BE PREPARED

ClackCo Public Alerts Notification System   http://www.Clackamas.us>publicalerts.  Sign up to receive critical emergency messaging via email, phone call, and text during times of disasters.

Example scenarios:    

  • Fire/wildfire – prepare to evacuate or evacuate area
  • Active police incident in neighborhood – typically shelter in place or avoid the area until incident is resolved
  • Missing endangered person that may be lost in area near residence
  • Gas leak – evacuation of area

When to call 9-1-1   (for non-emergencies, call 503-655-8211)

Emergency calls may include reports of:

  • Any emergency where life or property is in immediate danger
  • An injury requiring immediate medical attention
  • A fire (not a controlled burn pile or other controlled fire)
  • A crime in progress
  • A serious traffic accident
  • A violent dog has attacked a person (not just running at large)
  • A driver is dangerously swerving on the road
  • Someone is playing with guns

Communication Plan for Families (Source: Clackamas County Fire District #1)

“Communication networks such as mobile phones and computers, could be unreliable during disasters, and electricity could be disrupted.

  • Have an out-of-state contact if local service is challenged.  If all else fails, try texting.
  • Make sure each family member has a copy of the important phone numbers in their backpack, purse, wallet, car glove compartment, emergency kit, etc.
  • Family members should have each other’s phone numbers and include numbers of important people/offices, medical facilities, doctors, schools, and service providers.
  • Print numbers on wallet-sized cards for family members, and post a copy in your home – refrigerator or bulletin board.

Creating an Emergency Plan

  • Assemble an emergency supply kit and place it in a safe spot.  Before leaving your home, remember to include important documents, medications, and personal identification.
  • Develop an emergency evacuation plan and practice it with everyone in your home.
  • Plan two ways out of your neighborhood and designate a meeting place.
  • Make sure your house number can be seen from the street.  If you need help, emergency responders will be able to find you.
  • Develop a plan for relocating livestock.

Creating an Emergency Supply Kit (Source: Clackamas County Fire District #1)

  • First aid, prescription medications, and glasses.
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
  • Family communication plan and important phone numbers, insurance information and important documents
  • Local map (include evacuation route, if possible.)
  • Cell phones and chargers (and power banks, if possible)
  • Personal hygiene items
  • 3 gallons of water per person (this is a 3-day supply)
  • Non-perishable food (3-day supply)

Clackamas County Dog Services  http://www.dogcontrol@clackamas.us 503-655-8628

Fire – Clackamas Fire District 1, Station 11  http://www.clackamasfire.com/fire-stations/station-11-redland 

18265 S Redland Rd, Oregon City, OR

Emergency: dial 9-1-1

Non-emergency: 503-742-2611

Daily burn information: 503-742-2945. Backyard burning, only wooded vegetation, no lumber.  Piles no larger than 10'x10'x10'.

For burn permits: email http://www.clackamasfire.com/fire-stations/station-11-redland 

High Temperature Preparedness – Cooling Centers, call 211 or 1-866-698-6155, http://help@21info.org

  • Dress light
  • Stay cool with air conditioning, swamp cooler, or fan
  • Eat light, avoid hot meals
  • Learn how to recognize and treat heat-related illnesses
  • Use sunscreen SPF 15+ if outside
  • Never leave infants, children, or pets in parked cars
  • Stay hydrated with liquids, avoid drinks with sugar or alcohol
  • Cool down with shower or bath
  • Check on your neighbors and see if they need assistance!

