parts of Kentucky. Rain and sleet preceded the snow, making pre-treating roads impossible. Road crews working to clear highways and interstates were hampered by the fast-falling snow, which re-covered roads almost as quickly as they were plowed. As a result, roads across the state are in poor to treacherous condition.

The statewide declaration allows local officials immediate access to state resources to assist in public safety and recovery efforts. A separate emergency order will alleviate certain trucking restrictions so that vehicles carrying emergency supplies may travel through the state more quickly.

Gov. Beshear and state officials remind drivers that it is extremely important to avoid travel if possible so road crews can salt and plow interstates and major highways. He encouraged citizens to check on elderly neighbors.

The storm brings other dangers as well. Yesterday’s warm temperatures, snow melt and rain caused flooding in several areas before the snow began to fall. Heavy snow accumulations may also cause power outages or roof collapses.

A statewide emergency declaration does not create mandatory closings for schools or businesses. Kentuckians should monitor local media for announcements of school or work closings. Employees should consult their employers’ policies regarding inclement weather for guidance on attendance or leave time.

The Commonwealth Emergency Operations Center (CEOC), located in Frankfort, remains activated with additional staffing from Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM), KYNG, state cabinets and volunteer organizations monitoring the situation, fielding calls and responding to requests for assistance. The National Guard has been activated to several locations to support emergency response efforts.

###

http://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-Stream.aspx?viewMode=ViewDetailInNewPage&eventID={D10ACFFC-F350-4AED-9040-04966F275452}&activityType=PressRelease

Press Release Date:	Thursday, February 26, 2015
Contact Information:	Contact: Buddy Rogers Office: 502-607-1611
URL:	https://web.archive.org/web/20170210210211/http://migration.kentucky.gov/Newsroom/dma_kyem/2015severeweatherawaremessmonth.htm

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 26, 2015) – Governor Steve Beshear has proclaimed March as “Severe Weather Awareness Month in Kentucky.”

Weather is always a threat in Kentucky: There have been a total of 13 presidential major disaster declarations during Gov. Beshear’s time in office. All of these disasters have been weather related.

As part of severe weather awareness activities, a statewide tornado drill is being conducted in conjunction with the proclamation.

At approximately 10:017 a.m. EST, Tuesday, March 3, the National Weather Service (NWS), partnering with Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM), the Kentucky Weather Preparedness Committee (KWPC) and Kentucky Broadcasters Association (KBA) will issue a tornado warning test message.

Outdoor warning sirens will sound across Kentucky communities; weather alert radios will activate; and television and radio stations and mobile devices will broadcast the alert – allowing the public the opportunity to practice tornado safety measures.

The broadcast test message will emphasize this is only a test of the alert system. During the test alert, all Kentuckians, businesses, hospitals, nursing homes, educators and government agencies are encouraged to practice their tornado safety drill and update their emergency plan.

Severe weather preparedness begins with knowing the risks:

• Step 1. Understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family.
• Step 2. Check the weather forecast regularly. Get a NOAA Weather Radio and sign up for localized alerts from emergency management officials.
• Step 3: Develop a personal emergency plan that considers all types of local hazards.

If you do not have a tornado plan in place, consider these guidelines:

• Designate a tornado shelter in an interior room on the lowest level of a building, away from windows.
• Basements are best, but, if there is no basement, choose an interior bathroom, closet or other enclosed space on the lowest level of a building.
• Tell everyone where the designated shelter is and post the location.

To conduct a tornado drill at home or work:

• Announce the start of the drill.
• Participants should act as though a tornado warning has been issued for the immediate area or a tornado has been sighted nearby. They should move as quickly as possible to the designated tornado shelter.
• Once people reach predesignated safe areas, they should crouch as low as possible to the floor, facing down, covering their heads with their hands.
• Once everyone has reached safe shelter, announce the mock tornado has passed and the drill is complete.
• After the drill, perform an assessment. Determine whether the shelter you chose was large enough for everyone, easy to get to and uncluttered.
• Help emergency managers and weather officials improve weather notifications and awareness campaigns by completing a short online survey, available at http://kyem.ky.gov/preparedness/Pages/default.aspx.

During severe weather, if you are caught outdoors and unable to seek indoor shelter, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

Remember, outdoor sirens are not designed to warn indoor inhabitants, and tornadoes also strike during the night. If you are asleep or don’t happen to have a television or radio turned on when a severe weather warning is issued; battery-backed weather alert radios are always on and ready to sound an alarm. This is the most effective way to monitor severe weather watches and warnings at any time of day or night.

