Preparedness

Preparedness: Measures taken to prepare for and reduce the effects of disasters

Disasters and emergencies can affect anyone at any time. It is important that every individual, family, business and organization are prepared to be self-sustaining should an emergency occur. This includes being prepared in your home, workplace and everywhere in between. Immediately after an emergency, essential services may be unavailable and local disaster relief and first responders may not be able to reach you. It is important that every individual, family, business and organization are prepared to be self-sustaining for the first 72-hours following an emergency.

Are You Prepared for An Emergency?

Preparedness means not only having the appropriate gear and supplies necessary to cope with emergencies, but also having a plan for your family to follow in these situations. An important component of this plan should be how family members would communicate. Keep in mind that in some circumstances regular phone service and cell phone service may be unavailable. Below are several links to information on emergency preparedness for you, your family, and your pets:

For all flood preparedness and floodplain development information for Gunnison County, please visit Gunnison County Community and Economic Development page here.

Evacuation Notice Information

PRE-EVACUATION NOTICE- BE PREPARED
Under a Pre-Evacuation Notice, the area indicate is NOT on Evacuation order yet, but conditions may change quickly and we need you to be prepared and ready. Citizens are advised that there may be an evacuation order in the future. Conditions locally may be hazardous. 

Review your evacuation plan, assemble your Go Kit, and watch for emergency alerts. You can prepare your Go Kit by focusing on the following: 

  • People & Pets: Family members, loved ones, and all animals including livestock. 
  • Papers: Vital documents, identification, and important contact/phone numbers (e.g., deeds, insurance policies, passports). 
  • Phones/Computers/Chargers 
  • Prescriptions: Medications, eyeglasses/contacts, vitamins, and medical equipment. 
  • Plastic: Credit cards, ATM cards, and readily accessible cash. 

For a detailed list of what to include with your Go Kit, visit https://www.ready.gov/kit.

VOLUNTARY EVACUATION NOTICE- GET READY
Under a Voluntary Evacuation Notice, the area is NOT on a Mandatory Evacuation order yet, but the area is at high risk. Conditions may change quickly and we need citizens to be prepared and ready in case a mandatory evacuation is issued. If a longer time to evacuate is needed due to medical issues, livestock needs, or other factors, we urge citizens to begin evacuation preparations immediately and be ready to leave at a moment's notice. 

MANDATORY EVACUATION NOTICE - GO NOW!
If a Mandatory Evacuation Notice is issued, you must LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY. Do not delay! If you choose to ignore this order, you must understand that emergency services will not be available and you may not be rescued. Volunteers will NOT be allowed to enter the area to provide assistance. 

 

Emergency Preparedness Checklist

  • Register for emergency alerts

    • Register for Gunnison Regional Alerts [EC1] (powered by GEM). Gunnison Regional Alerts is used to communicate critical public safety topics including evacuations, wildfire, flooding, and other emergency notifications. All residents, visitors, and family members living in Gunnison County or the Gunnison Dispatch area are encouraged to sign up for alerts at gunnison.genasys.com/portal/register.
    • During the registration process, you can choose the types of alerts you receive and how to receive them, including landline phone, cell phone, text/SMS message, and email. This system replaces our previous Emergency Notification System, CodeRed. If you were registered for CodeRed, please sign-up for Gunnison Regional Alerts. 
    • Register with the Gunnison County website and subscribe to Notify Me! to receive emergency notifications (text message and/or email). Notifications you receive from Notify Me! will pertain to the local area and Gunnison County ONLY.

  • Create an evacuation plan

    • Include at least two types of transportation you could use, multiple routes you could take, and where you would stay or meet up with loved ones.

  • Create a grab list

    • Include irreplaceable or critical items that you would want to take with you during an evacuation.

  • Create an emergency kit

    • This can consist of things like non-perishable food, water, a headlamp, backup battery for a phone, a weather radio, tools, etc. and is useful during evacuation, power outage, shelter-in-place, or any type of incident.

  • Review your insurance policy, and ensure you have adequate coverage.

  • Make a video or photo inventory of your property and belongings.

Resources