Ramsey Resident - 2008 - March/April

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Qvcmjd!Tbgfuz Community Emergencies and Disasters: Ramsey Of Ý cials Prepare for a Rapid Response Training for emergency plan-such as the ice storms in Oklahoma and plan for needs as they arise. If re- ning takes time and commitment. In and wild land ﬁ res in California, also sources beyond the city’s are brought early 2007, the Ramsey City Council we can’t forget the devastating effects in, they are ﬁ t within the ICS. and management staff attended a that hurricane Katrina had over many Homeowners can also do training session to help prepare the different cities and states. In these their part to prepare for a local emer- community in case of a disaster. The large scale disasters, local, state, and gency or a disaster. Here are a few Mayor and City Council remain in federal agencies all work together to helpful suggestions: control of overall city functions dur-provide needed services. What some In your home: Put together a ing an emergency or disaster, while may not realize is that the primary home emergency kit that includes es- the emergency management staff (Po-responsibility in coordinating any sential non-perishable food and water lice, Fire and Public Works) through emergency or disaster is the local for 3 days. Water quantity should the City Administrator take the lead community. include 1 gallon per person per day. role in planning, putting together Due to this responsibility, For Minnesotan’s the kit should also operations, and administration of the Ramsey city ofﬁ cials continue to ag-contain supplies in case your homes incident.gressively plan for responding to all heating system is not operational. A In January 2008, the City levels of emergencies and disasters. complete change of clothing includ- Council and key support staff again The city has an adopted Emergency ing cold weather wear is an excellent participated in an emergency plan-Operations Plan that speciﬁ es which idea. A battery operated radio with ning session. This “table-top” exer-groups within city staff have primary additional batteries is vital to hear cise was the next step in emergency responsibility for key operations. critical communications during power planning by acting in their respective Your Police, Fire and Public Works outages. roles while dealing with a scenario departments have worked long and In your vehicle: Put together of a late winter storm with extensive hard to ensure that responding to a kit that remains in the vehicle power outages in Minnesota. The incidents is a coordinated effort. This including non-perishable food, water, next training session will involve a is extremely important. Remember, ﬁ rst aid supplies, ﬂ ares, jumper more detailed scenario with more em-even in large scale events, the re-cables and seasonal clothing. phasis on speciﬁ c details at all levels sponsibility starts at the local level. If you have speciﬁ c questions of the Incident Command System. In severe cases when FEMA (Federal regarding Ramsey’s emergency re- This should happen in late 2008 or Emergency Management Agency) sponse plan, or want additional infor- early 2009.gets involved, managing the event mation on emergency preparedness, Response to emergencies is still rests on the local level, FEMA feel free to contact Dean Kapler, Fire one of the critical services that cities, responds in a support role. Chief/Emergency Management Di- counties and states take considerable To manage both small and rector at 763-433-9859 or dkapler@ time and effort to plan. Although large scale incidents, an effective ci.ramsey.mn.us. many of us have witnessed or at least management structure must be used heard about emergencies dealing with to coordinate efforts of the few, or in severe storms, ﬂ ooding, structure some cases many, different agencies Recycling stickers for ﬁ res and large scale police activities, responding. Nationwide, the structure calendars are available for many are not aware of how commu-used in emergency response is called pick up at the Municipal Center nities work together to have plans in the Incident Command System or or they can be mailed to place to provide services during these ICS. With this recognized system, you by contacting JoAnn Shaw events.all levels of resources are structured at 763-433-9824 or Watching local and national within the same system to effectively jshaw@ci.ramsey.mn.us. news, we remember disasters in 2007 coordinate response, deliver services, www.ci.ramsey.mn.us 7