Homes and businesses alike should have and should monitor weather alert radios, which automatically transmit NWS severe weather watches and warnings 24 hours a day.

KYEM is offering an online survey form that each participant is encouraged to complete and submit. The results will be used to help determine the effectiveness of the drill and to identify ways to improve readiness and alert notifications.

The survey, weather safety tips, helpful links and resources can be found on the KYEM website at: http://kyem.ky.gov where you can follow KYEMPIO on Twitter, like us on facebook and sign up for mobile alert messages. Additional information is on the National Weather Service’s website at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/severe.html.

If inclement weather is in the forecast on March 3, the Statewide Tornado Drill will be rescheduled.

###

On February 17, 2015, Governor Stephen L. Beshear signed a Proclamation, declaring the month of March 2015 as Severe Weather Awareness month.

A PDF of the Proclamation is available for viewing on the Kentucky Emergency Management website: http://kyem.ky.gov/.

Text of the Proclamation follows:

 

---

 

Proclamation

by

Stephen L. Beshear

Governor

of the

Commonwealth of Kentucky

 

To All To Whom These Presents Shall Come:

WHEREAS, Severe weather can strike at any time in Kentucky, causing extensive and long-lasting effects upon Kentuckians and impacting personal lives, the social structure and the economy on both the local and state levels; and

WHEREAS, Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) is charged with the responsibility of preparing Kentucky for all forms of natural disasters, including severe weather; and

WHEREAS, KYEM cooperates with other state and federal government agencies, the National Weather Service, the Kentucky Weather Preparedness Committee, local emergency officials and private corporations to prepare the citizens of the Commonwealth for severe weather; and

WHEREAS, All Kentuckians are encouraged to participate in the 2015 Statewide Tornado Safety Drill to be held on March 3, at approximately 10:07 a.m. EST;

NOW, THEREFORE,I, STEVEN L. BESHEAR, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, do hereby proclaim March 2015 as

 

SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS MONTH

 

in Kentucky, and urge all public and private institutions, as well as residents, to note its observance and take necessary actions to prepare and protect our people and property that could be threatened as a result of severe storms.

DONE AT THE CAPITOL, in the City of Frankfort the 17th day of February, in the year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fourteen and in the 223rd year of the Commonwealth.

 

STEVEN L. BESHEAR
GOVERNOR

 

 

ALISON LUNDERGAN GRIMES
SECRETARY OF STATE

In conjunction with National Preparedness Month, Governor Steve Beshear has proclaimed September as Preparedness Month in Kentucky (View Proclamation).

If the lights go out, are you prepared? That is a simple but necessary question that we must ask ourselves. In the event of a power outage something as simple as having a flashlight, radio and extra batteries available can make you and your family more comfortable during these times.

Kentuckians face many weather related and man-made challenges throughout the year; from tornadoes, flooding, straight line winds, lightning winter storms, hazardous chemical spills to daily emergencies. Every household and every business should be prepared to face these challenges at any given time.

Although state and local governments are here to assist the public during these times, preparedness starts at home. It starts with being aware of conditions and situations that threaten you and your family’s safety.

BE AWARE – BE PREPARED – HAVE A PLAN!

Be Aware:

• Know what risks face your community
• Know in advance your weather forecasts
• Own and monitor a battery backup NOAA Weather Alert Radio and battery (or crank) AM/FM radio for local broadcasts
• During an emergency stay tuned to your local broadcasting stations
• Discuss conditions with family members and know their location during times of known potentially threatening conditions

Be prepared: You should have at minimum a three day supply of food and water for each member of your family. Changing out periodically.

• Put together an emergency kit to include essentials such as: medicines, flash lights, radio, extra batteries, matches, candles, first aid supplies, eye glasses, extra keys, CASH, etc.
• Refresh you emergency kit(s) periodically
• If you own a generator, read and familiarize yourself with the owner’s safety manual before ever attempting to use it

Have a plan:
Along with an emergency kit you should have an emergency plan.

• Discuss your plan with family members, neighbors and a out of state contact
• Review your plan periodically for necessary updates
• Drill – practice your plan with household members

Preparedness guides and additional information can be found at http://www.ready.gov/guides.

