International Private Flyers Advisory Bellingham, WA Airport (BLI) Temporary Closure

 

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is advising private flyers that the Port of Bellingham will undertake a complete runway closure at the Bellingham International Airport (BLI) from 11:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 31  to 5:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 22.  The airport will be undergoing runway resurfacing and upgrades during the closure period.  BLI will remain open to helicopter traffic.

General Aviation Aircraft (GAA) arriving from Canada will need to report to CBP for clearance at alternative area international airports.  Private flyers are reminded that CBP advance notification/reporting requirements remain in effect during this period at any international airport, including advance passenger and pilot information on GAA entering and departing the United States.  Filing of manifest data can be done through the Electronic Advanced Passenger Information System (eAPIS) or an approved alternate system.

Upon completion of the work at Bellingham, CBP will resume clearance of private aircraft arriving from Canada at BLI on September 22, 2010.

Teen immunization rates improve in Washington

More work needed to ensure community protection

OLYMPIA : Teen immunization rates are up across the board with Washington at or above the national average in some key categories, according to a new survey.

The second year of state teen data from the National Immunization Survey shows improvement for every vaccine. The survey included adolescents 13 to 17 years old. Our state met or exceeded the national average for newer immunizations recommended for teens that protect against human papillomavirus (HPV), whooping cough (pertussis), and meningococcal disease.

Teen immunization rates for at least one dose of HPV vaccine rose from 46.5 percent to 60.0 percent in Washington. The national average is 44.3 percent. The state rate for whooping cough vaccination also increased from 34.7 percent to 60.1 percent, compared to the national average of 55.6 percent.

“We’re encouraged. This shows that the hard work of public health and health care providers to educate parents and teens is paying off,” said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. “Teens don’t visit health care providers regularly like young children do, and many people don’t realize that teens need immunizations to stay healthy just like children and infants.”

This is only the second year of state data for teen rates. Washington still has a way to go to reach the federal 90 percent goal. Making sure teens’ immunizations are up-to-date benefits the teens and helps protect the whole community. Unprotected teens can spread diseases to friends and family members who aren’t fully protected. Some diseases like chickenpox are more dangerous for teens than they are for young children. The current whooping cough epidemic in California shows the importance of making sure teens get their booster dose of whooping cough vaccine.

Parents should make sure to schedule a well-child check-up at age 11 or 12. They should also get their teens immunized when they see their health care provider for sports physicals, injuries, and mild illnesses. Teens may have to provide their immunization record to attend school or college, join the military, or travel abroad.

The rates also show the diligent work of many groups to be sure all children and teens continued to have access to vaccine during the changes to the state Childhood Vaccine Program. The program buys vaccine for all kids in the state and temporarily stopped providing HPV vaccine for some children due to state budget cuts. New funding to the state from health plans closed the gap and since May 1, all kids age 11-18 can once again get HPV vaccine from the state program, along with all other vaccines.

The National Immunization Survey data estimates how many teens received six recommended vaccines. Three of these are newer vaccines recommended to be given at age 11 or 12 years: the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap), the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV), and the HPV vaccine. The survey also covers three routine childhood vaccines: measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR); hepatitis B vaccine; and chickenpox (varicella) vaccine.

Parents are urged to use their regular health care providers for teen immunizations. For help finding a health care provider or an immunization clinic, call the local health agency (www.doh.wa.gov/LHJMap/LHJMap.htm) in your area or the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588

More information on teen immunizations is available on the Department of Health Immunization Program Web site (http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/immunization/adolescent-facts.htm/). Information about the National Immunization Teen-survey data is available as well (http://www.cdc.gov/nis/about_nis.htm#nis_teen).

Contacts:
Michele Roberts, Immunization Program CHILD Profile 360-236-3720
Gordon MacCracken, Communications Office 360-236-4072

 

September is National Preparedness Month and NOAA Weather Radio Month

Camp Murray, Wash. – September 2010 will be National Preparedness and NOAA Weather Radio Awareness Month in Washington. Special events are scheduled to enable residents across the state to participate in the month-long observance which is designed to focus individuals and businesses on preparing for disasters and emergencies.

These events include:

•  A statewide Drop, Cover and Hold earthquake drill at 10:15 a.m. on Sept. 15. The drill will be initiated through the Emergency Alert System using the Required Monthly Test for broadcasters.
• A Sept. 15 Tsunami Warning Communications Test for the All Hazard Alert Broadcast sirens in outer coastal counties. This test will coincide with the statewide earthquake drill and will activate warning sirens in 40 locations in Pacific, Grays Harbor, Jefferson and Clallam counties. The sirens will play a wail sound, rather than the standard chimes.
•  The launch of the new “Help 9-1-1, Help You! What’s Your Location”campaign to remind residents and children of the importance of knowing their address and location when they call 9-1-1. Sept. 11 is the national 9-1-1 Day,

“Citizens, companies and governments agencies should review individual preparedness plans, contact information, and emergency kits” so they can be ready in the event of an emergency,said Gov. Chris Gregoire. These actions should enable citizens “to be self-sufficient for a minimum of three days following an act of terrorism, natural or man-made disasters.”

