ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Emergency Preparedness

The City of Lakewood is continually preparing and training personnel to handle many types of disasters. This includes weather conditions, flooding, hazardous materials incidents and more. As a citizen, you can also prepare at home, should we have incidents like these occur in Lakewood. The City is equipped with outdoor sirens and the Reverse 911 telephone notification system. You can tune into KOA Radio 850 AM for information and instructions during an emergency.

General Emergency Preparedness Tips

• Make a list of important local numbers. This includes non-emergency numbers for the police department, fire department, and FBI field office. Keep it by the phone and make copies for yourself and your family to keep in your wallets or purses.
• Write down phone numbers and contact information for your family. Keep one copy by the phone and provide others to family and friends.
• Make a neighborhood directory and plan. Include emergency contact information and plans for children and seniors who may be home alone during emergency situations. Identify neighbors who need additional help, such as young children, seniors, and those with disabilities, and develop a plan to assist them in an emergency.
• Make your home easy to find. Make sure your street address number is large and well lighted so that emergency personnel can find your home quickly.
• Organize an emergency preparedness kit. Check batteries, change the stored water, and rotate the food supplies every six months. Your kit should contain the following supplies:
  • A 3 - 5 day supply of water (one gallon per person per day)
  • Food that will not spoil and requires no cooking
  • A first-aid kit and needed medicines (consult your physician or pharmacist about storing medications and keep copies of your prescriptions.)
  • Emergency tools like a battery-powered radio, cell phones, flashlight and extra batteries.
  • Personal items like toilet paper and plastic garbage bags.
  • A portable emergency generator if possible.

Evacuation Plans

• Develop a home evacuation plan and practice it with your family and neighbors. Know what to do if you are instructed to evacuate your home or community.
  • Every child and other members of your family should know exactly how to get out of your home in case of fire or other emergency.
  • Find at least two ways out of each room in your home, if possible.
  • If you live in an apartment building, know the evacuation plan.
  • Agree on a place nearby to meet once everyone gets out of the house or apartment.
• Plan how to take care of pets. Remember that, with the exception of guide dogs, shelters usually do not allow pets.
• Learn how to shut off utilities such as gas, electricity and water.

Opening Mail

During recent events, it is important to teach your family and friends to be aware when opening the mail.

• Signs of suspicious mail include the following:
  • It is unexpected or from someone you don't know.
  • It is addressed to someone no longer at your address.
  • It is handwritten, has no return address, or bears a return address that you cannot confirm is legitimate.
  • It is lopsided or lumpy in appearance.
  • It has wires or other unusual contents that are protruding or can be felt through the envelope or wrapping.
  • It is sealed with excessive amounts of tape.
  • It is marked with restrictive endorsements such as "Personal" or "Confidential."
  • It has excessive postage.
• What you should do with a suspicious piece of mail:
  • Do not handle a letter or package that you suspect is contaminated.
  • Stay away from the package and don't shake it, bump it, or sniff it.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling.
• Notify local law enforcement authorities immediately.
  • Call Lakewood Police at 303-987-7111