Emergency Preparedness

How Prepared Are We for a Major Disaster?

Visions of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, and more recently Harvey and Irma, come to mind accompanied by the many unmet challenges played out on our TV screens and in our newspapers on a regular basis.

While this part of the country is not known for hurricanes, wildfires, or landslides, it is prone to tornadoes and major winter storms, and at risk for earthquakes not to mention the increasing potential for terrorism not just here but throughout the country. How well prepared can we be for any one of these incidents? Find out how you can be best prepared through the recommendations on this page.

Mutual Aid Agreements

Mutual Aid agreements are in place with local and state agencies through MABAS which provides for additional resource sharing should the need arise.

  1. Home Fires
  2. Cooking
  3. Smoking
  4. Electrical Appliances 
  5. Portable Space Heaters
  6. Fireplaces & Wood Stoves

Kitchens & Common Fire Spots

Most home fires occur in the kitchen while cooking and are the leading cause of injuries from fire. Common causes of fires at night are carelessly discarded cigarettes, unattended candles, sparks from fireplaces without spark screens or glass doors, and heating appliances left too close to furniture or other combustibles. These fires can be particularly dangerous because they may smolder for a long period before being discovered by sleeping residents.

Prevention Tips

Home fires are preventable. Here are some recommended tips:

  • Avoid using lighted candles.
  • Never use the range or oven to heat your home.
  • Replace mattresses made before the 2007 Federal Mattress Flammability Standard. Mattresses made since then are required by law to be safer.
  • Keep combustible and flammable liquids away from heat sources.
  • Portable generators should never be used indoors and should only be refueled outdoors or in well ventilated areas.