In response to a question about Yelm’s Emergency Plan posed to Yelm Police Chief Todd Stancil,
here is his unabridged response;

“Since we last spoke [Dec., 2005] about the City of Yelm’s Plan our Emergency Management Board here in Yelm has made strides in informing our public and reaching out to vulnerable citizens. We have had articles in the NVN regarding emergencies, been involved in community functions where an emergency management booth has been set up and occupied by board members to provide information, Made contact and now have a list of highly vulnerable citizens within and just outside our city limits that will be checked on in times of emergency, conducted a mock exercise with all emergency responders and public officials. We are working with Thurston County to set up a CERT training once the new public safety building opens in late March. CERT is Community Emergency Response Team.

This summer we will incorporate the message when we visit homeowner association groups with our newly created Crime Prevention Officer position and provide pamphlets created by the City regarding Emergency
Management. Also this spring I will accompany Mayor Harding as we go door to door and business to business speaking with them and providing information on emergency preparedness and other matters.”

And, here is an update on the Public Safety Building from the NVN,
“The new building, planned since the beginning of 2007, is nearing the finishing stages, including finishing the electrical wiring, molding and flooring.

The building is divided between Municipal Court and the police department and will include court chambers and a training/emergency operation center room for meetings and classes.”

Further, Bruce Smith reports in the Eatonville Dispatch this week that “Graham Fire and Rescue, recently gave the Graham Business Association a presentation titled: “All-Hazards Preparedness for Businesses.”

This is a very informative and thorough story for all, as Pierce County and Graham lead the way in the South Sound on emergency preparedness and informing their constituents.

HATS OFF TO YELM POLICE AND GRAHAM FIRE AND RESCUE FOR THEIR EFFORTS AND WORK ON BEHALF OF THEIR CITIZENS!