FREMONT COUNTY EVACUATION PLAN POSTER

An Evacuation Plan for the Homestead Park Area has been modified in the spring of 2016. In the event that a wildland fire threatens the area and necessitates an evacuation, please refer to the Fremont County Evacuation Plan and evacuation levels. The Evacuation Plan has been divided into steps, which are described below. All actions, locations and routes in this plan are suggested. Fire conditions and other factors may necessitate changes to this plan.

1. The decision to implement either an evacuation alert or an evacuation order is made by the Fire Incident Commander.

*  A Level 1 Evacuation means “BE READY” for potential evacuation. Residents should ALWAYS be at this level.

* A Level 2 Evacuation means “BE SET” to evacuate.

* A Level 3 Evacuation means “GO” Evacuate NOW!

* Notification will be given to local media and emergency alert systems.

* The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office will attempt to conduct the evacuation process by door to door contact.

* Traffic control points will be established and staffed by law enforcement to deny entry of unauthorized vehicles and document those who leave the area. These control points will also coordinate incoming emergency response vehicles and outgoing evacuees to prevent traffic congestion problems.

* The American Red Cross and Fremont County Emergency Management will establish an Evacuation Shelter if necessary which would provide necessities such as food, water, bathing, sleeping and other logistical needs.

* After the risk of potential for loss of life and property from unstable fire conditions has subsided and the Incident Commander deems it safe to do so, the evacuation level will be reduced to “SET”, and residents will be allowed to return to their homes.
Preparation:

The best time to prepare yourself and your family in case of an emergency evacuation is before you are called to act. These instructions are intended to help you prepare in case you need to evacuate your home due to a wildfire. The more prepared you are, the more effectively firefighters can protect you and your home if a wildland fire threatens your neighborhood.

Before a wildfire threatens:

• Plan more than one escape route from your home or subdivision by car and by foot.
• Prepare a family evacuation kit that includes:
• Three changes of clothing and a change of footwear per person and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.
• A three-day supply of food and water.
• A first aid kit that includes your family’s prescription medications.
• Emergency tools including a battery-powered AM/FM radio, flashlight, & batteries
• Extra car keys and a credit card, cash, or traveler’s checks.
• Sanitation supplies.
• Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members.
• An extra pair of eyeglasses/sunglasses.
• Important family documents.
• Wills, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks, bonds.
• Passports, social security cards, immunization records.
• Bank account numbers.
• Credit card account numbers and companies.
• Inventory of valuable household goods, important phone numbers.
• Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates).
• Arrangements should be made for the shelter of pets and/or livestock previous to a wildfire incident.
• Children: plastic bag with pictures of family for identification and pocket money pinned to clothing.

Pick two meeting places for your family:

• A place a safe distance outside your home.
• A place outside of your neighborhood in case you can’t return to the area of your home.

If an Evacuation Alert is in effect and you are warned that a wildfire is threatening your area:

• Back your car into the garage or park in an open space facing the direction of escape. Shut doors and roll up windows. Leave a second set of keys in the ignition. Place your valuables in the car ahead of time.
• Confine pets to one room so they will be readily available when the time comes to evacuate. Make plans ahead of time to care for your pets in case you must evacuate. Contact the local kennels, animal shelters, friends, etc.
• Arrange temporary housing at a friend or relative’s home outside the threatened area in case the evacuation is longer than expected.

If you’re sure you have time, take these steps to protect your home:

• Inside:
  • Close windows, vents, Venetian blinds or non-combustible window coverings and heavy drapes. Be sure to remove any combustible materials from near the windows to prevent radiant heat from igniting them.
  • Close all interior doors to confine drafts and prevent a fire from moving inside the structure.
  • Shut off gas or propane. Turn off pilot lights.
  • Move flammable furniture into center of the home away from windows and sliding-glass doors.
  • Turn on a light in each room to increase the visibility of your home in heavy smoke.Be sure to turn on the outside porch light as well. This will help firefighters to find your house in low visibility conditions.
• Outside:
  • Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals.
  • Remove gas grills from decks and patios, place propane tanks in garage.
  • Place combustible patio furniture inside.
  • Connect garden hoses to outside taps, leave in obvious location for firefighters.
  • Place a non-combustible ladder on house for access to roof for firefighters.
  • Remove firewood or any other stored combustibles near your home.
  • Remove all shrubs within 30 feet of your home.

When an Evacuation Order is in effect and you are advised to evacuate, do so immediately and safely.

• Wear protective clothing-sturdy shoes, cotton or woolen clothing, long pants, long sleeved shirt, gloves and a handkerchief to protect your face.
• Take your evacuation kit.
• Tie a white towel, sheet or ribbon on your front door; this advises emergency responders that your home has been evacuated.
• Tell someone when you left and where you are going.
• Follow the pre-designated evacuation route to the nearest Coordinated Meeting Point. Check in with the traffic official coordinating the traffic flow of outgoing evacuees and incoming emergency equipment.

Traffic Control:

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office will be responsible for traffic control & security during an evacuation and will coordinate the traffic control plan during the evacuation.

The departure routes should be used according to the pre-designated evacuation route on the Homestead Park Area Evacuation Map.

Secondary evacuation routes are not feasible from this neighborhood.It is highly recommended that evacuees leave as early as possible to not impede emergency response from the local fire department. The primary evacuation routes may or may not be traversable depending on the traffic flow, emergency vehicle response and the current road condition.

Officers staged at Coordinated Meeting Points will document evacuees who leave the area to keep a list of all evacuees to aid during the evacuation process.

An evacuation is an enormous undertaking requiring careful coordination of numerous agencies. In the mostly wooded Homestead Park area the most likely scenario would be the threat of wildfire. This evacuation plan is devised based on expected wildfire behavior and the evacuation that may be required.

During a wildfire, law enforcement officials may ask you to evacuate with little warning. Take precautions now to prepare for that possibility.

Evacuees who wish to learn more information during and after the evacuation may be able to contact the Public Information Officer for the wildfire or dial a phone number specifically designated to provide evacuation information. This information may or may not be available depending on time and resources availability.

Homestead Park Emergency Evacuation Plan Tips:

• Listen to radio for updated reports.
• Prepare important documents ahead of time.
• Take a disaster supply kit.
• Wear protective clothing during the evacuation.
• Follow the routes outlined in this plan. Choose a route away from the fire if possible.
• Check-in with a traffic control point coordinator.
• Proceed to the Evacuation Shelter in Dubois and check-in.
• Await further instructions from there.