Friday, November 22, 2013

Example of a Preparedness Report You Should Do of Your City/Area

Preparedness Report for La Pine, OR                  Nov 2013

Information/Emergency Contacts:

·         Fire, rescue, medical, crime reporting (emergency only): 911

·         Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (non-emergency): (541) 693-6911

·         Deschutes County Health Department (non-emergency): (541) 322-7400

Common Hazards:

Wildfires: Wildfires make up the number one priority natural hazard for Deschutes County, OR, having a high vulnerability to these circumstances as well as a high probability of occurrence. The path and destructive forces of a wildfire will most often be determined by weather patterns at the time (such as wind direction and speed, level of precipitation and drought prior to a fire, etc.), the terrain (often spreading uphill faster than downhill, as heat rises), and the amount of flammable material near houses (trees, shrubs, dead grass, etc.), as well as the proximity of the houses to one another.

Severe Winter Storms: This county is also classified as having a high vulnerability to winter storms, with a moderate level of probability that these events will happen. Winter storms come with a number of hazards including potential loss of power, limited mobility (for both residents and emergency services), and individual risks such as hypothermia, frostbite, etc.    

Flooding: The third highest priority of natural emergencies is flooding with a moderate vulnerability as well as a moderate probability of these occurrences. Flooding will often be a more significant factor following a wildfire as there will be a lack of living vegetation to absorb the rainfall and reduce the runoff. It may take up to five years following a wildfire for vegetation to grow back to reduce the risk of significant flood.

Emergency Shelters: (Marked on map below)

Though emergency shelters in and around La Pine have not been specified in emergency plans available online, the following are school buildings that may potentially be utilized by emergency management personnel for the public in the event of an emergency: (Please listen to the instructions of the emergency personnel on the radio or on TV as to where you should go in an emergency event and follow their instructions.)

La Pine High School
51633 Coach Rd
La Pine, OR 97739

La Pine Elementary School
51615 Coach Rd
La Pine, OR 97739

La Pine Middle School
16360 First Street
La Pine, OR 97739

Gilchrist Junior/Senior High School (South of La Pine)
201 Mountain View Drive
Gilchrist, OR 97737

Three Rivers Elementary School (North of La Pine)
56900 Enterprise Dr
Sunriver, OR 97707

Likely Evacuation Routes: (Marked on map below)

Route 97 South (or North depending on circumstances), and Route 31 South will likely be used for evacuation. Based on a Forest Fire Evacuation Analysis of Bend, OR, south west and south east of the city of Bend are areas that are more prone to wildfires, and therefore southbound roads may be the best option for residents in La Pine, should a forest fire occur in that area. 


Maps:
City-wide view with potential immediate area emergency shelters and evacuation route:
Legend: Blue lines indicate potential emergency evacuation routes (Route 97 and Route 31)





Wide multi-county view with other nearby potential emergency shelters:



Home and Evacuation Preparedness Measures:

In the event a wildfire occurs, should you have the time and means, EVACUATE if emergency personnel instruct you to do so, or if you feel that you are in danger; however, do NOT try to outrun the fire. Follow the instructions in the Evacuation Guide link provided following this section for various scenarios. Should you not be able to leave your home, shelter in place, but note that this is only a LAST RESORT. Some precautions to take to prepare for, and limit the exposure to wildfire events could include: creating a defensible space around your home of at least 30 feet (meaning keeping flammable materials (such as vegetation, flammable liquids such as gasoline, paints, etc.) away from your home); preparing a 72-hour kit to include items such as flashlights with extra batteries, water (at least one gallon per person), a first aid kit, important documents, clothing for each person, and sleeping bag(s); gain information on specific evacuation procedures, such as for schools, child-care facilities, assisted-living communities, where you can take your pet(s), etc.; keep your vehicle’s gas tank at least half full when wildfires are more likely to occur; and wear protective clothing, such as wool or cotton long sleeve shirts and pants, a hat, gloves, a handkerchief or some other way to protect your nose and mouth, and protective glasses.

Additional Info/Comments:

ALWAYS LISTEN FOR AND FOLLOW EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL, OR TRIBAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES. They will provide you with proper actions to take regarding your specific jurisdiction. According to the Deschutes County Sheriff and other affiliated emergency personnel for the county, “A fire within sight or smell is a threat.” If it is too late to evacuate, stay indoors, and DO NOT go outside until the fire passes.


Sources:
Google Earth



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