KENTUCKY PARTICIPATES IN REGIONAL EARTHQUAKE EXERCISE

Press Release Date:	Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Contact Information:	MEDIA CONTACT: Buddy Rogers Tel. No. 502-607-1611

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 18, 2014) On Monday, June 16, Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) and its partners kicked off a weeklong earthquake exercise, CAPSTONE-14, designed to strengthen partnerships between local, state and federal governments and the private sector.

Under the direction of the Central United Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC) board of directors, CAPSTONE-14 has been three years in planning and is based upon the occurrence of a damaging earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ). The exercise is being conducted from Monday, June 16 to Friday, June 20, 2014 in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.

KYEM Director Michael Dossett said, “CAPSTONE-14 offers Kentucky and our neighboring CUSEC states the opportunity to build upon the existing partnerships which are in place and opportunities to identify what works and what needs improvement.”

Kentucky’s CAPSTONE -14 objectives include: establishing interoperability among the eight participating states and federal and local governments; focusing on communications; managing resources; establishing a common operational picture through the use of geographic information systems and information management systems; and integrating private sector participants into individual state and multi-state regional command and control activities through the use of the virtual business emergency operations center.

This exercise is also testing new technology to allow better communication and interoperability among officials and agencies in multiple states, including a map that allows the public to track areas impacted by the simulated earthquake at www.tinyurl.com/CAPSTONE-MAP.

For more information on CAPSTONE-14 visit www.cusec.org. Visit www.kyem.ky.gov for more information about Kentucky Emergency Management and to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

-end-
Article originally published at: http://migration.kentucky.gov/Newsroom/dma_kyem/capstone2014.htm

The Statewide Tornado Safety Drill, which had been planned for today, has been rescheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, March 5 at 10:07 a.m. EST.

Kentucky Weather Preparedness Committee (KWPC) members decided to reschedule the drill due the lasting effects from the recent winter storm, which has caused hazardous driving conditions and numerous school closings across the Commonwealth.

Governor Steve Beshear has proclaimed March 2 – 8 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Kentucky, and the Tornado Drill is a part of scheduled activities designed to educate and increase public awareness.

“Although there is snow on the ground today, temperatures are expected to be in the 60s by the coming weekend. Who knows what the weather may hold next week?” said Buddy Rogers, KWPC Chairperson “That’s why we encourage everyone to participate in the statewide tornado drill and review their personal weather safety plan.”

Drill participants are encouraged to go to www.kyem.ky.gov and complete a short survey, which will help local and state officials better prepare citizens for severe weather events.

The drill survey, information on Severe Weather Awareness Week and additional weather preparedness information, can be found at www.kyem.ky.gov.

###

Media Contact: Commonwealth Joint Information Center 502.607.6666

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 2, 2014) – The Commonwealth Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) activated today at 3 pm at Level III to monitor the winter storm crossing the Commonwealth today through tomorrow afternoon. Level III staffing includes designated state and private sector partners and other officials.

National Weather Service officials have predicted significant accumulations of freezing rain, ice, sleet and snow across the Commonwealth. Coupled with strong winds and gusts up to 20-30 mph, downed power lines and trees are expected along with widespread power outages. If you lose power, do not use unapproved alternate heating sources inside the home.

Officials strongly encourage people to watch the weather carefully and if you do not have to travel, stay home. If you must get out in the winter storm, ensure your vehicle is full of gas and packed with an emergency kit including extra blankets and nonperishable food items.

For additional weather preparedness information, visitwww.kyem.ky.gov. Call 511 or check www.511.ky.gov for road conditions if you must travel.

###

Improper use of generators, heaters can be extremely dangerous

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 2, 2014) – With a winter storm bearing down on Kentucky today, the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) is urging residents who lose power to exercise caution when using portable generators or clearing storm debris.

The National Weather Service is forecasting ice accumulations of more than half an inch in parts of Kentucky, making this the worst ice event since January 2009. Strong winds tonight are expected to put further strain on ice-coated trees and power lines.

The PSC is reminding Kentucky residents to stay away from all downed lines. Downed lines should be reported to the local utility company. If the lines are sparking, on fire or otherwise creating an emergency, call 911.

Customers who lose power should follow proper safety precautions if they use portable generators or heating devices, PSC Chairman David Armstrong said.

“Fortunately, this storm is forecast to be much less severe than in the one in 2009,” Armstrong said. “Nevertheless, it has the potential to cause some serious power outages.

