Item #4 HSEM Weather Preparedness Presentation — original pdf

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City of Austin Homeland Security & Emergency Management Weather Preparedness Update 6 May 2024 Ken Snipes, Director Homeland Security & Emergency Management Agenda • Know Your Risk: All Hazards Approach • Community Outreach • Neighborhood Guidebook • District Pop-Up Events • Get Ready Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Fair • Training • Community Partners • Preparedness • Staying Informed Know Your Risk: All Hazards Approach All Hazards Approach: Being prepared for a multitude of scenarios, not just natural disasters. • Flooding: Austin is in Flash Flood Alley • Wildfire: Dry zones, especially during droughts. • Severe Weather: Includes tornadoes, which can strike at any • Extreme Heat: Soaring temperatures pose health threats • Winter Weather: Icy conditions, freezing temperatures, and • Hurricanes: Coast can bring in storms and heavy rainfall time snow Other Risks • Biological: Outbreak of diseases or bio-terrorism threats • Chemical: Exposure to toxic substances or chemical attacks • Terrorist Threats: Acts of extremism or targeted violence Community Outreach • Neighborhood Preparedness Guide • Ways to help you plan for hazards • Tools to build and emergency supply kit • Resources for making emergency plan for your family • Template for how to help your neighborhood plan for emergencies • Community Events • Monthly Pop-Up Emergency Preparedness Events (January – November) with Spanish and ASL interpreters available Learn about how other City Departments can help during an emergency • Community Outreach Get Ready Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Fair Every September: • Learn about preparedness from different City Departments and other community partners. • Hosted in 2023 at the Austin ACC East Branch and had 200 visitors. • HSEM offered Go Bag starter kits and weather radios. • Austin Water gives away water keys to participants. Training Ready Together: The Basics of Emergency Preparedness for You, Your Family & Your Neighborhood • HSEM debuted a new community resource in September with in-person course on emergency preparedness. The community can learn from experts about the 4 steps of preparedness: make a plan, build a kit, know your neighbors, and stay informed. • We are offering quarterly training in 2024. • To register, go to ReadyCentralTexas.org and visit our education and training section. Training Senior Level Training • HSEM has coordinated training for senior leadership, including elected officials. These trainings include the Winter Weather Tabletop Exercise and Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) in College Station. Community Partners • Ascension Seton Emergency Response Team provides information on affordable go bag kits. • Universities, community organizations, & disability rights groups to give us feedback on our resources. • Working with partners allows us to share our alerts to the community faster. • Community partners give us the opportunity to hear what resources neighborhoods need. Preparedness It's critical to have enough supplies and resources to be self-sufficient for seven days. FEMA recommends having supplies for at least 3 days. City of Austin recommends 7 days, because winter storms in Central Texas can take longer to recover from. Make a Plan Build a Kit Stay Informed Know your Neighbors Staying Informed • When to call 9-1-1, 3-1-1, 2-1-1, 9-8-8 • What are the differences between the numbers? • ReadyCentralTexas.org • austintexas.gov/alerts • WarnCentralTexas.org Staying Informed • Accessible Hazard Alert System (AHAS) • State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) • Local News • Weather radio www.austintexas.gov/hsem