Fort Worth Warning Tools Juan Ortiz, EMC Office of Emergency Management

Warning System Outdoor Warning System Nixle (Text & s) Accessible Hazard Alerting System (AHAS) Emergency Alert System (EAS) NOAA Weather Radio Local TV or Radio Station

Sirens Outdoor System –153 sirens –Activated for 180 seconds real events Weekly Testing –First Wednesday 90 Seconds –Other Wednesday 15 Seconds Questions or to report a siren malfunction Call

Outdoor Warning System Criteria Activation from EOC or Fire Dispatch Severe Weather Criteria –Tornado Warnings –Report of Tornado from Reliable Source –Large Hail (One Inch or Larger) –High Wind (60 MPH) Chemical Emergency (IC Request) State or National Emergency

What to do When Sirens Sound? S top I mmediately go indoors R emain Calm E mergency Information -- tune to local news N ow! When the Sirens Sound….. Seek Shelter! Seek Information!

March 20, 2014

Nixle Registration Page

Bus Bench Marketing

How Do We Track the Storm? Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) –500 Plus Members –RACES Radio Net National Weather Service-Fort Worth –Skywarn Local Media Emergency Management Duty Officer

How Does It Work?

Warning Life Cycle

How Should You Prepare? Think Prepare Act

Know Your Hazards Natural Flooding/Flash Flooding Tornado Large Hail Thunder Storms/Lightning Straight-line Winds Winter Weather Extreme Heat Man-Made Chemical Emergency –Fixed Facility –Pipeline Transportation Accident –Rail –Air –Highway Act of Terrorism

In North Central Texas From 1996 To 2005 Events Per Year 9 Tornados 207 Severe Thunderstorms –Large Hail –Damaging Winds 53 Flash Floods

Personal Safety Plan Stay Connected to Emergency Information Identify Safe Place –Home, Work, School Communication Plan Emergency Supply Kit –Vehicle Emergency Supply Kit Shelter-In-Place vs. Evacuation

Emergency Information NOAA Weather Radio –Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) Tarrant County Denton County Parker County Wise County Radio (Battery Operated) Local TV Station Text Service on Cell Phone or Blackberry Internet

Communication Plan Develop Phone List of Key Numbers –Family Members –Friends –Co-workers –Schools Identify Out of Area Contact Carry Phone List Practice Communication Plan

Emergency Kit First Part –Radio (Battery Operated) –Flashlight –Extra Batteries –First Aid Kit –Whistle/Emergency Flag –Local Map –Cash –Identification Second Part –Water –Food –Personal Sanitation Items –Can Opener (Hand Operated) –Dust Mask –Tools (Wrench, Pliers) –Medications –Special Documents

Citizens With Special Needs 14 Day Supply of Medication Support Items in Designated Place Include Care Takers in Planning Process Power-Dependant Life Support Equipment Plan for Alternate Power Special Dietary Needs Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP Mayor’s Committee on Persons With Disabilities Voluntary Program Collects Information on Citizens With Special Needs Information Used During Emergency Conditions Improve Emergency Planning Activities Exploring Additional Citizen Programs

Planning For Pets Pet Food Supply Drinkable Water in Plastic Bottles Pet Medications and Records Sturdy Leash, Harness, Carriers Current Photo of Pet Veterinarian Name and Phone Number Pet Bedding or Toys Identify Pet Shelter

Insurance Maintain Adequate Insurance Check Policy Annually Consider Flood Insurance –National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Identify Phone Number to Report Claims Maintain a Copy in a Safe Place Document Damages Immediately

National Flood Insurance Program Federally Backed Flood Insurance –Homeowners, Renters, and Business Owners Best form of Protection from a Flood Coverage is Relatively Inexpensive Coverage Regardless of Declaration of Federal Disaster

NFIP Continued Flood Insurance is Backed by the Federal Government. Flood Insurance Not Part of Standard Policy Coordinated through Your Local Agent Partial Payment Immediately After a Flood 30 day Waiting Period

Helpful Links Know What 2 Do Campaign – City of Fort Worth – FEMA – NWS-Fort Worth Office –

Questions