Ready Fort Carson

Ready Fort Carson
is designed to ensure all personnel who live, visit and work on Fort Carson are prepared to respond to and recover from a wide array of disasters, natural and man-made. The State of Colorado has valuable information at www.readycolorado.com.

All of Fort Carson's residents have a role to play in emergency readiness. Do your part today by resolving to make a plan and make a difference.

Mass Notification System
Fort Carson has a mass notification system, a series of loud speakers around the installation which will announce audible warnings to alert the public of danger The system is tested monthly. Examples you may hear: "lightning warning," "thunderstorm warning," "high wind warning," "tornado warning," "winter storm warning," "flood or high water warning," "all clear," "emergency evacuation," "gate closure," "force protection exercise," "shelter in place" or "test."

Make a Plan
Being prepared means having a solid plan and access to the resources necessary to execute that plan. It's also about peace of mind. When communities, families and individuals are prepared, the fear, anxiety and loss that accompany a disaster are greatly reduced. People may need to survive on their own after a disaster.

Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. People could get help in hours, or it may take days. Basic services, such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones, may be cut off for days, even a week or longer. People may have to evacuate at a moment's notice and take essentials with them. Community members should prepare emergency kits for those situations. Keep items in airtight plastic bags and put the entire disaster supply kit in one or two easy-to carry containers, such as a backpack or duffel bag.

Ready Kits
A disaster supply kit should include essential food, water and supplies for at least three days (72 hours). This kit should be kept in a designated place and be ready to "grab and go" in case people have to leave their home quickly because of a disaster, such as a fire or flash flood. Make sure all household members know where the kit is kept. The Red Cross has several pre-packaged kits available for purchase at http://www.redcrossstore.org.

Shelter in Place
Shelter in place means taking temporary cover in a small interior room with few or no windows and sealing it off (e.g., with duct tape or plastic) to limit airflow into the room. It does not mean sealing off an entire home or office. Listen for updates from local authorities on whether or not to shelter-in-place.

Should an incident occur on Fort Carson and it is necessary, the Installation Operations Center will announce via the Fort Carson Mass Notification System with a message stating to "Shelter in Place." Before the shelter-in-place order is given, decide which room to shelter in. The room should be an above ground room (not the basement) with the fewest doors and windows. Cut plastic sheets to extend over windows and any ventilation openings such as a bathroom fan. Heavy-duty garbage bags will work if large enough. Test to ensure the plastic will completely cover the windows. Tape the plastic to cover the window opening. Once it is determined all plastic will fit over openings, store the plastic and tape. Understand how to turn off ventilation systems, including fans, heating and air conditioners. Practice shelter-in-place procedures each year.

Emergency instructions - shelter indoors
• If you are told to shelter in place, move or stay inside.
• Bring pets inside.
• Close all windows and outside doors.
• Close off nonessential rooms such as storage areas, laundry rooms and extra bedrooms.
• Turn off ventilation systems, including fans, heating and air conditioners.
• Tape plastic over ventilation openings.
• Tape door cracks.
• Place a damp towel or blanket at bottom of door opening.
• Go to an above-ground room (not the basement) with the fewest doors and windows.
• Close the window shades, blinds or curtains. Stay away from windows and other outside openings.
• Seal room so contaminants cannot enter.
• Avoid eating or drinking food or water that may be contaminated.
• Come out of building only when emergency personnel say it is safe. When the all clear is given, open all doors and windows, go outside until your home/office is well ventilated.

Emergency instructions - Evacuation
• Emergency personnel will order an evacuation if necessary based on type and amount of chemical released and how long it may impact an area.
• If you have time, seal and close your home or business.
• Turn off ventilation systems, including fans, heating and air conditioners.
• Follow evacuation routes given. No shortcuts; you may drive into harms' way.
• Help your neighbors who may require special assistance, frail, elderly, and people with disabilities
• Lock the doors.
• Do not use the telephone unless you have an emergency.
• If you have no transportation and you are ordered to evacuate, contact the first responders and inform them know you need help to evacuate.
• Move quickly and calmly to the evacuation shelter or muster area. after Evacuation - returning Home/Work
• Return home/work only when emergency personnel say it is safe.
• Follow local instructions for food and water safety.
• Clean and dispose of residue carefully. Follow instructions from emergency officials concerning clean-up methods.

