​South Bend, Washington – The Pacific County Emergency Management Agency is in the process of updating the Pacific County Hazard Mitigation Plan, first published in 2010. 

PCEMA will lead three public meetings to review and revise the draft update of Pacific County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan.  The hazard mitigation planning process has been guided by BOLDplanning, a consultant, by providing on-site process facilitation, stakeholder outreach, data collection and analysis, plan writing, and through the coordination of strategy development. The mitigation plan addresses Pacific County’s natural hazards, vulnerabilities and complies with state and federal regulations. The meetings will be held as follows:

·        October 8th, 9:00 a.m., Board of County Commissioners Meeting Room, Pacific County Annex, 1216 W Robert Bush Drive, South Bend
·         October 9th, 11:00 a.m., Naselle Timberland Library, 4 Parpala Road, Naselle
·        Pacific County Emergency Management Agency Preparedness Fair, October 10th; 1:00 p.m., Ocean Park School Library, 25701 Vernon Avenue, Ocean Park. 
These meetings are planned with public input in mind. Any questions may be directed to Chief Deputy Stephanie Fritts, sfritts@co.pacific.wa.us or (360) 642/875-9340.

​South Bend, Washington – The Pacific County All Hazard Alert Broadcast (AHAB) outdoor sirens will be tested as part of the Great Washington ShakeOut on Thursday, October 15, 2015, at 10:15 a.m. with the actual tsunami siren tone (a three minute wail). The siren tone will be preceded and followed by a verbal message. The AHAB sirens in Pacific County and the other outer Washington coastal counties are being activated to conduct a true “end-to-end” test of the entire tsunami warning system. The sirens recently installed in South Bend and Raymond will be included in this test. 

This test will help familiarize residents with the sound made by the AHAB sirens during an actual tsunami warning. It will differ from the routine monthly testing that occurs on the first Monday of each month since it will broadcast an audible siren wail tone for the full three minute warning instead of a chime tone. In addition, the voice message will differ from the monthly test.
NOAA weather radios set to receive the required monthly test will also activate during this test.
Pacific County residents are encouraged to participate in the Great Washington ShakeOut by registering at www.shakeout.org/washington/ and by conducting a personal drill such as Drop, Cover, and Hold or an evacuation walk.   

​South Bend, Washington – The Pacific County Emergency Management Agency will be hosting a Preparedness Fair on Saturday October 10th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The fair will take place in the Ocean Park Elementary School Gym. There will be exhibits, demonstrations, and games designed to educate the community on how to prepare for and to survive during and following a disaster.
                                              
The Pacific County Emergency Management Agency will also be hosting a public meeting to share and discuss the draft update of the Pacific County Hazard Mitigation Plan. This meeting will be an important opportunity to see and comment on the proposed updates to the plan, and will take place at 1:00 p.m. at the Ocean Park Elementary School Library. 
Preparedness and planning are two of the most important components in surviving any disaster. Please contact PCEMA Deputy Director Scott McDougall atsmcdougall@co.pacific.wa.us or by calling (360) 642-9338 or 875-9338 for more information.