Montesano, WA - The Grays Harbor County Emergency Management Agency would like to advise all citizens to become PRO-ACTIVE and prepare for the approaching fall and winter storm seasons. Essential preparation issues include:

1)     Obtain an All Hazard Weather Radio, program it to the proper frequency and change the batteries in it every time we change the clocks. (next time change is Nov. 1^st)

2)    Sign up for the Grays Harbor County Notification System (You’ll receive a text message, phone call and an e-mail with information about any weather or disaster related issue)

3)    Find out where the closest shelter is located and practice moving to that shelter with your entire family.

4)    All members of your family should have a person to call outside of Grays Harbor County to inform of their situation in the event they are separated from your family during an emergency or weather situation.

5)    Prepare a GO-KIT backpack with:  ** These are minimal amounts **

a)      an AM/FM battery operated portable radio

b)    Flashlight

c)     1- 2 bottles of water for each person and for each pet in the household.

d)    Matches in a waterproof container (plastic bag)

e)     Snack bars for your family and a small plastic bag of food for each pet

f)      Pocket knife

g)     A sweatshirt or light jacket for each member

h)    Disposable rain poncho for each member of your family

i)       Hand warmer packets

j)       Package of sanitary wipes

For more information on becoming PRO-ACTIVE and to sign up for the Grays Harbor County Notification System, please go to the Grays Harbor County Emergency Management website at: http://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/info/DEM/Index.asp or call (360) 249-3911.

Washington State - On September 15, 2010 shortly after 10:15 a.m. the All Hazard Alert Broadcast (AHAB) sirens will be tested sounding both the standard test message and the actual warning tone. The AHAB sirens in other outer Washington coastal counties are being activated to conduct a true "end-to-end" test of the entire tsunami warning system.

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 instead of a chime tone; however, the voice message will be exactly the same as the routine test message.

NOAA weather radios set to receive the required monthly test will also activate during this test.

This event is a key element in the Weather Radio Awareness Month campaign in Washington State as well as National Preparedness Month and earthquake and tsunami education efforts.

Montesano, WA - The Washington State Emergency Management Division will conduct the monthly Statewide AHAB (All Hazard Alert Broadcast) Siren test on Monday, September 06, 2010.

Grays Harbor County AHAB sirens are located in Pacific Beach, Copalis Beach, Ocean City, Ocean Shores, Hoquiam, Aberdeen, Moclips, Westport and Grayland. All Grays Harbor County sirens will be included in the test beginning at noon.

AHAB sirens have a range of about one mile in radius depending on topography and weather. The activation will be Westminster Chimes followed by a test voice message. THE AHAB SIRENS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE NOTIFICATION TO CITIZENS AND VISITORS WHO ARE OUTDOORS ONLY! For information and alerts while in your home or business, residents and businesses located within a tsunami inundation area are encouraged to purchase and maintain a working NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio.

Please DO NOT call 911 regarding this testing. If you have any questions or reports regarding the test, please contact Grays Harbor County Emergency Management at 360-249-3911 or ghcdem@co.grays-harbor.wa.us.

Aberdeen, WA - The EEOC Charges that Grays Harbor Community Hospital violated federal law when it failed to stop a supervisor's continuous sexual harassment of several female employees, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit filed today.

According to the EEOC, employee Jamie Toste repeatedly informed upper-level management that a supervising pharmacist was sexually harassing her and several other pharmacy technicians. He started harassing Toste in 2004 when they were both working the evening shift, the EEOC said. The harassment included offensive sexual comments, unsolicited discussion of his sex life and habits, showing explicit material from the Internet, and physically intrusive behavior such as approaching Toste from behind to whisper in her ear, blocking her pathway, and rubbing her back, legs and arms. The agency's investigation showed that his harassment of Toste escalated during 2006 and 2007, and that she felt compelled to resign after the hospital repeatedly failed to take effective corrective action to address her concerns about her safety.

Community Hospital was unavailable for comment at the time of this report.

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