In wake of the declaration of Code Orange, County officials and the Citizen Corps Council (the "CCC") are urging leaders of partnerships, civic federations and many other civic organizations to alert their members to a special Emergency Preparedness insert appearing in the Washington Post on Sunday, February 16th. The CCC has urged North Rosslyn to post the following message for our members.
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On Sunday, February 16th, the Washington Post will include a special Emergency Preparedness insert. The booklet entitled "Your Guide to Emergency Preparedness" will be bundled in the plastic-bound advertising and cartoon package and marked in big red letters to alert readers. This is a compact presentation of the most reliable and authoritative information currently available to citizens. It covers issues ranging from basics such as battery-operated radios to more complex issues like dealing with biochemical or radiation materials. It is important that members retain this for future reference. Note that in some regions this bundle is distributed with Saturday edition a day earlier.

Further information on official County efforts on emergency preparedness as well as the volunteer program of the Citizen Corps Council is also available on the Arlington County homepage, www.co.arlington.va.us/homepage. Look under "Preparedness." A much more comprehensive brochure "Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness" can be found on the FEMA site http://www.fema.gov/. Persons specifically seeking information on biochemical and radiation/nuclear threats can find this at http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/ pages 83-96.

The Arlington County Public Affairs Office has issued the following emergency preparedness notice, which appears to supercede the previous notice which was posted in this space yesterday:

Last week's announcement that the national terror threat level was elevated to "High" highlighted the need for emergency preparedness information and resources. One of these valuable resources--the 2003 Northern Virginia Guide to Emergency Preparedness--will be delivered to Arlingtonians this weekend.

Subscribers to the Washington Post will find the Guide in the Sunday (Feb. 16) advertising packet (often delivered on Saturday); non-subscribers will get a copy of the Guide in the mail on Friday (Feb. 14). The color-printed wrapping of the packet will clearly indicate that the Guide is enclosed. PLEASE KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE GUIDE AND HOLD ON TO YOUR COPY. (The Guide is also already available on the Arlington County Emergency Preparedness Web page at www.co.arlington.va.us/emergency.)
Talking about the Guide, County Board Chairman Paul Ferguson said, "While the federal government sets threat levels, people look to local government for guidance and support. The new Northern Virginia Guide to Emergency Preparedness is a valuable tool, not only as a planning resource, but also as a 'keeper' that can be pulled out and consulted when an emergency is imminent or has just occurred."

The 16-page color publication provides residents, visitors and employers and employees with a comprehensive guide for preparing for emergencies. It includes tips on creating an emergency supply kit, making financial preparations, preparing for extended loss of power, and planning for the special needs of children and senior citizens.

In addition to the hard copies being delivered this weekend, the 2003 version of the Guide is now available online at the County's Emergency Preparedness Web site at www.co.arlington.va.us/emergency. Text-only versions of the Guide will be available online in Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Farsi and Arabic by the end of February.

The County's Emergency Preparedness Web site offers an abundance of useful emergency information including a "Whom to Call" list, frequently asked questions about bio-threats and other terrorist activities, and links to counseling and support resources. The site is also a source of information if specific threat or target details become available, especially if they are associated with Arlington or the Washington metropolitan area. This information would also be made available on Info31, the County's cable television station (Comcast Cable channel 31).

The Guide is a regional effort sponsored by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission. In addition to Arlington, the Commission is made up of the following local governments: the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park; the counties of Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William; the towns of Dumfries, Herndon, Leesburg, Purcellville, and Vienna. Dominion Virginia Power, Fairfax County Water Authority and Washington Gas provided additional funding for the Guide.

Thank you,

Matthew Martin
Arlington County Government
County Manager's Office/Public Affairs
2100 Clarendon Blvd., Ste. 314
Arlington, VA 22201
703-228-3240 ph
703-228-3295 fax
www.co.arlington.va.us