Delaware to Distribute Potassium Iodide Tablets at Three Locations This Summer

(Smyrna) – The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) will distribute potassium iodide (KI) tablets free of charge on three dates this summer to Delaware residents who live within 10 miles of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations.  KI tablets will be available to those who have received potassium iodide during previous distribution events, and those who have never received potassium iodide. The tablets to be distributed this year will replace the IOSAT 130 mg tablets set to expire beginning September 2014.

The distribution dates and locations are:

  • Thursday, June 5,  3 p.m. – 8 p.m., at Delaware City Fire Company, 815 5th Street, Delaware City
  • Thursday, July 31,  12 noon – 8 p.m., at Volunteer Hose Company, 27 W. Main Street, Middletown
  • Thursday, August 28,  9 a.m. – 4 p.m., at Appoquinimink State Service Center, 122 Silver Lake Road, Middletown

Delaware residents in the Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ), defined as the 10-mile radius around the plant, received notification which was mailed on May 22nd.

KI tablets were supplied to Delaware when the state chose to participate in a program initiated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The tablets are offered to all states with populations living within a 10-mile radius of a nuclear power facility.

Potassium iodide does not protect against external radiation, but it can help protect the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine that may be released in the event of a radiation emergency and could be ingested or inhaled.  Potassium iodide is a supplement to Delaware’s existing emergency plans developed for use in a nuclear incident.  Evacuation remains the primary method of protecting Delaware residents; the potassium iodide offers additional protection.

In the event of a radiation emergency, state and local officials will inform the public through use of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio stations. Information will include directions to evacuation routes and emergency reception centers, and instructions on when to take the potassium iodide tablets.

All Delaware residents who live within the 10-mile EPZ, and those who work or own businesses within 10 miles of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations in New Jersey are eligible for free potassium iodide tablets. They are asked to assist in the distribution efforts by following the guidelines included in the May 22nd informational mailing.

Those eligible for potassium iodide are asked to bring the informational flyer they received in the mail, photo identification such as a driver’s license, or proof of residency, such as a utility bill. Potassium Iodide that has passed the expiration date should be brought when eligible recipients pick up new tablets.

People residing outside of the ten-mile radius of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations and who would like to obtain potassium iodide should contact their pharmacist. Potassium iodide is available over the counter in many local pharmacies.

For additional information regarding the potassium iodide distribution program in Delaware, call the Delaware Emergency Management Agency Radiological Emergency Planning section at 302-659-3362.


Residents Encouraged to Register for “CodeRED”/DENS Emergency Telephone Notification (CORRECTED)

(Smyrna) – In an effort to update and improve the statewide Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS), the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) has contracted with Emergency Communications Network to license its CodeRED high-speed notification solution.  The CodeRED system provides officials in Delaware with the ability to quickly deliver messages to targeted areas of the state,  and will enhance the ability of DEMA to issue DENS notifications quickly and accurately.

The DENS system will be used for messages regarding the safety, property or welfare of the community, and may include AMBER Alerts™, notifications of hazardous traffic or road conditions, boil water advisories or evacuation notices.  CodeRED allows for geographically-based delivery of DENS warnings, thus, street addresses are required to ensure that the proper people receive emergency notification calls in a given situation.  While the system also works with cell phones, street addresses ensure that relevant messages are delivered.  DENS/CodeRED emergency messages will have a Caller ID of 866-419-5000, while general CodeRED messages will have 855-969-4636 as the Caller ID.  It is suggested that individuals and businesses that register should program both numbers into cell phones as “new contacts” using “CodeRED Emergency” and “CodeRED General” as the contact name.  That allows a person to replay the notification message, by dialing the number to hear it again.  CodeRED will leave messages on answering machines or voice mail.  If the line is busy, the system will attempt two more contacts.

CodeRED provides individuals and businesses that want to be included in emergency notifications with an easy and secure method to input information.  While the CodeRED database contains information from public databases, Delaware Emergency Management Agency Director Jamie Turner cautioned that the CodeRED system is only as good as the telephone database supporting it.  “If your telephone number is not in the database,” warns Turner, “your number will not be called.  No one should assume that their number is in the system, so everyone is encouraged to register online or by phone.”

One of the reasons the CodeRED system was selected for the DENS notifications is that it gives individuals and businesses the ability to add their own telephone numbers directly into the system database.  Individuals and businesses should log into DEMA’s homepage at http://dema.delaware.gov and click on the link to the “Delaware Emergency Notification System/CodeRED Community Notification Enrollment” page.

