SNOW - Stay off the Roads, Not Out in the Weather

Overall, most winter storm deaths result from vehicle or other transportation accidents caused by ice and snow. Residents should avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow, or dense fog. These are serious conditions that are often underestimated, and they make driving – and even walking outside – very hazardous.

It is safer for everyone if you stay put – and not travel during inclement weather – whether you are at home, work or school.

By staying off the roads during the worst of the weather, local departments of transportation are more easily able to access roads that need treatment, snow plows can more freely clear roads and get to areas needing plowing and public safety officials can respond more quickly to residents in need of emergency services.

It may require employees to take a couple of hours of personal leave during the winter, but leaving early enough to avoid bad weather and traffic gridlock caused by slippery road conditions is worth the investment. Thinking strategically about your travel and where you really need to be will require some planning and thought. 

“Get Where You Need to be Before the Weather Gets Bad”

Do NOT Travel During Winter Storms

• Curtail “elective” travel; avoid unnecessary travel. If it is not a life safety issue, stay off the roads.
• If you don’t have to travel… don’t! The safest place during a winter storm is indoors. About 70 percent of deaths related to ice and snow occur in automobiles.
• Stay at the office an extra hour, or leave early, to avoid travel during a winter storm.
• If residents stay off the roads during a storm, transportation workers and public safety officials are better able to clear roadways and respond to emergency needs quicker.

Weather Changes Quickly 

• Be prepared for the worst. Be ready to spend an extra hour at the office, or leave an hour or two early, to avoid a more time consuming commute home during the height of a storm.
• Have an emergency supply kit in your office and car.

Listen to Local Officials 

• If local officials advise residents to stay off the roads – then stay off the roads.
• Public safety and emergency management officials, along with National Weather Service meteorologists, base travel advisories and guidance on weather forecasts. Heed their advice!
• Businesses that follow closing/delay policies from local jurisdictions or the federal Office of Personnel Management need to monitor those sources and release employees when advised.

Monitor the Weather 

• Listen to local Radio/TV weather forecasts; monitor social media.
• Sign up for text alerts from your local government.
• Sign up for weather alerts from NOAA/National Weather Service, including RSS feeds of your forecast and weather watches/warnings.
• Purchase a NOAA weather radio for your home and office. NOAA Weather Radio is the prime alerting and critical information delivery system of the National Weather Service (NWS). NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day.

Know the Emergency Plans for your Children’s School 

• If your child is safe at school, why risk a traffic accident during the worst weather to reach him/her, and then put all of you in danger? Let the school system implement their emergency plan, stay off the road and let transportation crews clear the roadways.

About the National Capital Region (NCR)

The National Capital Region (NCR) is not an operational entity because emergency response is a local function. Because the NCR is a collection of sovereign jurisdictions, including cities, counties, states and the District of Columbia, this website and the efforts of the region's communicators and public information officers will focus on regional collaboration between the region’s homeland security partners to achieve a “safe and secure National Capital Region.”

SNOW - Stay off the Roads, Not Out in the Weather

Overall, most winter storm deaths result from vehicle or other transportation accidents caused by ice and snow. Residents should avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow, or dense fog. These are serious conditions that are often underestimated, and they make driving – and even walking outside – very hazardous.

It is safer for everyone if you stay put – and not travel during inclement weather – whether you are at home, work or school.

By staying off the roads during the worst of the weather, local departments of transportation are more easily able to access roads that need treatment, snow plows can more freely clear roads and get to areas needing plowing and public safety officials can respond more quickly to residents in need of emergency services.

It may require employees to take a couple of hours of personal leave during the winter, but leaving early enough to avoid bad weather and traffic gridlock caused by slippery road conditions is worth the investment. Thinking strategically about your travel and where you really need to be will require some planning and thought.

“Get Where You Need to be Before the Weather Gets Bad”

Do NOT Travel During Winter Storms

• Curtail “elective” travel; avoid unnecessary travel. If it is not a life safety issue, stay off the roads.
• If you don’t have to travel… don’t! The safest place during a winter storm is indoors. About 70 percent of deaths related to ice and snow occur in automobiles.
• Stay at the office an extra hour, or leave early, to avoid travel during a winter storm.
• If residents stay off the roads during a storm, transportation workers and public safety officials are better able to clear roadways and respond to emergency needs quicker.

Weather Changes Quickly

• Be prepared for the worst. Be ready to spend an extra hour at the office, or leave an hour or two early, to avoid a more time consuming commute home during the height of a storm.
• Have an emergency supply kit in your office and car.

Listen to Local Officials

• If local officials advise residents to stay off the roads – then stay off the roads.
• Public safety and emergency management officials, along with National Weather Service meteorologists, base travel advisories and guidance on weather forecasts. Heed their advice!
• Businesses that follow closing/delay policies from local jurisdictions or the federal Office of Personnel Management need to monitor those sources and release employees when advised.

