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1. Does the city have a resident alert system?

Yes, SIGN UP for your alerts here.

2. How do I register for the city's alert/priority notification system? (Swift911)

By following the Register for Priority Notifications link provided in this answer you will be taken to a web portal that allows you to enter your email address. Follow the online instructions to enter your personal information. It is your responsibility to keep this information up to date, so if you no longer use a landline telephone, please ensure you keep your cell phone number up to date in the system.

Register for Priority Notifications

3. What is emergency preparedness?

Emergency preparedness means taking action to be ready for emergencies before they happen. The objective is to simplify decision making during emergencies.

4. What's the difference between emergency preparedness and emergency response?

Emergency preparedness refers to actions which can and should be performed prior to an emergency, such as planning and coordination meetings, procedure writing, team training, emergency drills and exercises, and prepositioning of emergency equipment. Emergency response refers to actions taken in response to an actual, ongoing event.

5. Why is planning so important?

It is everyone’s responsibility to be prepared for emergencies. Initially, emergency services will be consumed with responding to the disaster. It is up to each of us to prepare. Planning in advance will help you, your family and friends manage an emergency in a calm and effective way, which will help keep you safe.

6. What should people do to prepare for an emergency?

Families should develop an emergency plan to prepare their home, family, and office in case of a natural disaster or other emergency.

> Get an emergency kit
> Make a plan
> Have extra cash, medication, water, clothing, and food on hand to be prepared
> Have a list of family emergency numbers and school contacts
> Have an emergency meeting place
Get Ready

7. In an emergency, is evacuation always the answer?

No. Evacuation is not the only protective action available to the public. In some situations sheltering may provide protection that is equal to or even greater than evacuation. Sheltering may be the preferred protective action in cases where weather, competing events, or short-term releases are factors.

8. What does shelter in place mean?

Sheltering in place is one of several response options available to emergency management directors to provide an additional level of protection in the event of an emergency. Shelter in place is a protective action designed to use an indoor facility, such as your own home or a public building, and its indoor atmosphere to shield people from a hazardous outdoor environment. Sheltering in place means persons will remain in a building until emergency management officials issue additional instructions or declare that the emergency condition has ended. It is a short-term option for limiting the potential exposure of persons to hazards that may be present in the outdoor environment. It will most likely be a matter of hours, not days.

9. What is in an Emergency Kit?

> 1 gallon of water per person per day
> Food and manual can opener
> Week’s supply of prescription medication
> Battery powered radio, with extra batteries
> Extra batteries for hearing aids or other assistive devices
> Flashlight with extra batteries
> List of contacts (e.g. family members, friends, doctors)
> First aid supplies

Any items you normally use that you would need for three days should an emergency occur should also be included. If you have a pet, you will need three days’ supply of food and water for each pet. Should you have to evacuate, these supplies should go with you. More extensive lists and information can be found on websites dealing with preparedness, such as Ready.gov.
It is also a very good idea to have a “go bag” ready in case you have to evacuate either your home or work place. This small bag could include those personal items you would need if you had to leave without any notice as well as copies of financial records, pet’s veterinarian records, extra keys for house and car, cash, spare glasses or other special needs items, such as medications, batteries for assistive devices and copies of family documents.
Make a Kit