Residents are encouraged to brush up on emergency and evacuation preparedness

Contact: Sergeant Tom Speldrich, public information officer – 541-682-4197

Devon Ashbridge, public information officer – 541-682-4526

 

Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Lane County Emergency Management encourage residents, especially those living in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) to brush up on their emergency planning, including understanding evacuation levels and emergency alerting.

“With fires burning in Lane County and around the state, now is a good time to remind people to be proactive about their emergency preparedness,” said Lane County Sheriff Cliff Harrold. “We do not take evacuations lightly in Lane County and only ask people to leave their homes under truly threatening circumstances. We hope that, if notified of an evacuation, everyone is prepared to leave quickly with their loved ones, animals and most critical documents or items.”

 

** Emergency Alerts **

Part of being prepared for an emergency is knowing how you will receive emergency alerts and life safety information.

Some alerting tools do not require residents to sign up proactively; however, there are steps residents can take to increase the likelihood they will receive an alert:

• Keep your mobile phone charged and do not turn it off at night.
• Ensure you have not disabled emergency alerts (sometimes labeled “Government Alerts” or “Amber Alerts” on your phone.
• Purchase a National Weather Service radio that is also enabled to receive local alerts and keep it charged, powered on, and in a place where you will hear it.
• If you have a landline as part of your television and internet bundle be sure to purchase a phone and plug it in – you’re paying for it, might as well use it!

Residents and visitors are also encouraged to sign up for opt-in emergency alerts at https://lanecounty-or.myfreealerts.com.

Responders use several tools to alert residents. Watch the video at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/EmergencyAlerts to learn more about those tools and decide which ones you will rely on in the event of an emergency or disaster.

** Evacuation Levels **

If your home is put under an evacuation notice do you know what that means? There are 3 levels:

• Level 1 (Be Ready)
  • You should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media for information. This is the time for preparation and the precautionary movement of people with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system.
• Level 2 (Be Set)
  • You must be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. This level indicates there is a significant danger to your area. You should either voluntarily relocate outside of the affected area or, if choosing to remain, be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. You mayhave time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at your own risk.
• Level 3 (GO NOW)
  • Leave immediately. Danger to your area is current or imminent and you should evacuate immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be able to assist you further. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home. This will be the last notice you receive. Entry into evacuated areas may be denied until conditions are safe.

Remember to take the 6 Ps when you evacuate:

• People & pets
• Prescriptions
• Papers
• Personal computer
• Pictures
• Plastic (and cash)

Knowing what each level means and being prepared will help keep you and your family safe. Watch the video at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/evacuation to learn more about evacuation levels and download an Evacuation Guide at https://bit.ly/LCEvacuationGuide.

** Pets and Animals **

Don’t forget to include pets in your emergency plans. Learn about caring for pets in a disaster at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/LCAID.

Large animals and livestock require a lot more advance planning in order to safely move them in the event of an evacuation. Read a large animal evacuation guide at https://bit.ly/LCLargeAnimalEvacuation.  

Find more preparedness resources at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/prepare.