Emergency Services Management - ManMade Disasters - Media - Essay Example

Press ment - Wildland Fire threat to the town of Everyville July From the Office of the Mayor, Everyville For Immediate and for Urgent attention 1. A major wildland fire has broken out in the scrublands to the west of Everyville. The fire is at present about 130 miles from our town. The USDA Forest Service has deployed their firefighters to contain and manage the fire (Artley, 2009). A map showing the location of the fire and an aerial photograph of the site is being released with this statement. 2. The Forest Service has notified us that there is significant risk of the wildfire spreading to Everyville town.

With the present wind conditions and the dry nature of the scrub grass, the Forest Service estimates that the wildfire could reach the western perimeter of our town in 8 to 12 hours. Smoke and soot content in air could rapidly increase 1 to 2 hours prior to the fire reaching the perimeter of our town. 3. As a safety measure, I have ordered the evacuation initially of the western suburbs of Everyville consisting of the areas west of the canal. Evacuation of additional areas may become necessary as we track the advancement of the wildfire.

The areas identified for immediate evacuation are shown in the attached map. 4. The evacuation will begin in approximately 1 hour from now and should be completed in a maximum of 2 hours. Police and fire service personnel are being deployed in the area to assist in the evacuation. I request all citizens to help these civic employees, who are putting their lives at risk, to do their jobs effectively. Failure to comply with instructions from police or fire services personnel would be treated as a criminal offence. 5. Carry only the minimum essentials with you when you evacuate your home.

These essentials are shown in the simple chart below. In addition carry sleeping bags and change of clothing for each family member and some food and drinking water to supplement what is being arranged at the refuge centers. . You can use your own cars or trucks to move to the refuge areas or use the transport vehicles that have been arranged by the civic authorities. The police and fire service personnel would provide guidance. [Image from Encinitas, (2015)]6. The refuge areas identified in the town of Everyville are the Civic Center, The Church of St.

Andrews, and the High School. The location of these refuge areas are shown on the map released with this statement. Each of these places is away from the western perimeter of the town and has adequate covered space for people and open spaces for parking. Spaces have also been earmarked for pets. Volunteers have been positioned at each of these buildings to assign spaces and to help people settle in. Some arrangements for food and water are also being made. Doctors and nurses from the town hospital will be available to provide medical assistance if needed (CWPP, 2008).

No livestock such as cattle, sheep or horses have been reported as present in Everyville. If you have any livestock, please contact the help center for guidance on their safety. 7. Before you leave your home, close all windows and doors but do not lock them to permit easy access by fire safety people in case of requirement. Leave lights on. Shut off propane or other gas lines (Deschutes County Evacuation Guide, n.d.). Check whether any of your immediate neighbors require assistance in evacuation. 8. Radio and Television channels would provide continuous updates on the wildfire threat to Everyville.

A number of toll-free telephone lines have also been set up which can be called for information, to report a problem or to seek assistance. The phone numbers are listed below. Text messages can also be sent to these telephones. Updates would also be available through the internet on mobile phones and other portable computing devices. All citizens outside immediate evacuation area should monitor communications on these channels and to be prepared for evacuation when so directed. As soon as we have information from the Forest Service that the wildfire outbreak has been is contained, people would be permitted to return home. 9. With your help and the efforts of the police and fire service personnel, I am confident that the town of Everyville will be able to manage this threat without any loss of life or property.

Thank you. References:1. CWPP, (2008). “Community Guide to Preparing and Implementing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan”, August 2008. Retrieved on July 1, 2015 from