Did you know that in 2012, 13,000 citations were issued statewide to people using a hand-held cell phone?  For some, using a cell phone, smart phone, or other electronic device is part of daily life.  We depend on this technology not only for communication, but for a variety of other reasons that make it difficult to put the phone down, even for a short period of time. But there is risk involved with being distracted while you are behind the wheel.

What you need to know

OHS would like to remind you that using a cell-phone or other device while driving is a dangerous and potential deadly combination.

• Nationally, distracted driving is responsible for 3,000 deaths a year.
• 54% of cell phone related crashes in Delaware are caused by a person under the age of 30 (2010-2012).
• Of these motorists under 30, males account for 60% of the crashes and females account for 40%.
• Data shows that cell phone related crashes increase around lunch time and between 1 – 2 am, when bars close.

What you can do

Delaware has a primary law that prohibits ALL drivers from texting, or using handheld cell phones while driving unless they employ a hands-free device.

• Having a “primary law” means that an officer can ticket the driver for the offense without any other traffic violation taking place.
• Since the average fine and court costs total over $100, it is best to turn off the phone and put it away until you have reached your destination. If you need to make a call or send a message, pull off the road to a safe location.
• During a high visibility enforcement and education mobilization in November, 1830 citations were written in a 2-week period of time.

Remember, if you have a cell phone in one hand, you may have a ticket in the other.

Drive Safe.  Arrive Alive DE.

This message is being sent to you from the Office of Highway Safety, who asks you to drive safely at all times.  For more information on this and other traffic safety programs, go to www.ohs.delaware.gov.

(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 9, 2013.  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.

 

Dover- The Delaware State Police and Delaware.gov in conjunction with Delaware Interactive, LLC have just launched a new mobile Tip Line application on both Android and iOS platforms.  Troopers receive crime tips from various sources: email, a toll-free hotline, and an online submission through its website.  The new Mobile Tip Line provides an additional, convenient, method where anyone can submit a crime tip straight from their mobile device.

You can learn more about the DSP by visiting http://dsp.delaware.gov/.  The app is free to both Android and iOS users and available for download at https://delaware.gov/apps/

The DSP Tip Line application provides a mobile solution for accepting crime tips allowing users to report information such as location, activity description, subject description, vehicle description, and even a photograph.  The user also has the option to submit anonymously.  All crime tips are passed directly to the DSP team via an email to preapproved recipients.

Apart from the mobile application, anyone who wishes to submit a tip may do so by calling the toll-free number 800-TIP-3333, emailing the DSP directly at crimestoppers@delaware.gov or by submitting an online form located at https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=346

“The Delaware State Police continue to utilize technology as a force multiplier to combat and solve crime,” said Sergeant Paul G. Shavack, Director of Public Information for the Delaware State Police. “By the use of smart phone technology, we want to make it as easy and convenient as possible to provide anonymous tips on crimes and criminal activity. When the public becomes involved and provides crime tips, it helps keep their communities safe.”

This mobile application responds to the administration’s eGovernment directive for enhanced citizen access.  “We’re committed to creating new and convenient eGovernment tools for Delaware,” said Greg Hughes, Director of the Delaware Government Information Center (GIC), which leads eGovernment efforts in the First State. “Delaware Governor Jack Markell has directed us to look for ways to make government more efficient, effective and open; mobile apps and eGovernment tools like this one will help us meet that goal.”

Dover – Two hundred seventy-one (271) motorists were cited for not buckle up at night during the first seat belt enforcement campaign of 2013. Officers from 6 police departments plus Delaware State Police worked over 421 hours of overtime enforcement looking for unbelted motorists.

During the enforcement period, officers statewide also arrested 1 person for DUI, issued 73 cell phone citations, and cited another 96 drivers for speeding.  Additionally, officers issued 13 citations to drivers for child restraint violations, apprehended 18 wanted persons, made 5 drug arrests, and issued 239 citations for a variety of other traffic violations.

Delaware law requires drivers and all passengers, including those in the back seat, to wear a seat belt.  The lap and shoulder belts must be worn and shoulder belts must not be placed behind the back or under the arm.  An officer can pull over a driver if they see any person in the vehicle not wearing a seat belt, even if there is no other violation.  The next wave of seat belt enforcement will be part of the Click It or Ticket campaign in May.

For more information on seat belt enforcement results and a look at updated campaign materials, please visit www.ohs.delaware.gov, like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE or follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe .

(Smyrna) – Registration is open for the 6th annual Hazardous Materials Training Workshop, to be held on April 5 and 6 at the Delaware State Fire School in Dover.  Law Enforcement officers, EMS, Fire Service, HazMat teams, and other first responders are encouraged to attend the workshop, which will be presented by nationally-recognized trainers and experts.  The event is co-sponsored by the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA).

 

Friday evening’s activities feature a dinner and address, with opening remarks by Delaware Department of Safety & Homeland Security Secretary, Louis Schiliro.  Frank Docimo, a HazMat expert, recently retired from the fire service in Stamford, Connecticut, will be the keynote speaker at the Friday evening dinner.  Mr. Docimo’s will deliver a “State of the HazMat Union Address”, which will summarize the early days of hazmat up to the present, including the effects of funding cuts and a lower number of incidents.

Saturday training sessions are scheduled from 8:30am until 4:15pm, with lunch on-site for participants.  Here is a schedule of training sessions offered on Saturday, April 6^th:

 

8:30-10am SESSION & INSTRUCTOR

*One Pot Meth Lab-A Strategic Approach (Jake Kelton, owner & instructor MERIT Training Programs, LLC)

*Introduction to Radiological Science (Cheryl Weaver-Docimo, 35-year veteran of emergency services)

*Rail Transport HazMat Incident Case Studies (William “Bill” Oertly, Hazardous Materials Compliance Officer-Norfolk Southern Railroad)

*Engine Company Response to HazMat Incidents (Glen D. Rudner, recently retired from Virginia Department of Emergency Management as Hazardous Materials Response Officer)

*Chemical Suicide: Information for Emergency Responders (Deputy Chief Jacob “Jake” Oreshan, III, New York State Office of Fire Prevention & Control)

*Essentials of HazMat Medicine (Dr. David Hostler, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at University of Pittsburgh)

 

10:15-11:45am SESSION & INSTRUCTOR

*One Pot Meth Lab-A Strategic Approach (Jake Kelton, owner & instructor MERIT Training Programs, LLC)

*Radiological PPE, Contamination Survey & Decon Lab (Cheryl Weaver-Docimo, 35-year veteran of emergency services)

*FBI: Improvised Explosives Threat (Tim Petrousky, Special Agent Bomb Technician and HazMat team leader, FBI)

*Engine Company Response to HazMat Incidents (Glen D. Rudner, retired from Virginia Department of Emergency Management as Hazardous Materials Response Officer)

*Chemical Suicide: Information For Emergency Responders (course developed by New York State Office of Fire Prevention & Control)

*Essentials of HazMat Medicine (Dr. David Hostler, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at University of Pittsburgh)

 

8:30-11:45am SESSION & INSTRUCTOR

*Can Your Response Team Use Rapid Risk Assessment Techniques (RRAT)™ 3-hour hands-on session (Frank Docimo, 40-plus year veteran of fire service, recently retired from fire service in Stamford, Connecticut.

*Hospital DECON Part 1 (Part 2 after lunch) (Joe Leonetti, instructor Delaware State Fire School & National Fire Academy)

 

1-4:15pm SESSION & INSTRUCTOR

*Transcaer® HazMat Cargo Tank Anatomy & Emergency Response (Jon Gragg, Northern Regional Manager for Safety and Operations, Dana Transport)

*Radiological Assessment and Mitigation Procedures™ (Cheryl Weaver-Docimo, 35-year veteran of emergency services)

*What Are You Thinking?  (Interactive Tabletop Panel Discussion)

*Grounding and Bonding and Transfer Operations: classroom & hands-on (Glen D. Rudner, recently retired from Virginia Department of Emergency Management as Hazardous Materials Response Officer)

*Explosive Ordnance Devices (Chris Ennis, Delaware State Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team)

*Hospital DECON Part 2 (continues Part 1 that was part of the morning session) (Joe Leonetti, instructor Delaware State Fire School & National Fire Academy)

 

A vendor exhibit hall will also be available on Saturday, as well as a continental breakfast.  There is no cost for the 6^th Annual Hazardous Materials Training Workshop, but pre-registration is required.  Class sizes are limited, so early registration is advised.  To register, contact Lois Mathews at DEMA, 302-659-2225 or email to lois.mathews@delaware.gov.  The Delaware State Fire School is located at 1461 Chestnut Grove Road in Dover.  Visit this website for complete registration information: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/SERC/Pages/What’sNew.aspx

 

The workshop is sponsored jointly by DEMA, State Emergency Response Commission, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), the City of Wilmington, Kent County Levy Court, Sussex County Emergency Operations, Delaware State Fire School, Local Emergency Planning Committee, and Delaware CST.