“As we have learned from previous storms, improper use of portable generators can be extremely dangerous,” he said. “Many Kentuckians have lost their lives, and many others have been hospitalized, as the result of being poisoned by carbon monoxide emitted by portable generators that were not used correctly.”

To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning or fire hazards:

• Generators should only be operated outside in well-ventilated areas and never in a garage, basement or breezeway.
• Do not operate generators near windows, doors or in other areas where exhaust fumes could be drawn into a home or other occupied structure.
• Do not use charcoal grills, gas grills or other open-flame devices indoors for heating or cooking.
• Use only portable heaters certified for indoor use. They should be placed in well-ventilated areas and kept well away from combustible materials.
• To prevent fires, generators should never be refueled while they are running. Refuel only after the generator has been turned off and allowed to cool.

The PSC also is reminding electric customers who use a portable generator of electric safety guidelines that will protect them and those working to restore power. Keys to safe operation of generators include:

• Make sure a generator is properly sized for the load you will place on it. Remember that starting an electric motor, such as a refrigerator or air conditioner compressor, requires more electricity than the amount needed to keep it running. DO NOT OVERLOAD YOUR GENERATOR.
• Use only three-prong, grounded extension cords, properly rated for the load, to connect appliances to generators.
• DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FEED POWER INTO YOUR HOME BY ADAPTING AN EXTENSION CORD TO CONNECT A GENERATOR TO A WALL OUTLET. THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE.
• DO NOT CONNECT A GENERATOR TO INSIDE WIRING IN ANY WAY UNLESS YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS IS EQUIPPED WITH A TRANSFER SWITCH THAT PREVENTS POWER FROM FLOWING BACK INTO (BACKFEEDING) THE WIRES THAT SUPPLY YOUR ELECTRICITY.

Backfeeding poses a severe danger to workers attempting to restore electrical service. They can be severely injured or killed by power flowing back into lines which they assume are not carrying electricity. Also, if the line to your home or business becomes grounded, backfeeding can permanently damage your generator.

Customers who lose power should contact their utility company immediately. Most utilities in Kentucky have systems that use customer reports to help identify the location of the problem and determine what repairs are needed.

“It is important that every customer call to report an outage,” Armstrong said. “But repeated calls simply tie up the utility’s phone system. Call at once, but call only once.”

Customers who lose power also should check electric connections and meters for damage. Damaged connections or meters must be repaired before power can be restored to a home or business.

“It is critical that damaged connections be repaired by a qualified professional and inspected before power is restored,” PSC Chairman Armstrong said. “In past outages, fires and severe damage have been caused by damaged or improperly repaired service connections.”

Repairing a service connection or meter base is the responsibility of the individual customer. The meter base is the square or rectangular box on which the meter itself is mounted. It belongs to the property owner. The meter itself – the circular, glass-enclosed portion that attaches to the meter base – is the property of the utility company.

Customers with damaged connections or meters should take the following steps:

• Notify the utility company that the service connection, meter base and/or meter is damaged. The utility can then make sure that the line is not energized until repairs are completed.
• In the event that only the meter itself is damaged, contact the utility to have it repaired or replaced and your service restored.
• Contact an electrician to repair the meter base or service connection. The repair work can be done prior to power being restored in an area, thus eliminating any additional delays.
• The electrician will obtain the proper meter base from the utility. Some utilities impose no charge for the meter base, but the customer will bear the installation cost.
• Have the repairs inspected by a state-certified inspector working for your local government. The electrician should be able to help arrange the inspection.
• Notify the utility when the repairs are complete and have been approved. A utility technician will install a new meter and restore the power.
• Keep all repair records and contact your property insurer.

Residents SHOULD NOT attempt to remove any branches, limbs or trees that have fallen across service connections or other utility lines. Notify the utility to arrange for the debris to be removed.

“We know that the very cold weather makes these utility disruptions particularly unpleasant and dangerous,” Armstrong said. “We urge people to be patient and to take proper precautions to protect their health and safety while they wait for power to be restored.”

The PSC is an independent agency attached for administrative purposes to the Energy
and Environment Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and
telecommunication utilities operating in Kentucky and has approximately 90 employees.

-30-

FOR STORM OUTAGE UPDATES, FOLLOW THE PSC ON TWITTER @KYPSC

Article source: http://psc.ky.gov/agencies/psc/press/032014/0302_r01.PDF