The Lane County Emergency Management website offers valuable advice on Emergency and Evacuation Preparedness and the Federal advice on Emergency Preparation is available here.
Emergency Alerts
Be sure to sign up for emergency alerts at https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/ to receive emergency notifications via text message, phone call or email.
- 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!
Watch the video below and read the information here to learn more about the Alert tools available and decide which ones you will rely on in the event of an emergency or disaster.
AlertSense
AlertSense (also called AlertMe!) from Konexus allows fire, police, and other emergency response agencies to issue alerts to residents in the event of severe weather, fire, flooding, hazardous materials, need for immediate evacuation, civil danger, local area emergencies, and missing persons.
In the event of an emergency, alerts will be delivered to you at the contact information you provided, including telephone, text messages and email.
Emergency voice alerts sent from the County will come through as telephone number (541) 972-3177 on CallerID. You can dial that number if you would like to hear the last message repeated.
Sign up for alerts.
“Reverse 911”
Emergency response officials throughout Lane County have access to a public alerting system. The system can deliver alerts and warnings, and provide emergency instructions to the general public by automatically calling the landline phone numbers in an affected area. Once a public safety official determines that there is a need to alert at-risk residents, he or she can request activation of the public alerting system through their dispatching agency.
Emergency Alert System (EAS)
The Emergency Alert System (EAS) warns us of imminent danger to life and property. The EAS broadcasts over various media such as radio, television, cable television, satellite radio and satellite television when there is an emergency. It does not currently interrupt streaming services such as Netflix.
The Communications Center of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office is the agency that operates the Emergency Alert System for Lane County. If there is an impending emergency then a local public safety official can request through the Sheriff’s Office that an emergency message be sent (broadcast) using the Emergency Alert System.
Learn more about EAS broadcasts.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
Wireless Emergency Alerts are messages sent to your mobile phone during an emergency. No sign-up is required.
WEA are sent only during an emergency by authorized government alerting authorities. Types of alerts include extreme weather warnings, local emergencies requiring evacuation or immediate action, AMBER Alerts, and Presidential Alerts.
You only receive WEA messages when your cell phone is in the area of the emergency. If you visit another city, you will only receive alerts for that location and not your hometown.
Learn more about WEA messages.
Evacuation 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
The 6 Ps to take with you when you evacuate:
- People & pets
- Prescriptions
- Papers
- Personal computer
- Pictures
- Plastic (and cash)
Watch the video (below) at LaneCountyOR.gov/evacuation to learn more about evacuation levels and download an Evacuation Guide (embedded above as PDF) at bit.ly/LCEvacuationGuide.
Are you ready to evacuate? from Lane County Government on Vimeo.
Pets and Animals
Don’t forget to include pets in your emergency plans. Learn about caring for pets in a disaster at LaneCountyOR.gov/LCAID.
In the event of a declared community disaster Lane County Animal Services (LCAS) will work closely with Greenhill Humane Society, Lane County Search & Rescue, and the Lane County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse to meet the needs of both companion animals and livestock. Lane County Animal Services will oversee temporary livestock sheltering and lead animal search, rescue and shelter in place operations. Depending on the location and extent of the disaster Greenhill may use their current campus in West Eugene or operate an off-site temporary shelter to care for companion animals as needed.
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 below and online at bit.ly/LCLargeAnimalEvacuation.
Lane County Animal Services wants YOU to have a plan and be prepared!
GUIDE TO EVACUATION LEVELS FOR LIVESTOCK OWNERS
Level 1 (BE READY)
- Know the location of all your animals (rotate animals out on pasture closer to your loading location, consider kenneling hard to catch barn cats etc.).
- Top off all water troughs and available water containers.
- Ensure vehicles are fueled, trailer tires have good air pressure and trailer lights work.
- Make sure your human and animal “go kits” are ready to grab
- Consider evacuating high needs/special needs animals or those that are difficult to load. *Please note: for capacity and resource purposes Lane County operated emergency livestock shelters are intended for level two and three evacuees*
- Allow time for multiple trips!!
- If you do NOT have your own trailer begin making phone calls to arrange for assistance should evacuation be necessary.
Level 2 (BE SET)
- Your hauling vehicle(s) should be hooked up to your trailer(s) and ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
- Depending on your situation and the number of livestock you own, if you are relying on someone else to transport your animals ensure that person is on their way to help remove your animals.
- Begin transporting all livestock (don’t forget a plan for your chickens!) and take everything you might need… you may not have the chance to return to your property!
- Make the best decision for your safety and that of your livestock. IF YOU FEEL UNSAFE, DON’T WAIT TO EVACUATE.
Level 3 (GO NOW)
- Leave immediately! Take the animals you have loaded and go, do not hesitate.
- In fast moving events not all animals will be evacuated!
- Report animals left behind to Lane County Animal Services! Only authorized Animal Search and Rescue personnel will be allowed through the roadblocks to retrieve animals left behind and to provide necessities to animals sheltering in place.
If you have questions please contact Lane County Animals Services at 541-682-3645 or LCAS@lanecountyor.gov.
Pre-planning for an emergency is the best thing animal owners can do to save lives!
Source: Lane County