Preparedness month information materials, including Drop, Cover, Hold drill instructions and 72-hour comfort kit fact sheets, are available at the new Whatcom Unified Emergency Management web site at http://www.whatcomready.org

A NOAA Weather Radio is an important preparedness tool for homes, businesses,government offices and schools. The radios are personal all-hazard warning systems. They help protect lives and property with a warning alarm feature that activates for immediate life-threatening events such as windstorms, tsunamis and hazardous materials releases. The goal of the Weather Radio campaign is to make All-Hazard Weather Radios as common and necessary as smoke detectors in the home, workplace and classroom.For more information about NOAA Weather radios consumer incentives and other special events around Washington during September, visit http://www.emd.wa.gov

The Whatcom County Sheriffs Office Division of Emergency Management will be at Whatcom County grocery stores during the month of September distributing preparedness information and talking with citizens about being prepared for flooding,winter storms and potential disasters.

Whatcom County Sheriff Announces Promotions

Sheriff Bill Elfo announced the promotion of two long-time members of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office to key positions in the organization.  Sergeant Kevin Hester was promoted to patrol lieutenant and Deputy Bethany Larson was promoted to patrol sergeant.

Lieutenant Hester began his career with the Sheriff’s Office in 1990 and has served in a variety of patrol and investigative assignments.  He formerly commanded the Northwest Regional Drug Task Force.  Sergeant Larson began her career with the Sheriff’s Office in 1995 and has severed as a patrol deputy and detective.  Sergeant Larson is the first female deputy to advance to the rank of sergeant in the Sheriff’s Office Bureau Law Enforcement and Investigative Services.  Both Lieutenant Hester and Sergeant Larson have received numerous commendations and have consistently excelled in the performance of their duties.

The patrol lieutenant’s position was “frozen” following promotions that occurred as the result of Undersheriff Carey James’ retirement last November.   County Executive Kremen exempted the position from the “freeze” after reviewing the critical nature of the position and emerging trends in the community.  

Sheriff Elfo said: “The Sheriff’s Office is challenged to fulfill its responsibility of protecting the community in light of escalating violence and diminishing resources resulting from economic conditions.  Last year, we reduced our budget by nearly $340,000.  Further reductions were achieved when the Corrections Deputies bargaining unit agreed to forego salary increases.   In the first quarter of 2010, the sheriff's office absorbed a $56,000 budget reduction. We have presented a budget for 2011-2012 with over $900,000 in proposed reductions and anticipate realigning duties to focus on our core mission of suppressing crime and providing emergency services.   These patrol positions are critical to the fulfillment of that mission.”

Contact:

Sheriff Bill Elfo (360) 676-6650

Southbound I-5 reopened in Blaine after bridge work

BLAINE – Southbound I-5 at D Street in Blaine reopened Tuesday night, Aug. 24, after two weeks of construction on the roadway to give drivers a smoother ride.

Work began Aug. 9 and was originally expected to last 12 days. However, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) discovered problems beneath the roadway that required more work and time to repair than anticipated. Fortunately the weather cooperated and crews reopened I-5 on Tuesday night after paving work was completed.

The bridge work is a continuation of the $2.8 million project that recently added two new roundabouts at the I-5/D Street interchange. The work is fully funded by the federal government and complements improvements the General Service Administration made at the I-5, Peace Arch border crossing.

For more project details, visit the Web page http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/blaineinterchange/.

 Contact:  Dave Chesson, Communications, 360-757-5970

WSDOT hires contractor to improve I-5 ramps in Bellingham

BELLINGHAM - The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)recently hired a contractor to improve I-5 on-ramps in Bellingham and make it easier for drivers to safely merge with traffic and ease congestion through the city.

WSDOT awarded the contract to Vetch Construction LLC of Camano Island for their low bid of $4.4 million - $1.5 million less than WSDOT's estimate for construction. This project is primarily funded by the 2005 Transportation Partnership Account gas tax passed by the Legislature.

"There's a lot of congestion at the ramps when traffic merges onto the interstate, which causes slowdowns and collisions," said planning and operations manager Todd Carlson. "Improving and lengthening the ramps will help keep traffic moving more smoothly and reduce collisions."

Crews will improve and extend the northbound Samish Way on-ramp,northbound Iowa Street on-ramp, southbound Sunset Drive on-ramp and the southbound Lakeway Drive on-ramp.

Construction could begin as early as this September, weather permitting,and will wrap up in summer 2011. Crews will close I-5 lanes and ramps at night during the work. Construction and lane closure information will be available on the project website <http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/BellinghamOnOffRamps/>  and distributed in weekly e-mail updates <http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/emailupdates> .

Carlson said many of the needed improvements on I-5 in Bellingham are costly and will require hundreds of millions of dollars to construct.Less expensive improvements, such as lengthening ramps without completely rebuilding interchanges, provide travelers with immediate benefits. They also serve as building blocks for future improvements, as
funding becomes available.

Engineers used collision data and cost estimates to select specific ramp improvements that will maximize benefits for the downtown corridor with the funds available.