For winter weather questions, call new Emergency Information Hotline

Brief

It is likely that Northwest residents soon will contend with severe weather conditions. So it's time for faculty and staff to familiarize themselves with the new Emergency Information Hotline, updated daily at 6 a.m. daily. Call (888) 667-2020. Staff should assume the center is open unless the hotlines indicate otherwise.

The policy for the center is to remain open during inclement weather except under the most extreme conditions. But certain "essential-service" areas — such as patient care, maintenance, security and animal-health resources — may have to stay operating even under those circumstances. Essential-service area staff must report to work on regular workdays when the facility is closed. Now is the time for supervisors to discuss these requirements to such staff.

As part of the center's ongoing disaster-recovery planning, the Emergency Information Hotline, previously (206) 667-4000, will be moved off the center's PBX. While the current system has worked well for many years, it is dependent upon the proper operation of the center's telephone switch. A localized disaster (fire, flood, earthquake) that shuts down the center's telephone switch would compromise our ability to use the Emergency Information Hotline just when we needed it most. Moving the hotline off of the center's telephone switch will increase the likelihood that it will be available during adverse circumstances. The new toll-free number, (888) 667-2020 will point to a voicemail system somewhere remote from our region.

Please note this change at home and elsewhere where you might call from to receive the status of Fred Hutchinson in a winter storm or other emergency. Fortunately, if you forget the new number and call (206) 667-4000 (a number we unfortunately could not keep) the announcement will redirect you to the new toll-free number.

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