Three levels of instructions from Jeffco

The three levels of instructions that can be sent are:

       1. Shelter in Place

• There is a hazard in your area, and you should remain or go indoors, not go or stay outdoors, and not evacuate the area. This may be the safest strategy for hazardous materials, law enforcement activity, or other incidents when an evacuation could increase the danger to you.
• PLEASE NOTE: In the event of a wildfire a Shelter in Place instruction WILL NOT be given as there is no place in the Genesee Fire Protection District that is suited to such sheltering, and staying in your home instead of evacuating is not at all safe for you and your family.
• If you cannot leave your home, your survival will depend on how well you have hardened your home and mitigated your property around your home.

       2. Pre-Evacuation

• There is a hazard in your area that may require you to evacuate soon. Everyone should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. If you feel you are in danger and want to leave, do so. If you need additional time to evacuate, you should consider leaving without delay. If you need to arrange for transportation assistance, you should do so immediately.
• Be sure your GO-Bag is ready. Consider collecting other items you want to take with you and load them into your car in anticipation of an order to evacuate.
• Review your emergency evacuation plan and be sure everyone residing in your home is familiar with it. Park your cars facing toward the street with keys in the ignition (if it is safe to do so).

       3. Evacuation*

• There is a hazard in your area, and you have been ordered to evacuate immediately. If you need assistance evacuating, call 911. You will be provided with the safest escape routes known, so make sure you follow the instructions because other routes may be closed or unpassable. You will also be told the location of an evacuation point where you can get updated information about the emergency and the location of an evacuation shelter if you have nowhere else to go.
• DO NOT DELAY – evacuation means you need to leave immediately! You should NOT expect that emergency personnel will rescue you if you ignore the evacuation notice. If you do not evacuate as ordered, assume that YOU WILL BE ON YOUR OWN. Emergency responders will be busy fighting the fire and WILL NOT come to rescue you.
• The Lookout Alert system is geographically targeted. If possible, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office personnel will also knock on doors in the evacuation zone. If you think your home should be included but you didn’t get an alert, err on the side of safety, and evacuate.
• If you are not at home when an evacuation order has been issued, do not assume that you will have access to your home until the evacuation order has been lifted. You should have backup plans in place to evacuate children, the elderly, guests, pets if you are not at home when an emergency is declared.
• Successful evacuation depends on preparation well in advance of an emergency.

*In the event of an evacuation, take your usual route out of Genesee unless Jefferson County sheriffs have instructed you about the specific routes to use. DO NOT choose your own evacuation route – you have no way of knowing if you are putting yourself at greater risk. Using an unimproved trail to exit Genesee puts you in grave danger and may cut you off from communication with emergency personnel.