Item 2: Austin Emergency Management Winter Weatherization Preparation Presentation — original pdf

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Winter Weather Preparedness Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Austin Emergency Management | Jan 20, 2026 Agenda • Citywide Preparation Highlights Across the Enterprise • Cold Weather Shelters & Activation Triggers • Winter Shelter Plans • Warming Centers • Preparedness Resources • Winter Weather Tips • How to Help Citywide Preparation Highlights City Initiatives Departments are preparing equipment, supplies, and staff for cold weather. Transportation and Public Works – conducted a field exercise to drive prescribed routes for road treatment, traffic signal exercise, ordered de- icing materials. Austin Energy – conducted an incident command exercise for winter weather preparation in October Austin Public Libraries – Pre-identified Warming Center locations for extended hours Fleet Services – Trained staff to properly apply chains to vehicle tires Austin Parks – coordinating mass care sites with AEM + staging Mission Ready Packages AEM Offered Winter Weather Preparedness Trainings in November & December • Winter Weather Seminar for City, County and Partners • • Public Information EOC Training for all City communication positions Public Information EOC Tabletop Exercise for Winter Weather Roster Cold Weather Shelters & Activation Triggers Cold Weather Shelters are for life safety & are primarily used by people experiencing homelessness. No one will be turned away. • Updated and simplified CWS Threshold for Activation: 35°F or lower using NWS Camp Mabry location • Intake centralized at One Texas Center • Shelter guests are bussed to shelter via CapMetro • Homeless Strategy Office (HSO) contracted with vendor to provide shelter to the first 300 people AEM to coordinate surge operations over 300 people • Meals for shelters • Coordinating with Building Services and APD for shelter security • Coordinating with Animal Services for sheltering service animals • Distributing supplies to shelter locations (mats and blankets) Winter Shelter Plans Mass Care & Shelter Division Winter 2024-2025 Shelter Management Strategy • Use City-owned facilities • Utilize City-owned Mission Ready Packages (MRP) which are pre-deployed at 9 locations with 72 hours of supplies • Utilize reassigned city staff as shelter managers and support staff • Offer training for shelter managers + emotional intelligence de-escalation training with HSO and NGO partners Cold Weather Shelters & Activation Triggers Warming Centers are available at City Facilities, including Libraries and Parks & Recreation Centers • Open during normal hours of operation all winter • Locations and hours kept up to date in real time at austintexas.gov/alerts via Warming Center Map • Information available in 14 languages • Open to Service Animals • People with pets can request warming truck from Warming Center staff • Animal Services will provide truck, if available Austintexas.gov/alerts Preparedness Resources Preparedness Events and Training Emergency Preparedness Pop-Ups • Hosted in every district • AEM and other public safety departments provide emergency resources and giveaways. • January 21st-Hampton Branch at Oak Hill • February 18th-Menchaca Road Branch • March 18th-Windsor Park Branch Get Ready Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Fair • 30 vendors with preparedness activities and resources • Held annually in September (Date TBD) Trainings • Ready Together Basics of Emergency Preparedness Trainings two-hour preparedness classroom training offered quarterly • The Four Steps to Emergency Preparedness • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Preparedness Resources Neighborhood Guidebooks provide information on how to make a plan, build a kit, know your neighbors, and staying informed. In the guidebooks you will learn: • How to make a plan for you, your family, and your neighbors • It breaks down possible disasters and emergencies in Central Texas and includes resources They are available: • Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Vietnamese • Are free to the public • Pick up: Libraries, Asian American Resource Center, Non-Profit Partner Organizations, and at AEM events Other Ways to Stay Informed: • WarnCentralTexas.org • Accessible Hazard Alert System (AHAS) for emergency alerts in American Sign Language, English voice, and text for people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, Blind, or Deaf and Blind • austintexas.gov/alerts for information is translated in 14 languages • ReadyCentraltexas.org digital preparedness hub • Press Conferences • Winter Weather Preparedness Press Conference with Mayor + Judge Winter Weather Tips Winter Weather Tips Winter Weather: the 4 Ps • People-Dress in multiple warm layers. Know the signs of hypothermia • Pets-Bring them inside. All pets are vulnerable to extreme cold • Pipes-Insulate pipes and unheated areas. Drip your faucet • Plants-Bring any plants inside that can be carried. Outside plants should be covered Winter Weather: Weatherize Your Home • Utilities- Familiarize yourself with utility shut offs and contact information • Keeping the Cold Out-Find and Seal drafty areas (doors, windows, and basements) • Stay Safe and Sound with Code/Development Services Department- check your gas appliances and make sure to have a carbon monoxide detector Winter Weather Tips Safety • Staying Warm-Learn proper usage of heaters, generators and keep extra blankets in your go bag • Electricity-Don’t touch powerlines, overload power strips, use proper extension cords • Gas-Test Carbon Monoxide detectors, and always keep generators at least 20 feet from window, door, or vents • Driving-Plan your route ahead of time, know your car, and stay informed about winter conditions and road closures Power Outage • Report an outage- sign up for outage alerts through your electricity company • Call 9-1-1 for medical emergencies, especially if you are connected to life saving medical equipment • Food Safety- when to throw away food Medically Vulnerable • Austin Energy- A City of Austin registry that provides personalized case management and • coordinated support for residents with critical care needs or chronic conditions STEAR- The State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) provides local emergency planners and emergency responders with additional information on the needs members of our community may have How to help Grow our Sphere of Influence Help us get our resources out to the community: • Follow our socials • Share our events and resources • Attend our events • Disseminate our Neighborhood Guidebooks Sharing our resources helps us reach more people and build a stronger, more prepared community.