Emergency Shelters and Preparedness Tips

Emergency Shelters and Preparedness Tips

by cathleen timmons

Commitment to Our Community

Help Us Help Neighbors with Health & Hygiene Needs
By Einar Jensen, Risk Reduction Coordinator

Evergreen Fire/Rescue

Did you know Evergreen Christian Outreach (EChO) assisted over 20% of our community in 2023? That assistance included mental health referrals, substance abuse referrals, firewood, rent assistance, sheltering under-sheltered individuals and families, and offering food and other products at its food pantry.

We support EChO because of its commitment to risk reduction in our community. EChO’s personnel are great partners and neighbors.

This month our support will take the form of leading a Health & Hygiene Product Drive for the EChO Food Pantry. We’d like your help, too. Please bring any of the following products to our Drive on February 24 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Fire Station #2 in Bergen Park (1802 Bergen Parkway).

• Adult Diapers

• Child Diapers

• Tampons/Pads

• Toothpaste

• Toothbrushes

• Deodorant

• Razors

• Shampoo

• Conditioner

• Laundry Soap

• Cash

When you arrive, you will drive into the fire station where EFR personnel will gather your donations.

As we did with the October Food Drive and December Ham Drive, together we can help make a difference for EChO and many more families and individuals in our great mountain community.

For information on other aspects of our commitment to our community, visit www.evergreenfirerescue.com.

PLAN FOR AN EMERGENCY!!  THIS MAY BE YOUR BEST DEFENSE!!

Take advantage of the information provided by organizations in your area who can help, and MAKE your plan. Write it down. Review it.

Jefferson County and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office provide detailed guides to help you plan for an emergency:

Jefferson County Emergency Preparedness Guide

Jefferson County Sheriff’s 72 hour Emergency Guide

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Map for Evacuation of Large Animals

thumbnail of Rescue_PosterComplete a Save Our Pets form
for each of your pets.

(Click on the thumbnail for pdf)

Choose an obvious location to leave the “Save our Pets” forms, where they can be found easily and protected from rain or wind. You could place them in a “zip” bag and tape to your door or attach a small mail box to an outside wall. When you call Animal Control to go to your home, tell them where they can find the information.

Consider your concerns for privacy and decide if it is right for you to form a small group of neighbors, where one or two might have the phone numbers of relatives, work, or friends who could help (if you are away and an emergency arises), as well as information about your animals. Unfortunately, because most people do not keep the information current on the “Save Me” stickers for pets, the stickers are not always helpful to animal rescue persons.

 

IN CASE OF EVACUATION

Should you be asked to evacuate during an emergency, such as a fire, many organizations are positioned to aid you, your family, and your animals. Activated by Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the animal related help (depending on the need) might come from several local or national organizations. Following are a few of the web sites of major or local organizations that provide information for disaster preparation for you and your family, including pets and livestock.

In addition, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office gives a map of where to take large animals.   Many of our local motels allow pets. Plan ahead which hotel or lodge you would go to and check their policy regarding animals.  Our Pet Friendly Housing page has some information that may help you find a place.

OTHER RESOURCES

JEFFERSON COUNTY ANIMAL EVACUATION.
Jefferson County’s disaster preparation is extensive, with the animal contingent of the County’s citizens being the responsibility of Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.  Jeffco Animal Evacuation

EVERGREEN ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEAGUE.
Trained volunteers will set up and maintain a temporary animal shelter for household pets, in close proximity to a Red Cross Shelter. Our telephone volunteers will answer your questions and direct your calls. (674-6442)

JEFFCO H.E.A.T. (Jefferson County Horse Evacuation Assistance Team.).
Trained volunteers that can remove and transport horses and larger livestock to safety. (303) 674-4669, 697-2185.  Jeffco H.E.A.T.

JEFFERSON COUNTY HORSE COUNCIL.
The Horse Council cares for the horses and large livestock delivered to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds by rescue groups. Visit jeffcohorse.org.

ANIMAL EVACUATION VOLUNTEERS. (AEV)
Trained volunteers who can rescue and transport household pets using specially equipped trailers. (303) 838-4645, or visit www.animalEVAC.org

FOOTHILLS ANIMAL SHELTER.
Pets rescued from evacuated areas will be transported to Foothills Animal Shelter and held from harm’s way. (303) 278-7575. 580 McIntyre St., Golden, CO  Foothils Animal Shelter

INTERMOUNTAIN HUMANE SOCIETY.
Park County residents can receive help from IMHS. Visit their web site, www.imhs.org. (303) 838-2668.

YOU CAN HELP BEFORE AN EMERGENCY TOO!

Volunteer. But do it now, while there are training opportunities. Most emergency rescue workers appreciate your offer for help at the time of the disaster, but if you are not trained, it isn’t likely they can accept your help. Visit web sites or call the phone numbers listed for information about volunteering.

Financially support the organization(s) of your choice. It will help them be there when they are needed.

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