Pierce County Emergency ManagementReport Damages By Calling 866-798-6363
The Pierce County Emergency Operations Center will begin today collecting damage information from homeowners and business owners affected by this week’s winter storm. Residents and business owners in Pierce County that suffered damage should call the Pierce County Damage Assessment Center at 1-866-798-6363 (toll free) Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Callers hsould have the following information available:

  • Name and address of affected property
  • Contact information (cell phone, relatives phone number, “new” mailing address)
  • Type of insurance (homeowners)
  • A description of damage, even if uninsured
  • A personal estimate of uninsured losses
  • Estimates of the fair market value of the damaged home or business (it is not necessary at this point for property owners to have a contractor’s estimate)

The findings from this assessment will be used by the Governor to request a possible disaster declaration and federal disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This process could take up to a couple of weeks or more. FEMA disaster assistance, if and when it becomes available, only covers uninsured losses.

Among the immediate steps that individuals and families should take include:

  • Call your insurance agent to check on your coverage
  • Keep detailed records of all clean-up and repair costs, including photographs
  • When the time comes to make repairs, be aware of local permit requirements and do a thorough check of potential contractors

Visit Pierce County’s Blog for up to date emergency information:
http://blog.piercecountywa.org/emergency/


Tacoma - Pierce County Health DepartmentAdvisory Issued for People Using Home Medical Equipment
TACOMA, Wash., January 19, 2012 – The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has issued an advisory for people using medical equipment at home. Because of the power outages around the county, some residents who use home medical equipment may need assistance if the batteries or other power source run low. If this occurs, people should seek assistance from one of the following resources:

Tacoma residents—call (253)973-0051 for assistance from the City of Tacoma (available day and night)

The following shelters will be open overnight:

  • Bonney Lake—Bonney Lake Senior Center at 19304 Bonney Lake Boulevard (overnight warming center)
  • Buckley—Buckley Hall at 127 N. River Road
  • Gig Harbor—Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church at 7700 Skansie Avenue
  • Puyallup—Nazarene Church at 1026 7th Avenue SW

The following warming centers are open during the daytime:

  • Lakewood—Lakewood Community Center at 9112 Lakewood Drive SW (only open during the day)
  • Lakewood—Lakewood Community Center at 9112 Lakewood Drive SW (only open during the day)
  • Sumner—Calvary Community Church at 15116 Gary Street (open until 9 p.m. and re-opening in the morning)

Examples of home medical equipment include any equipment needing charged batteries.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s mission is to safeguard and enhance the health of the communities of Pierce County. As part of its mission, the Health Department tackles known and emerging health risks through policy, programs and treatment in order to protect public health. Learn more at www.tpchd.org.


Pierce County Emergency ManagementCarbon Monoxide Poisoning Poses Danger
As power outages and falling temperatures continue in Pierce County, the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning increases. Carbon monoxide is caused by burning almost anything inside your house. It is a colorless, odorless gas which can go undetected until it is too late. It is important to be aware of the risk of serious injury or possible death from carbon monoxide poisoning. If your home is without power, consider going to a family or friends house, the mall, movie theater, or even a warming center.

To avoid potential carbon monoxide poisoning, follow these tips:

  • DO NOT burn charcoal inside homes, tents, campers, vans, trucks, garages, or mobile homes.
  • DO NOT burn charcoal in the fireplace in your home.
  • DO NOT use any gasoline-powered equipment indoors.
  • DO NOT use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time.
  • DO NOT idle a car in a garage, even when the garage door is open.
  • DO NOT sleep in a room while using an unvented kerosene heater.

Always DO these things:

  • Make sure that chimneys and flues are in good condition and are not blocked.
  • Have oil and gas appliances, fireplaces and wood stoves checked every year by a trained professional.
  • Every home should have a battery operated carbon monoxide alarm, but this should not replace the other prevention steps.

What should you do if you think someone has been poisoned by carbon monoxide:

  • Move the person to a place with fresh air immediately.
  • Call 911 if the person has lost consciousness (fainted or passed out).
  • If the person did not lose consciousness take the person to an emergency room and tell them that you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.

Additional information can be viewed on the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department website in English, Spanish, Russian, Korean, and Vietnamese.

The find the nearest community shelter contact Pierce County Emergency Management at 253-798-7470, or visit http://blog.piercecountywa.org/emergency/.


GF&R LogoHave We Visited You?
When you see one of our teams or vehicles out in the community, you'll see our values and promises printed on the side the apparatus: Professional, Accountable, Caring. Stated in those promises is our drive to be Accountable. If we have visited you, we want to know about it!

Below is a clickable link that will open a new email to your Deputy Fire Chief with your regular email program (such as Outlook or Thunderbird). Alternatively, you can simply email us at administration@grahamfire.org.

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