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Wildfire
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Lane County Press Release: Emergency and Evacuation Preparedness
Cedar Creek Fire
Publication Type: News 08/13/2022
For Immediate Release 8/11/2022
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!
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 may have 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)
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.