Workplace
It is important to store a personal supply of water and food at work; don't rely on water fountains or coolers. Women who wear high heels should have comfortable flat shoes at their workplace in case an evacuation requires walking long distances. All items should be in one container, ready to "grab and go" if the building must be evacuated quickly.

On the road
People should keep a smaller kit of emergency supplies, including food and water, in their car at all times. If they become stranded or are not able to return home, having these items will help them to be more comfortable until help arrives. Add items for severe winter weather during months when heavy snow or icy roads are possible such as salt, sand, shovels, extra winter clothing, hats and gloves. This kit should also include flares and jumper cables.

Some Weather information Many Soldiers and civilians do not understand road conditions, reporting procedures and common definitions: road Conditions AMBER: One or more of the following conditions exists:

• Roads are mostly snow packed and/or icy in spots.
• Snow is falling at a rate causing accumulation on the road but is being cleared adequately by snow removal assets.
• Road conditions would cause moderate and possibly hazardous delays to drivers.
• Conditions are such that for maximum safety and to prevent accidents it is best to eliminate as much unnecessary traffic as possible. road Conditions RED: One or more of the following conditions exists:
• Roads are snow packed or covered or are extremely icy in spots.
• Snow is falling at a rate that exceeds Fort Carson's ability to adequately and quickly clear the roads.
• High winds and snowfall are causing zero or near-zero visibility conditions.
• Average snow accumulation on roadways has exceeded four inches.
• Conditions would cause lengthy and dangerous delays to drivers.
• Operating nonessential activities would cause unnecessary hazardous driving conditions to the community. some Common Definitions

Mission-essential personnel: During severe weather some agencies and routine events must remain open. The personnel required to execute these functions are considered mission essential. Basically, personnel would be mission-essential personnel if any of the following applies: life, safety and health. The proposed mission essential functions assumed needed during severe weather to meet the garrison commander's guidance (life, health and safety) are listed below.

• Limited medical functions; all external clinics closed
• Normal firefighter services
• Utilities services staffing and snow removal
• Provost Marshal desk operations, patrols, traffic investigator, Military Police Investigations
• Reduced food service; limited mid-day commissary
• Unit level security (staff duty and charge of quarters)
• Gate guards (close low usage gates 5 and 20)
• Installation Operation Center watch personnel
• Personnel deemed essential in accordance with unit commanders.

Delayed reporting: This is implemented when it has been determined road conditions are aMbEr or rED. Soldiers and civilian employees must understand Fort Carson roads may be cleared but those within their living area aren't. Data is gathered from all possible sources before this decision is made (Colorado Springs Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, Department of Transportation, etc.). When the decision is made, one of the following courses of action is issued:

• Off-post personnel do not report for duty.
• Only mission-essential off-post personnel report for duty.
• Off-post personnel delayed reporting. (Recommend a report time.)
• Off-post personnel report at the regular time. (No announcement is made.)

Early release: To safely manage the flow of personnel and vehicles off post, personnel will be released in a staggered manner as follows:
• First released are personnel who live more than 15 miles from Fort Carson.
• 30 minutes later: Second released are those who live between five and 15 miles from Fort Carson.
• 30 minutes later (one hour after first group): Third released are those who live within five miles of Fort Carson. Supervisors will determine which category each employee or Soldier is in and assist with early release.

Fort Carson also maintains a POST SEVERE WEATHER HOTLINE. During non-duty hours, personnel wishing to find out the status of duty hours, times of arrival, and the post closure status can call (719) 526-0096.

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