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Fergus County
Disaster and
Emergency Services

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New Website!

Thank you for visiting the new DES website.
We have included links for emergency management personnel to our database,
news about our local Disaster and Emergency Services office, and much more. Please feel
free to browse.

Thank you!

Cheri Kilby

ARE YOU READY?

Are you ready for an emergency? The tips below will help you mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from many of the emergencies and disasters that could affect you as a Fergus County resident.

The Four Phases of Emergency Management (Purpose and Definition)

Important Phone Numbers

Mitigation

Storms: Making Fergus County a StormReady Community (COMING SOON!)

NEW!Power Outage: See What to do When the Power Goes Out (Energy Emergency)

Preparation
(COMING SOON!)
Preparedness Kits:

Building a Shelter-In-Place Kit

Building a Winter Car Kit
Building a 72 hour kit
Building a Family Disaster Kit

Response
(COMING SOON!)
What To Do In A Disaster
Keeping Warm During a Winter Power Outage
Keeping Cool During a Summer Power Outage

Recovery

NEW! What to do When the Power Goes Out (Energy Emergency)

The Four Phases of Emergency Management

The purpose of emergency management is to help minimize the threat to life and property during disasters and emergencies through mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery actions. These actions include day-to-day activities individuals can do in their homes such as mitigation of fire damage by clearing away dead brush and stacking logs away from buildings, as well as large scale planned activities performed at organization level, such as applying for government assistance for the county after a tornado or flood.

Mitigation: Activities which actually eliminate or reduce the chance of occurrence or the effects of a disaster.

Preparedness: Planning how to respond in case an emergency or disaster occurs and working to increase resources available to respond effectively. Designed to help save lives and minimize damage by preparing people to respond appropriately when an emergency is imminent.

Response: Activities which occur during or immediately following a disaster. They are designed to provide emergency assistance to victims of the event and reduce the likelihood of secondary damage.

Recovery: The final phase of the emergency management cycle. Recovery continues until all systems return to normal, or near normal. Short-term recovery returns vital life support systems to minimum operating standards. Long-term recovery from a disaster may go on for years until the entire disaster area is completely redeveloped, either as it was in the past or for entirely new purposes that are less disaster-prone.

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What To Do In A Disaster

Coming Soon! This page is a work in progress. Please bear with us!

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Important Phone Numbers

Coming Soon! This page is a work in progress. Please bear with us!

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Making Fergus County a StormReady Community

The DES office and the Local Emergency Planning Committee are spearheading an effort to make Fergus County a StormReady Community.

What is Storm Ready?

Ninety percent of all presidentially declared disasters are weather related. Through the StormReady program, NOAA's National Weather Service provides communities like ours the skills and education needed to survive severe weather -- before and during the event. Becoming a StormReady community will help our community leaders and emergency managers strengthen our local hazardous weather operations.

StormReady Does Not Mean Storm Proof

StormReady communities are better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of severe weather through better planning, education and awareness. Communities have fewer fatalities and property damage if they plan before dangerous weather arrives. No community is storm proof, but Storm Ready can help communities save lives.

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Building a Shelter-In-Place Kit

Coming Soon! This page is a work in progress. Please bear with us!

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Building a Winter Car Kit

Coming Soon! This page is a work in progress. Please bear with us!

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Building a 72 Hour Kit

Coming Soon! This page is a work in progress. Please bear with us!

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Building a Family Disaster Kit

Coming Soon! This page is a work in progress. Please bear with us!

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What to do When the Power Goes Out (Energy Emergency)

Energy Emergencies and What Causes Them

Any situation that leaves your home or apartment without energy (heat, light and/or electricity) is considered to be an energy emergency.

Energy emergencies can be caused by:

Weather Conditions: Winter storms, thunderstorms,
tornadoes, floods, etc., can cut off electricity, fuel and food
supplies for hours...or days.
Fuel Shortages: Limited fuel supplies could result in an energy crisis, affecting both home heating fuels and fuels used to generate electricity.
Other situations: A small-scale emergency in the home, such as a fire or mechanical failure, can knock out sources of heat or electricity. Financial difficulties can lead to unpaid electricity and heating bills -- and possibly to cut-offs.

Why Is An Energy Emergency Dangerous?

Energy emergencies present potential hazards to your home and your family. Here are some of the more common ones:

Fire: is often caused when alternate heat sources are used without care
Slips, Trips and Falls: are common risks when fumbling around in the dark during a power outage
Hypothermia: (below-normal body temperature) is a serious medical problem that results when a person gets too cold. Older individuals are especially vulnerable
Suffocation: can occur when an alternate heat source that uses air is used in a poorly ventilated area
Malnutrition: can be a problem for people living on limited incomes, forced to chose between buying fuel or food
Illness: can result from cold, undernourishment and unsanitary conditions due to a lack of proper bathing, cooking and food storage facilities

What You Can Do To Prepare Ahead of Time

The best time to deal with an energy emergency is before it happens!

Identify ways to conserve energy around the home
Discuss ways to eliminate wasteful habits and improve energy efficiency
Plan alternate methods of heating your home
Consult your local utility, state energy office, and local social service agencies for weatherization assistance, and help in paying heating bills.

Preparing for a Power Outage: What do Do when an Emergency Occurs

If the lights go out, don't panic!

Check if your Neighbor's Lights are out
Check Circut Breakers/Fuses
Call Your Electric Utility
Turn off Most Lights and unplug appliances to reduce electrical load when power returns, but leave one light on so you know when power is restored
Keep Refrigerator and Freezer Doors Closed
Wait a Few Minutes before turning on lights and appliances
Be alert for downed power lines
Report the power outage to your utility company

If you lose your heat, stay calm and follow these steps:

FOR OIL HEAT:

Check fuel talk level and power switch for the blower or fan connected to the furnace. Contact your service agent, if you suspect another problem with the furnace.

FOR GAS HEAT:

Check pilot light and contact your utility or service agent, if necessary. Try operating other gas appliances to make sure gas is available. Be sure to follow emergency procedures if you suspect a gas leak or similar problems -- don't use matches, electrical appliances/switches

STAY INFORMED

Listen to your local radio stations (such as KXLO and LCM) for emergency information and instructions.

If you have a NOAA weather radio, turn it on as well.

Prevent Pipes From Freezing

IF THE HEAT IS OFF FOR A FEW HOURS:

Wrap any accessible pipes expose to cold with insulation or layers of newspaper. Be careful when wrapping hot water pipes.

In extremely cold weather, open faucets slightly, leaving a constant drip. Shut off water valve on toilet and flush until bowl and tank are empty.

IF THE HEAT IS OFF FOR LONGER THAN TWO DAYS:

Turn off main valve, water heater and/or water-heating furnace. Save some water for emergency use, then open all faucets and grain the water heater (making sure it's turned off) and all pipes by opening the drain valves.

IF THE PIPES FREEZE:

Shut off main water supply, open faucets completely and remove any newspaper or insulation you may have wrapped around pipes. To thaw, expose pipes to warm air or wrap with hot, wet rags and call plumber if necessary. Never use a torch or open flame to thaw pipes.

Backup Heat Sources

Chose a backup heat source and learn how to operate it safely, BEFORE an emergency occurs.

Options include: generators, fireplaces, wood/coal stoves and portable fuel-burning heaters.

Tips:

obtain fuel in advance
select the warmest room to minimize heat loss, this room should provide approximately four square feet per person
prevent fire by using only as directed by the manufacturer
prevent suffocation by using an unvented heater that burns fuel in a ventilated area

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