Emergency Preparedness
When there is an emergency, there may not be enough time to adequately prepare. These do-ahead actions can make a big difference when minutes count:
- Make sure driveway entrances and your house number are clearly marked. Reflective house numbers that are located and angled so they can be seen by approaching emergency vehicles are recommended.
- Know where your gas, electric and water main shut-off controls are and how to use them.
- Have a 72-hour GO Bag packed and easily accessible. Check the contents yearly and replace items that have expired. It is recommended that there be one for each family member.
- Create a family communication plan, including a meeting place should an evacuation become necessary. Establish a contact point from which to communicate with each other and concerned relatives.
- Talk to your neighbors about safety concerns and how the neighborhood could work together before and during a community or personal emergency. This could include help with pets, children or disabled or elderly family members.
- Sign up for Lookout Alert, the reverse 911 system used to contact residents if a dangerous situation or emergency exists, including an evacuation. Your landline is automatically registered unless it is VoIP. You can also register cell phones and email addresses.
- Know how to get up-to-date, reliable information about an ongoing emergency. Do not call the Foundation office or fire department. Posts on social media, other than from the Jefferson County sheriff’s office, may not be accurate. Include the sheriff’s office emergency blog in your browser’s favorites list for ready access. The blog is only activated during an emergency, but you will find a link to the sheriff’s office Twitter account that may have the information you are looking for. There are also radio stations and blogs that often have good information.
- Because wildfire emergencies are a particular concern in Genesee, see a list of recommended advance actions to be prepared for a possible evacuation due to wildfire.
Additional Resources
- Jefferson County Emergency Preparedness Guide has practical information about how families can prepare for most emergencies, such as floods, weather events (including extreme cold and heat), fire, wildfire, hazardous material incidents, national security and bomb threats, and chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attacks.
- The Department of Homeland Security provides pertinent information about what to do in case of wildfire, home fire, hazardous weather, cybersecurity, an active shooter situation and more.
- Colorado State University Extension has an informative video presentation titled Evacuation Preparedness and Animal Evacuation (1 hr 29 min).
- American Veterinary Medical Association: Saving the Whole Family. Disaster Preparedness
- Genesee Fire Protection District
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