Police

Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. 503-723-4949 http://www.clackamas.us/sheriff/contact.html

Oregon State Police non-emergency – Dial *OSP (star 677) from your mobile phone

Mental Health Crisis and Suicide Prevention

24/7 Crisis and support line: 503-655-8585

Non-Emergency: 503-742-5335

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 899

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)  24/7 hot line: 1-800-843-5678

Severe Storms

  • Follow your emergency plan ahead of a severe weather event with emergency kit, and evacuation plan for you and your pets.
  • Unplug appliances and other electrical items such as computers and televisions to prevent damage from surges caused by lightning strikes. 
  • If you do not have to evacuate, have reserves of water, food, flashlights, and batteries. Never use candles. 
  • Generators should be used outdoors, keeping them away from windows and doors. 
  • Stay away from downed wires, and report downed wires to Portland General Electric (503-464-7777). 
  • Be ready if the heat stops working using extra layers of clothes and blankets. 
  • Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room, and turn them off when you go to bed.
  • Check on your neighbors and see if they need assistance!

Wildfire Preparedness

  • See “Creating an Emergency Plan”
  • Emergency access to your home: driveways at least 12 feet wide with vertical clearance of 15 feet.
  • Limit amount of flammable vegetation up to 100 feet from your home.
  • Trim branches that overhang the home, porch, and deck and prune branches of large trees up to 6 to 10 feet from the ground.
  • In “immediate zone” of 5 feet around the house, use crushed stone or gravel instead of flammable mulches.
  • Roof and attic vents should be screened to prevent ember entry.  Class A fire rated roofing products (shingles, metal, concrete, and clay tiles) offer the best protection.
  • Don’t store flammable materials underneath decks or porches.
  • Use fire resistant siding such as brick, fiber-cement, plaster, or stucco, and use dual-pane glass windows.
  • Conduct an annual insurance policy checkup to adjust for local building costs, codes, and new renovations.
  • Create or update a home inventory to help settle claims faster.

Wildfire Evacuation Levels in Oregon

Level 1 means “BE READY” for potential evacuations. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services, websites, and local media outlets for information.

Level 2 means “BE SET” to evacuate

Level 3 means “GO”, evacuate now.

Wildfire in Your Area

  • Get your family, home, and pets prepared to evacuate
  • Place your emergency supply kit and other valuables in your vehicle
  • Stay aware of the latest news and updates from your local media and fire department
  • Connect garden hoses and fill any pools, hot tubs, garbage cans, tubs, water troughs, or other large containers with water.  Firefighters have been known to use the hoses to put out fires on rooftops
  • Move patio or deck furniture, cushions, door mats, and potted plants in wooden containers either indoors or as far away from the home, shed, garage, and outbuildings as possible
  • Close and protect your home’s openings, including attic and basement doors and vents, windows, garage doors and pet doors to prevent embers from penetrating your home
  • Leave as early as possible, before you’re told to evacuate. Do not linger once evacuation orders have been given.  Promptly leaving your home and neighborhood clears roads for firefighters to get equipment in place to fight the fire, and helps ensure residents’ safety.
  • Check on your neighbors and see if they need assistance!

Winter Freeze Preparedness

  • Furnace should be serviced at least once a year
  • Chimneys and vents cleaned and inspected at least once a year
  • Wood for fireplace or wood stove is dry, seasoned wood
  • Fireplace screen is metal or heat-tempered glass and fits fireplace opening
  • Covered metal container for disposing cooled ashes. Ash container kept at least 10 feet from the home and nearby buildings
  • Educate children to stay at least 3 feet away from fireplace, wood/pellet stove, or other heaters
  • Portable space heaters should have automatic shut-off
  • Portable space heaters plugged directly into an outlet (not an extension cord) and at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn
  • Test smoke alarms.  Smoke alarms should be placed on every level of the home, inside each sleeping room, and outside each separate sleeping area
  • Test carbon monoxide alarms.  Carbon monoxide alarms should be located outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
  • Prevent frozen pipes by insulating all exposed pipes and setting your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees.  Make sure you know how to turn off your main water line if necessary.

 

Information Sources:

AAA – American Automobile Association

Clackamas County Fire District #1

Clackamas County (Clackamas.us)

Firewise USA (firewise.org)

National Fire Protection Association (nfpa.org/education)

Oregon Department of Forestry