Emergency Preparedness: Ridgefield Disaster Awareness

Ridgefield’s Emergency Operations Team has worked hard to prepare our town for every possible disaster.  They have assessed each emergency situation and prepared accordingly.  We want to keep you informed on what the town has done to prepare, and this is just the beginning.

The Emergency Operations Center:

The EOC provides a single point for the collection, evaluation and distribution of information by designated department representatives in a controlled environment, making the maximum use of situation assessment and existing communications during an emergency.

Benefits of the EOC:

• Provides organization and creates efficiency
• Provides a safe environment where department representatives can gather
• Has the resources needed to communicate with each department, surrounding towns and the state
• Prepared to accommodate department reps for several days
• Equipped with all the necessary information on the town and surrounding areas

Communication is most important during an emergency and Ridgefield has worked hard to ensure that our town stays in touch.

The Reverse Notification System:

The Reverse Notification System acts as a form of communication to the residents of Ridgefield from our First Selectman and other emergency operation department representatives.

Benefits:

• Includes all residents in the phone book and those unlisted who have chosen to participate
• Based out of Town Hall but can be remotely activated from various pre-selected locations
• Provides ability to send notification within one hour of the emergency
• Gives town officials an efficient way to communicate urgent information on the current situation

If you would like to be added to the Reverse Notification System, click here to download the form and send it to the Ridgefield Fire Department.

Along with the communication availability at the EOC, the Ridgefield Police Department has recently put to use new portable radios allowing for direct communication with the surrounding police departments.  In addition, Ridgefield has a mutual aid agreement with neighboring police departments ensuring each town will provide outside assistance to surrounding towns in need.

Ridgefield is currently equipped with three shelters that will provide residents with food, water and sleeping accommodations.  These shelters are located at Scotts Ridge Middle School, Branchville Elementary School and Yanity Gym.  In the event of such an emergency, residents will be asked to fill shelters according to voting district.

• Scotts Ridge
• Branchville
• Yanity Gym

In the event of a public health emergency, Ridgefield’s Health Department will provide residents with information on what to do.

The Inoculation Center:

• Coordinated by the Health Department and public health staff with support from the Visiting Nurses Association
• Fully equipped with the supplies necessary to operate the clinic
• Mobile Communication and a Health Alert Network System provide ability to communicate with partner response agencies
• Educational material about the health emergency at hand will be provided

Volunteers are always needed.  Nurses, physicians, pharmacists, mental health workers and non-medical volunteers are welcomed.  To become a volunteer, contact the Health Department at (203) 431-2745.

What You Can Do:

When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it's best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth.

• Water , one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation

• Food , at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food

• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• First aid kit

• Whistle to signal for help

• Dust mask , to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)

• Local maps

• Prescription medications and glasses

• Infant formula and diapers

• Pet food and extra water for your pet

• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container

• Cash or traveler's checks and change

• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov

• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.

• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.

• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.

• Fire Extinguisher

• Matches in a waterproof container

• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items

• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels

• Paper and pencil

• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Emergency Contact Numbers:

Police Department: 438-6531

Fire Department: 431-2724

Town Hall: 431-2774

Danbury Hospital: (203) 739-7000

Department of Public Health: 431-2745

Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
25 Sigourney Street – 6th FL
Hartford, CT 06106-5042
Phone:
(860) 256-0800
(800) 397-8876
Website:
http://www.ct.gov/demhs

Emergency Websites:

www.ready.gov

www.theredcross.com

Emergency Preparedness Websites:

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): www.fema.gov
FEMA for KIDS: www.fema.gov/kids
FEMA Nation Flood Insurance Program: www.fema.gov/fima/nfip.shtm
FEMA Tropical Storm Watch: www.fema.gov/storm/trop.shtm
FEMA en Español: www.fema.gov/spanish/index_spa.shtm
FEMA Are You Ready?: www.fema.gov/areyouready
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration –National Weather Service: www.nws.noaa.gov

National Hurricane Center: www.nhc.noaa.gov
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale: www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml

Storm Watch: www.noaa.gov/stormwatch

Current Terror Alert Status:                    

Homeland Security Advisory