Monitor the Weather

• Listen to local Radio/TV weather forecasts; monitor social media.
• Sign up for text alerts from your local government.
• Sign up for weather alerts from NOAA/National Weather Service, including RSS feeds of your forecast and weather watches/warnings.
• Purchase a NOAA weather radio for your home and office. NOAA Weather Radio is the prime alerting and critical information delivery system of the National Weather Service (NWS). NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day.

Know the Emergency Plans for your Children’s School

• If your child is safe at school, why risk a traffic accident during the worst weather to reach him/her, and then put all of you in danger? Let the school system implement their emergency plan, stay off the road and let transportation crews clear the roadways.

About the National Capital Region (NCR)

The National Capital Region (NCR) is not an operational entity because emergency response is a local function. Because the NCR is a collection of sovereign jurisdictions, including cities, counties, states and the District of Columbia, this website and the efforts of the region's communicators and public information officers will focus on regional collaboration between the region’s homeland security partners to achieve a “safe and secure National Capital Region.”

Residents of the National Capital Region Encouraged To Take Common Sense Steps to Prepare If Attending the Presidential Inauguration

Local government officials from across the National Capital Region are asking residents to take common-sense steps to prepare for the upcoming 57th Presidential Inauguration. Inaugural activities will take place beginning on Sunday, Jan. 20, through Monday, Jan. 21, with the public inaugural ceremonies scheduled for Monday, Jan. 21.

The closer you live to or work in the District of Columbia will increase the potential impacts you may experience due to the inaugural activities. Residents and visitors to D.C. and the inauguration are encouraged to consider the following:

Make a Plan

·         Consider teleworking on Jan. 21 if possible. Carpool if you are traveling into the District of Columbia. Cars will be restricted from some parts of the city and it will be difficult to find parking.

·         Although Jan. 21 is a federal holiday and a holiday in many jurisdictions, some localities are enforcing weekday parking regulations. Be sure to plan ahead.

·         Bring your patience because there will be delays getting to your destination. Some roads, bridges and highways may be closed temporarily, and mass transit systems will be extremely crowded. http://inauguration.dc.gov/page/getting-there

·         Be ready to walk long distances in the District of Columbia because some Metro stations and roads will be closed for inaugural events. www.wmata.com/getting_around/metro_events/inauguration.cfm

Stay Informed

·         Visit www.inauguration.dc.gov to get information about road, bridge and highway closures, parking restrictions and mass transit plans.

·         Sign up to D.C. Alerts for real-time information on Jan. 21 about road closures, weather and more. Subscribe at www.inauguration.dc.gov. Receive emergency notifications, alerts and information about the 2013 Inauguration from the United States Park Police. www.capitalregionupdates.gov/clients/4063/517915.pdf

·         Information also will be available prior to and during Inauguration day on social media sites such as Twitter. To see Inauguration related material on Twitter, use #inaug2013. Some of the Twitter sites being used to communicate information from the Inaugural public safety and security partners include:

§  District Department of Transportation - @ddotdc

§  Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies - @jccic2013

§  Joint Task Force-National Capital Region - @JTFNCR

§  National Terrorism Advisory System - @NTASAlerts

§  Office of the D.C. Mayor - @MayorVinceGray

§  Secret Service - @SecretService

§  U.S. Department of Homeland Security - @DHSgov

§  WMATA - @metroinaug

Be Prepared

·         If you plan to attend any inaugural events, consider whether you can stand outside in large crowds for an extended period and whether you are ready for long delays getting home afterwards.

·         Bring with you any medications that you need because there will be very long delays in getting to and from events.

·         There will be a heightened level of security for the inauguration. All parade and event attendees are subject to a thorough security screening before entering any of the Inaugural event sites. Many items are also prohibited. Visit http://inauguration.dc.gov/page/spectator-information for more details.

The National Capital Region – which is comprised of 11 local jurisdictions, two states and the District of Columbia – prepares for disasters collaboratively across jurisdictional boundaries, bringing together elected officials, emergency management, law enforcement, fire and public health personnel, along with the nonprofit and private sectors.

###

About the National Capital Region
The NCR encompasses the District of Columbia and parts of Maryland and Virginia, including the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park and the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William in Virginia and Montgomery and Prince George’s in Maryland, which include the municipalities of Bowie, College Park, Gaithersburg, Greenbelt, Rockville and Takoma Park.

SNOW - Stay off the Roads, Not Out in the Weather

While the forecast for tomorrow is still a bit unsure, it appears to be a good time to provide some friendly safety tips as it relates to snow!  Yep, I used that dreaded four letter word!

Anyway, the below is from our partners in safety in the National Capital Region of which we are a part.  A great collaboration of all the jurisdictions in the metro area in an effort to provide consistent across the board (region) safety tips.