Residents who wish to enroll but do not have internet access may do so by calling 877-SAY-DEMA (877-729-3362). to supply their information over the telephone. Telephone registration is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM.  Information that is required information first and last name, street address (no P.O. box), city or town, state, and Zip Code.  Both primary phone numbers and additional telephone numbers (such as cell phones) can be registered into the system.  Individuals and businesses with unlisted telephone numbers, who have changed either phone numbers or addresses within the past year, or who use a cellular telephone or VoIP phone as their primary number, should enroll.

Director Turner stresses that all data collected will only be used for emergency notification purposes.  No information will be sold, traded, leased, or loaned to any third parties.

CodeRED is a service of Emergency Communications Network of Ormond Beach, Florida. Additional information on the DENS/CodeRED emergency notification system can be obtained by calling 877-SAY-DEMA (877-729-3362). during regular business hours.


Emergency Sirens To Be Tested

(Smyrna) – The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and Delaware State Police will conduct a quarterly test of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations Alert and notification system on Tuesday, April 8, 2014.  Sirens will sound between 5:00pm and 9:00pm.

The 37 sirens located within ten miles of the Salem/Hope Creek (New Jersey) plants will be activated for three to five minutes.  The siren tests will be followed by a test message of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on local radio stations.

Sirens that will be tested are the same sirens that would alert the public in the event of an actual emergency at either the Salem or Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations.  In such an emergency, the public would be alerted by the sirens to tune radios to one of the local EAS stations for important emergency instructions.


Storm Report #3 – Monday March 17 (11:30am)

(Smyrna) – The Winter Storm Warning, issued by the National Weather Service (NWS), will end at 12noon today, March 17th.

State of Delaware offices in Kent and Sussex counties are closed during regular business hours 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Non-essential employees who live or work in Kent or Sussex County were not to report to work for this period. Essential employees were to report as scheduled.

State of Delaware offices in New Castle County opened at 10 a.m. State courts in Delaware followed the same schedules as other state offices, however 24-hour Justice of the Peace Courts are operating with normal schedules.

 The snowfall is tapering off but some areas may continue to see occasional flurries.  However, no additional accumulation is expected.  Snowfall amounts vary, but heavier accumulations occurred in the southern portion of the state.  The Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) lists the highest recorded amount so far in Selbyville where the snow measured 7.4 inches, with a low of 2.8 inches in the Newark area.

 The speed limit on Interstate 495 in New Castle County has been reduced to 55 MPH.  Primary and secondary roads throughout the state are generally reported to be snow covered and slippery.   DelDOT crews are plowing and salting roads, and in some areas sand is being used to augment the salt.

DART Fixed Route service statewide is operating normal schedules. Delays can be expected.  Paratransit is now operating normal service in all three counties.  The SEPTA Wilmington/Newark line is operating normal service.                          

All public schools in Delaware are now closed, along with some private schools.  Delaware State University campuses in Dover and Georgetown were closed for the day, but the Wilmington campus is opening at 12noon and will have evening classes on Monday.  Day and evening classes at the Georgetown and Rehoboth Beach campuses of Wilmington University were cancelled, while other university campuses cancelled daytime classes.  Wilmington University’s website advises that a decision will be made by 2pm regarding nighttime classes.  Wesley College announced on its website that Dover campus activities will begin at 12noon today.  Day and evening classes at the Terry and Owens campuses of Delaware Technical and Community College were cancelled, while the Wilmington/Stanton campus is opening at 12noon.  Goldey-Beacom College opened at 11am.  The University of Delaware Newark campus is operating normal hours, while the Hugh R. Sharp campus in Lewes is closed.  UD Extension offices in Kent and Sussex Counties are closed, as is the Carvel Research and Education Center in Georgetown.


Governor’s Statement on Weather Conditions

State of Delaware Offices in Kent, Sussex Counties Closed, Offices in New Castle County will open at 10 a.m.

(Wilmington) – State of Delaware offices in Kent and Sussex counties are closed during regular business hours 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Non-essential employees who live or work in Kent or Sussex County are not to report to work for this period. Essential employees are to report as scheduled.

State of Delaware offices in New Castle County will open at 10 a.m. Non-essential employees who live or work in New Castle County do not report until 10 a.m. Essential employees are to report as scheduled.

The Governor’s Office released this statement from Governor Markell on weather conditions:

“Heavy snow continues to fall throughout the state and is expected to reduce to flurries later this morning. Significant snowfall totals are expected in Kent and Sussex counties ranging from five to nine inches,” said Governor Markell.  “DelDOT crews are actively working to clear primary roads and will continue to do so. We strongly encourage drivers who do not need to travel to delay or refrain from going on the roads to give DelDOT plows time and ability to work.”

“Expected snowfall totals are not as significant in New Castle County, but we still encourage those traveling in the northern part of the state to use caution and allow extra time to reach their destination today,” Markell said.

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