Health and Safety Podcast (July 3, 2019)
Posted at 3:15 p.m.
On the latest edition of the “Health and Safety” podcast, learn about the importance of emergency supplies for your pet, hurricane season, mosquitoes and the Capital Fortitude emergency exercise and the need for volunteers.
Listen to the Podcast
Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
To listen to other Fairfax County podcasts, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts.
Sign up for emergency alerts from Fairfax Alerts
Enjoy Fireworks Safely this Week
Posted at 11:15 a.m.
According to the National Safety Council, every year fireworks cause on average 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires and nearly 17,000 other fires resulting in thousands of injuries. They advise everyone to stay away from all consumer fireworks and to only enjoy fireworks at a public display conducted by professionals.
Here in Fairfax County, any firework, which explodes, emits a flame or sparks higher than 12 feet, or performs as a projectile is prohibited by the Fairfax County Fire Prevention Code.
Many fireworks are not available in Northern Virginia because they are illegal. Firecrackers, cherry bombs and skyrockets are just a few examples of fireworks that may be purchased in other areas, but are illegal here.
Since even the possession of unapproved fireworks is prohibited in Fairfax County, such fireworks will be confiscated and the person possessing them can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. This carries a maximum penalty of a $2,500 fine and/or one-year in jail.
And according to the county’s Fire and Rescue Department, a permit is required for the sale of all fireworks, and these permits are only valid from June 1 to July 15 of each year.
How to Safely Enjoy Fireworks
Where to Watch Fireworks
Every year in Fairfax County there are several venues where you can safely watch fireworks that are handled by professionals. A couple of these events were held this past weekend, but upcoming on July 4, you can check out the fireworks at Langley High School, 6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean, produced by the McLean Community Center.
When Using Fireworks
Please adhere to the following safety tips:
- When displaying legally purchased, approved fireworks, place them on a flat surface, clear of any combustible material and clear of all buildings.
- Keep all bystanders at least 25 feet away from fireworks.
- Read the directions.
- Do not permit young children to handle or light fireworks.
- Light only one firework at a time.
- Never throw fireworks.
- Sparklers can be very dangerous and account for the majority of injuries. Pieces can break off and burn bystanders.
- Young children should not use sparklers as these can attain a temperature as high as 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
Please have a safe Fourth of July and stay away from dangerous and illegal fireworks. Remember that there are many public displays available that offer a safe way to view fireworks.
For more information, call 703-246-3801, TTY 711.
Business Community Creates the Fairfax County Business Emergency Operations Council
Posted at 9:45 a.m.
The Board of Supervisors will welcome emergency management officials and members of the newly created Fairfax County Business Emergency Operations Council (BEOC) at the Board’s June 25 meeting. The Board will recognize the BEOC for its efforts in making Fairfax County a more resilient community.
The BEOC was created to enable better coordination and collaboration between businesses, with a presence in Fairfax County, and local government officials when preparing for, responding to, and recovering from, disasters or other events with the potential to impact normal operations.
The organization is a consortium of businesses working with Fairfax County Government officials, including the Office of Emergency Management, to enable focused and timely communications and to foster a greater understanding of what it means to be a resilient business in Fairfax County.
Participation in the BEOC is completely voluntary and open to members of the private sector, including large and small businesses, trade associations, universities, think-tanks and nonprofits. During response activities, BEOC members are linked into Fairfax County’s Emergency Operations Center.
Purpose of the BEOC
- Preparation — The BEOC works with Fairfax County on short-term and long-term goals for county preparedness.
- Alert and Notification — The county will alert the BEOC if there is a disruption that requires a response from or action by the BEOC membership.
- Response — Each member of the organization will utilize information from the county in order to activate their own response plan.
- Recovery — The county will coordinate with the council for assistance in post-incident activities. The goal of every business is to prepare for long-term economic recovery.
Emergency management staff and BEOC members will host a signing ceremony in the Government Center Forum at 8:30 a.m. preceding Tuesday’s board recognition.
To get more information or to apply to join the BEOC, visit www.ffxbeoc.org and complete the questionnaire at the bottom of the page.
County Residents May Receive a Wireless Emergency Alerts Message on Saturday, June 22
Posted at 11 a.m.
Will you be on or near the National Mall on Saturday, June 22, between 11 and 11:30 a.m.?
If so, chances are extremely high that you will be part of the District of Columbia’s Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) System test using geo-target capabilities.
Cellphones or other mobile devices on or near the National Mall will receive the following message.
“This is a test of the District of Columbia Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action required.”
Wireless Emergency Alerts trigger a loud noise and text message on cellphones and enabled mobile devices.
D.C. is testing its WEA system in preparation for Independence Day celebrations. The purpose is to evaluate the District’s ability to send emergency information to a targeted geographic area – in this case the National Mall, where most of the July 4 festivities take place.
If a real-world event impacts the WEA test on Saturday, the back-up test date is Sunday, June 23, between 11 and 11:30 a.m.
To learn more about D.C.’s WEA test, contact the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency at 202-727-6161 or visit hsema.dc.gov/DCWEATest.
Sign up for emergency alerts from Fairfax Alerts
Volunteers Needed for Capital Fortitude Exercise
Posted at 12:15 p.m.
Want to see public health emergency response in action and help your community? Then volunteer to participate in Capital Fortitude, a full-scale emergency exercise designed to evaluate the National Capital Region’s ability to dispense medication quickly, with this exercise scenario specifically focusing on an anthrax attack.
Fairfax County Health Department is calling for volunteers on July 19, from 10 a.m. – noon to test a simulated medication dispensing site at Lake Braddock Secondary School, 9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke.
Go to the registration page to sign up. If you have any questions, email Liz Sullivan, Health Department training and exercise coordinator.
NWS Weather Watches, Warnings and Advisories
- Flash Flood Watch issued July 07 at 9:55PM EDT until July 08 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS July 8, 2019...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EDT MONDAY... The Flash Flood Watch continues for * Portions of Maryland, The District of Columbia, Virginia, and West Virginia, including the following areas, in Maryland, Anne Arundel, Carroll, Allegany, Howard, Montgomery, Charles, Frederick, Baltimore, Howard, Prince Georges, and Washington[email protected]
Stay Informed
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency
