As we wrap up National Preparedness Month, it is important to remember that everyone has the power to prepare for disasters. By taking advantage of the information we have presented this month, you can fully prepare your family with an emergency kit, a plan that includes communications, and an understanding of any local hazards.
We want you to know that the City of Southlake also prepares, and we have an entire office dedicated to it. Since June, Emergency Management has led the City's Executive Leadership Team and Emergency Preparedness Matrix Team in updating the City's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). As part of this comprehensive plan, the city intends to use all available resources to protect its citizens during hazardous incidents, major emergencies, and disasters that may threaten public health, safety, and property. There are a number of components to the EOP, ranging from alerting and warning citizens to shelter and mass care to emergency public information and response to terrorist incidents.
“Having an updated and effective plan is like having a playbook established before we even know which game we are playing,” says Amanda Meneses. “Our plans give us the proven framework for a response, and are created when we are all thinking with a level and calm head, not in the heat of the moment.”
Over the last three years, the City has used the EOP to respond to COVID-19, the 2021 winter storm, and the DalDen HAZMAT fire to just name a few. We looked at best practices and areas of improvement to incorporate into the plan in order to provide the best response to citizens.
“Our plan is created with an all-hazards approach so that we can respond effectively and efficiently no matter what the emergency,” says Meneses. “My hope is that every family has a plan they feel just as confident about.”
To learn more about how to prepare your family even further, visit the Office of Emergency Management's "Get Prepared" page or call 817-748-8903.
As we wrap up National Preparedness Month, it is important to remember that everyone has the power to prepare for disasters. By taking advantage of the information we have presented this month, you can fully prepare your family with an emergency kit, a plan that includes communications, and an understanding of any local hazards.
We want you to know that the City of Southlake also prepares, and we have an entire office dedicated to it. Since June, Emergency Management has led the City's Executive Leadership Team and Emergency Preparedness Matrix Team in updating the City's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). As part of this comprehensive plan, the city intends to use all available resources to protect its citizens during hazardous incidents, major emergencies, and disasters that may threaten public health, safety, and property. There are a number of components to the EOP, ranging from alerting and warning citizens to shelter and mass care to emergency public information and response to terrorist incidents.
“Having an updated and effective plan is like having a playbook established before we even know which game we are playing,” says Amanda Meneses. “Our plans give us the proven framework for a response, and are created when we are all thinking with a level and calm head, not in the heat of the moment.”
Over the last three years, the City has used the EOP to respond to COVID-19, the 2021 winter storm, and the DalDen HAZMAT fire to just name a few. We looked at best practices and areas of improvement to incorporate into the plan in order to provide the best response to citizens.
“Our plan is created with an all-hazards approach so that we can respond effectively and efficiently no matter what the emergency,” says Meneses. “My hope is that every family has a plan they feel just as confident about.”
To learn more about how to prepare your family even further, visit the Office of Emergency Management's "Get Prepared" page or call 817-748-8903.
As we wrap up National Preparedness Month, it is important to remember that everyone has the power to prepare for disasters. By taking advantage of the information we have presented this month, you can fully prepare your family with an emergency kit, a plan that includes communications, and an understanding of any local hazards.
We want you to know that the City of Southlake also prepares, and we have an entire office dedicated to it. Since June, Emergency Management has led the City's Executive Leadership Team and Emergency Preparedness Matrix Team in updating the City's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). As part of this comprehensive plan, the city intends to use all available resources to protect its citizens during hazardous incidents, major emergencies, and disasters that may threaten public health, safety, and property. There are a number of components to the EOP, ranging from alerting and warning citizens to shelter and mass care to emergency public information and response to terrorist incidents.
“Having an updated and effective plan is like having a playbook established before we even know which game we are playing,” says Amanda Meneses. “Our plans give us the proven framework for a response, and are created when we are all thinking with a level and calm head, not in the heat of the moment.”
Over the last three years, the City has used the EOP to respond to COVID-19, the 2021 winter storm, and the DalDen HAZMAT fire to just name a few. We looked at best practices and areas of improvement to incorporate into the plan in order to provide the best response to citizens.
“Our plan is created with an all-hazards approach so that we can respond effectively and efficiently no matter what the emergency,” says Meneses. “My hope is that every family has a plan they feel just as confident about.”
To learn more about how to prepare your family even further, visit the Office of Emergency Management's "Get Prepared" page or call 817-748-8903.
As we wrap up National Preparedness Month, it is important to remember that everyone has the power to prepare for disasters. By taking advantage of the information we have presented this month, you can fully prepare your family with an emergency kit, a plan that includes communications, and an understanding of any local hazards.
We want you to know that the City of Southlake also prepares, and we have an entire office dedicated to it. Since June, Emergency Management has led the City's Executive Leadership Team and Emergency Preparedness Matrix Team in updating the City's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). As part of this comprehensive plan, the city intends to use all available resources to protect its citizens during hazardous incidents, major emergencies, and disasters that may threaten public health, safety, and property. There are a number of components to the EOP, ranging from alerting and warning citizens to shelter and mass care to emergency public information and response to terrorist incidents.
“Having an updated and effective plan is like having a playbook established before we even know which game we are playing,” says Amanda Meneses. “Our plans give us the proven framework for a response, and are created when we are all thinking with a level and calm head, not in the heat of the moment.”
Over the last three years, the City has used the EOP to respond to COVID-19, the 2021 winter storm, and the DalDen HAZMAT fire to just name a few. We looked at best practices and areas of improvement to incorporate into the plan in order to provide the best response to citizens.
“Our plan is created with an all-hazards approach so that we can respond effectively and efficiently no matter what the emergency,” says Meneses. “My hope is that every family has a plan they feel just as confident about.”
To learn more about how to prepare your family even further, visit the Office of Emergency Management's "Get Prepared" page or call 817-748-8903.
September is National Preparedness Month. The City of Southlake Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has committed to participating and increasing awareness throughout our community.
The 2022 theme, A Lasting Legacy, focuses on the importance of protecting every life by preparing for disasters. Ultimately, these efforts will help us create and preserve a long-lasting legacy.
Emergencies happen at unexpected moments," said Southlake's Emergency Manager Amanda Meneses. "It's essential to take the time now to do some simple things that will help keep you safe when disaster strikes.
Meneses also noted that the region had witnessed the devastation that storms, flash floods, wildfires, and even drought can cause. So this month is a good time to take stock and ensure everyone is ready.
OEM wants residents of Southlake to make sure they and their families are prepared for a disaster by learning the hazards that affect our area. The Southlake Get Prepared webpage provides information for making an emergency preparedness plan.
Keeping the theme in mind, consider these four steps:
Step 1: Put a plan together.
Discuss the following questions with your household members, extended family, and friends.
Step 2: Consider the specific needs of your household.
Tailor your plan to include supplies for the day-to-day living needs for each family member. Having the necessary supplies on hand can help family members feel calm, even amid chaos. Factors to consider when developing a personalized plan:
Step 3: Fill out a family emergency plan.
Whether completing the document provided by Texasready.gov or creating your own, the primary purpose is to provide answers to the overarching question, "What if…?"
Step 4: Practice makes proficient.
Practice your plan with your family/household. Ideally, your preparedness plan will become second nature after practice and discussion. It can also be written and placed in a central location where it can quickly be reviewed.
Now is a great time to make your preparedness plan. To receive tips and information, visit www.ready.gov and www.texasready.gov.
Emergency preparedness isn’t limited to government and residents. Businesses should be prepared for disaster situations as well. The whole community approach to emergency management pulls together the entire community to prepare for and respond to crisis situations.
Prepare.
By being prepared, businesses can respond quickly and even help the community in a time of need. After a disaster, statistics show that 25% of businesses will not open again. However, having an emergency plan in place will allow you to lessen the financial impact of the disaster and reopen your business quickly. The U.S. Small Business Administration is a good place to start when learning how you can prepare your business for emergencies.
Respond.
Businesses should have a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) in place to ensure that they are capable of conducting their essential functions and processes under all threats and conditions. A COOP may include identified risks and a step-by-step guide over how to respond to various emergency events. A business toolkit may also store emergency messages for websites and social media to keep your customers advised.
Learn how to create a business continuity of operations plan to keep your business running during a disaster or emergency and create a business emergency toolkit for emergency situations.
Recover.
Disasters take their toll on people and communities in big ways. Making sure you and loved ones are safe after a disaster is priority number one, but for business owners, making sure they are able to rebuild after a disaster is next in line.
Successful recovery steps include:
Together, the City of Southlake and its business partners can create a resilient Southlake.
The City of Southlake is prepared for emergency situations and ready to respond should disaster strike. How can you help? Make sure your family is ready with an emergency kit, a household plan and by staying informed.
Every home should have an emergency kit that includes enough food, water and supplies to last your entire household for 3-7 days. Your kit should also include a flashlight, first aid items, cell phone chargers and prescription medications. You can buy premade kits, however, it is beneficial to create a kit that is personal to your family’s likes and dislikes. Many families have pets. The emergency kit should also take into consideration those needs as many shelters may require your pets to be secured in a kennel or with a leash. It is important to keep your entire emergency kit inside an easy-to-carry container such as a plastic bin or a duffel bag. This allows for quick transport in the event you need to evacuate your home.
Planning for emergencies is also crucial. Each household should have a plan to evacuate their home and to shelter in place. Since disasters are not normally planned, have a meet-up place designated since many times emergencies happen when family members are away from the home, such as at school or work. Also is it recommended that you identify a contact from out-of-state, that each member can check-in with. That way if local communication is down, it is possible that a text may reach someone outside of the affected area. Don’t forget to consider your family’s specific needs like pets as well as how you will communicate and reconnect if separated. Having family photos and pet photos readily available can assist with reunification.
Stay in the know. The City of Southlake Office of Emergency Management recommends all Southlake residents and businesses sign up for Alert Southlake, our free emergency notification system. This tool ensures you receive pertinent emergency notifications based on your preferences of phone call, text message or email so that you and your family can respond quickly.
With your help, we can make sure Southlake is prepared for emergency situations. Learn more about how you can prepare your family for emergencies at www.CityofSouthlake.com/BePrepared. Sign up for Alert Southlake at www.CityofSouthlake.com/AlertSouthlake.
We can’t always predict when disaster will strike, but we’re prepared if it does.
Planning
From severe weather to man-made hazards, the City of Southlake has multiple plans in place that address procedures before, during and after disaster or large-scale emergency events. The Office of Emergency Management guides City departments through planning processes so that we have plans that use an all-hazards approach, easily molded to fit most situations.
Notification
The City of Southlake operates six outdoor warning sirens that sound during severe weather or life threating events. The sirens are placed strategically throughout the City and are designed to warn people who are in common outdoor areas such as parks and shopping centers to go inside and seek more information.
The City also communicates emergency information with citizens and businesses registered for Alert Southlake. This system allows us to send rapid notifications via phone call, text or email. These notifications can range from severe weather notifications, road closures, to other emergencies such as closures and boil water notices.
Response
When a disaster strikes, the City operates and Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The EOC, under guidance of the emergency manager and city manager, brings together highly trained City staff and state-of-the-art technology to coordinate resources, information and crisis and emergency risk communication to strengthen our City’s ability to detect and respond to threats.
The City also participates in associations such as Northeast Fire Department Association (NEFDA) and Public Works Emergency Response Team (PWERT) that allows us additional resources and manpower during emergency events. These affiliations allow us to respond and recover much faster, becoming a more resilient community.
Learn how the City has planned for various emergency situations by visiting the Southlake Office of Emergency Management’s home page or if you have a question, contact Emergency Manager Amanda Meneses at ameneses@ci.southlake.tx.us.
