Other Emergencies

Pandemics

A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population, begins to cause serious illness and then easily spreads person-to-person worldwide. During a pandemic, social isolation should be practiced. Always follow the directions of local authorities during and after a pandemic.

Fire

If you live near wildland areas, there is a threat of wildland fires affecting you and your home, as dry conditions at various times of the year greatly increase the potential for wildland fires.

Advance planning and knowing how to protect buildings in these areas can lessen the devastation of a wildland fire. Protecting your home from wildfire is your responsibility. To reduce the risk, you’ll need to consider the fire resistance of your home, the topography of your property and the nature of the vegetation close by.

Hazardous Materials

If there were a chemical emergency near your home, would you know what to do? The following information will help you be better prepared.

In the event of a chemical emergency that threatens your area, you will be notified of the incident in at least one of the following ways:

A telephone call through an emergency telephone notification system. You will receive a recorded message that will give you some instructions on what to do.
A law enforcement officer or fire truck using a public address system to warn you of the danger and provide instruction of what to do.
A law enforcement officer or firefighter going door- to-door to notify residents of the danger and provide some instructions on what to do.
Through the Emergency Alert System (EAS) formerly called the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS).
Depending on the situation, it may be necessary for you to evacuate during a chemical emergency. In many cases however, you may be requested to “shelter in place.”

Terrorism

The Department of Homeland Security nationwide public awareness campaign If You See Something, Say Something is to raise awareness to the indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime and to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement authorities.

Insect & Pesticide Safety

You should always be alert for insects, especially when spending time outdoors. Insects such as ticks and mosquitoes are known to carry diseases. To protect yourself and others, follow these tips:

Nuclear Explosions

Nuclear explosions can cause significant damage and casualties from blast, heat and radiation, but you can keep your family safe by knowing what to do and being prepared if it occurs.

Active Shooter

An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area.In most cases, active shooters use firearms, and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims. Because active shooter situations are often over within 10-15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without warning. Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and planning in advance can reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from an earthquake.

Water Safety

Tragic water accidents happen quickly. The most common reason for aquatic mishaps is a lack of safety knowledge. While enjoying the beach or a pool, please follow these simple, life-saving tips: