City Corner: Be Prepared to Escape Quickly in Case of Wildfire - Ashland News

Ashland residents are encouraged to sign up for citizen alerts and pack a go bag of essential items

By Paula Hyatt

Fire season is upon us and as a community, we are being asked to take two critical steps to prepare for emergencies. First, sign up for Citizen Alert and second, pack your emergency bag.

Signing up for citizen alerts and preparing your emergency bag can go a long way in an emergency.

Fire season was declared on June 1st and if you are not signed up for emergency alerts, now is the time. We encourage all Ashland residents and local business owners to sign up for citizen alerts.

Citizen Alerts

Citizen alerts through Everbridge are easy to set up and there are multiple ways to establish your alerts.

First, you can register online at ashlandoregon.gov/966/Alerts.

With online registration, you can prioritize your preferred contact methods and customize notifications. Plus, your online account will give you the ability to change your address or phone number whenever the need arises.

If you prefer to register using your mobile phone, send SMS 97520 in the message line to the following number: 888777.

Best practices recommend assigning the number 888777 a name in your contact list, such as “Ashland Citizen Alert.”
You also have the option to assign 888777 its own ringtone to further alert you to the nature of the call.
It is important to note that if you sign up for SMS only, you may not receive Jackson County-wide alerts, but only Ashland alerts associated with the 97520 zip code, and you will not receive email notifications, only SMS.

Signing up for SMS alerts is a great first step, and it is highly recommended that you follow along online to create your account. Having an account will allow you to include email alerts and additional phone numbers. It will also connect you to the county and associated county alerts.

Finally, Citizen Alerts via Everbridge has an app! To download the app, go to your Google Play or Apple App Store and search for Everbridge. The Everbridge app will allow you to subscribe to Ashland Alerts and control your notifications from the convenience of your phone. You will need to subscribe to Ashland Alerts from the app, and the app can be used on its own or in conjunction with text messaging.

Remember, effective emergency preparedness means ensuring EVERY member of your family has access to citizen alerts, including older children with cell phones.

Be ready

Once you’re signed up for alerts, it’s time to focus on emergency evacuation preparation. The next step isn’t easy to consider. Many of us have experience evacuating for wildfires and we know that the time to prepare is when we’re not facing an emergency. Yet, we keep putting off the “Getting Ready” step. In an acute emergency, it can be difficult to prioritize needs. You’re processing a lot of information quickly and having a plan, ideally written down and easily accessible, for yourself and your loved ones saves lives.

During our fire seasons, be comfortable with Level 1: Be Prepared.

And, unlike most fire season situations, you have complete control over signing up for alerts and packing a fire bag.

The task of packing a travel bag is often overwhelming. Contemplating the need to pack a travel bag takes energy and can be scary. Channeling that energy and taking concrete steps helps us take control and make personal decisions.

Focus first on your basic needs, those of your family members and, if applicable, those of your pets. So where do you start?

Resources and advice on emergency kits for almost any emergency are available at ready.gov/kit.

This website will help you prepare a travel bag that is right for you and your family. Below are some basic recommendations, but please be aware that this list is not exhaustive and each individual or family will have unique needs. Please take a few minutes to think about your personal situation and make a list of what you need, then PREPARE YOUR TRAVEL BAG so that the items are ready when needed.

Basic supplies for wildfire evacuation include:

Water.
Long-life foods.
Battery or hand crank radio.
Flash light.
First aid kit.
Extra batteries.
N95 mask.
Local maps.
Cell phone chargers and power banks.

Personal supplies to consider:

Medications, including over-the-counter medications and supplements.
Important documents. Examples include identification documents, copies of insurance policies and bank account information, available electronically or in a waterproof portable container.
Eyeglasses, sunglasses or contact lenses.
Change of clothes.
Formula, diapers, wipes, rash cream and bottles.
Pet supplies including food and extra water.
In cash, in small denominations if possible.
Soap, hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes.

Where you store your emergency bag is just as important as where you take it. Keep your emergency bag in a designated, easily accessible space and make sure everyone in the household knows where it is! Evacuation circumstances are dynamic and it is essential to ensure everyone in the household knows where to find the emergency bag(s).

It’s time to prepare and plan. Don’t delay. Sign up for citizen alerts and pack your travel bag.

Additional Resources

The City of Ashland is committed to providing resources that help you and your loved ones plan and prepare for emergencies. Additional resources are available at ashlandoregon.gov/180/Emergency-Preparedness.

Additionally, an emergency preparedness program for seniors, “Ready, Set, Go!” will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. July 31 at the Ashland Senior Center, 1699 Homes Ave., Ashland. Registration is required. To register, call 541-488-5342. The program is free and will be presented by Ashland Emergency Management Coordinator Kelly Burns.

Email Ashland City Councilor Paula Hyatt has [email protected]. Email letters to the editor and opinion pieces to [email protected].