So while the storm could turn into a dud, it has the potential to leave us with a significant accumulation so better plan for the worst and be READY and prepared! 

Stay Safe,

Bill D 

Overall, most winter storm deaths result from vehicle or other transportation accidents caused by ice and snow. Residents should avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow, or dense fog. These are serious conditions that are often underestimated, and they make driving – and even walking outside – very hazardous.

It is safer for everyone if you stay put – and not travel during inclement weather – whether you are at home, work or school.

By staying off the roads during the worst of the weather, local departments of transportation are more easily able to access roads that need treatment, snow plows can more freely clear roads and get to areas needing plowing and public safety officials can respond more quickly to residents in need of emergency services.

It may require employees to take a couple of hours of personal leave during the winter, but leaving early enough to avoid bad weather and traffic gridlock caused by slippery road conditions is worth the investment. Thinking strategically about your travel and where you really need to be will require some planning and thought.

“Get Where You Need to be Before the Weather Gets Bad”

Do NOT Travel During Winter Storms

• Curtail “elective” travel; avoid unnecessary travel. If it is not a life safety issue, stay off the roads.
• If you don’t have to travel… don’t! The safest place during a winter storm is indoors. About 70 percent of deaths related to ice and snow occur in automobiles.
• Stay at the office an extra hour, or leave early, to avoid travel during a winter storm.
• If residents stay off the roads during a storm, transportation workers and public safety officials are better able to clear roadways and respond to emergency needs quicker.

Weather Changes Quickly

• Be prepared for the worst. Be ready to spend an extra hour at the office, or leave an hour or two early, to avoid a more time consuming commute home during the height of a storm.
• Have an emergency supply kit in your office and car.

Listen to Local Officials

• If local officials advise residents to stay off the roads – then stay off the roads.
• Public safety and emergency management officials, along with National Weather Service meteorologists, base travel advisories and guidance on weather forecasts. Heed their advice!
• Businesses that follow closing/delay policies from local jurisdictions or the federal Office of Personnel Management need to monitor those sources and release employees when advised.

Monitor the Weather

• Listen to local Radio/TV weather forecasts; monitor social media.
• Sign up for text alerts from your local government.
• Sign up for weather alerts from NOAA/National Weather Service, including RSS feeds of your forecast and weather watches/warnings.
• Purchase a NOAA weather radio for your home and office. NOAA Weather Radio is the prime alerting and critical information delivery system of the National Weather Service (NWS). NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day.

Know the Emergency Plans for your Children’s School

• If your child is safe at school, why risk a traffic accident during the worst weather to reach him/her, and then put all of you in danger? Let the school system implement their emergency plan, stay off the road and let transportation crews clear the roadways.

About the National Capital Region (NCR)

The National Capital Region (NCR) is not an operational entity because emergency response is a local function. Because the NCR is a collection of sovereign jurisdictions, including cities, counties, states and the District of Columbia, this website and the efforts of the region's communicators and public information officers will focus on regional collaboration between the region’s homeland security partners to achieve a “safe and secure National Capital Region.”

NORAD Exercise Planned For the National Capital Region, Washington, D.C.

I wanted to make everyone aware of a training exercise going on very early tomorrow morning that may create some noise.  Please take a moment to read the below press release from NORAD and do not be alarmed if you hear very loud, low flying aircraft between 3 - 5 AM tomorrow morning.

-Bill

NORAD exercise planned for Washington, D.C.

Feb. 7, 2012
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The North American Aerospace Defense Command and its geographical component, the Continental United States NORAD Region (CONR), will conduct exercise Falcon Virgo 12-05 Thursday, Feb. 9, from 3-5 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) in the National Capital Region, Washington, D.C.

The exercise is comprised of a series of training flights held in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Capital Region Coordination Center, the Joint Air Defense Operations Center, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard and CONR’s Eastern Air Defense Sector.

Exercise Falcon Virgo is designed to hone NORAD’s intercept and identification operations as well as operationally test the NCR Visual Warning System. Civil Air Patrol aircraft, Air Force F-16s and a U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter will participate in the exercise.

These exercises are carefully planned and closely controlled to ensure CONR’s rapid response capability. NORAD has conducted exercise flights of this nature throughout the U.S. and Canada since the start of Operation Noble Eagle, the command’s response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

In the event of inclement weather, the exercise will take place the following evening. If bad weather continues, officials will then make a decision to postpone or cancel the exercise.

As the Continental United States geographical component of the bi-national command NORAD, CONR provides airspace surveillance and control, and directs air sovereignty activities for the CONUS region. CONR and its assigned Air Force and Army assets throughout the country ensure air safety and security against potential air threats.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, CONR fighters have responded to more than 3,400 possible air threats in the United States and have flown more than 59,000 sorties with the support of Airborne Warning and Control System and air-to-air-refueling aircraft.