Citizen Emergency Preparedness
Power outages and weather-related events happen.
For more information about being prepared for emergencies, check out these links:
- FEMA Guide to Emergency Preparedness
- The National
Hurricane Survival Initiative - because hurricanes - and their aftermath - are not
unknown to the Northeast
- New York State Emergency Management Office - Homepage
- New York State Emergency Management Office - Be Prepared for an Emergency
- Niagara Mohawk on storm safety,
and planting and maintaining trees near power lines on your property
- Niagara Mohawk guide on preparedness for energy outages (Adobe Acrobat document, five pages)
- Oswego County Emergency Management Office Emergency Planning page
-
Oswego County Emergency Emergency Planning and You booklet
(Adobe Acrobat document, 453 K) - U.S. Department of Homeland Security Citizen Preparedness
Fire Prevention
Grass and Brush Fires
If you are thinking about burning brush or leaves, PLEASE remember the following:
- keep the fire small
- have a hose nearby
- do not burn on windy or breezy days
- have a phone close at hand to call Fire Control EARLY if the fire spreads beyond your ability to control it
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) web page also has suggestions from the Forest Rangers on fire safety outdoors:
...and, of course, always remember Smokey Bear and his fire safety tips:
Links for fire weather conditions and forecasts can be found on the Other Links page.
Hydrants in West Monroe
Did you know that West Monroe has hydrants?
In the parts of West Monroe served by public water, there are the kind of hydrants you are used to seeing. In other parts of town where there are water bodies (such as streams and ponds), West Monroe has what are called 'dry hydrants' - hydrants that only have water in them when a fire truck is connected and pumping water out of them.
When needed, these hydrants are only useful when the fire department can get to them. And that's where you come in. The fire department does its best to keep these hydrants cleared. But if there is a hydrant or a dry hydrant near you, your time spent in helping keep them shovelled out makes all of us safer.
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Hydrant
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Hydrant under snow
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Dry hydrant
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Dry hydrant under snow
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Assisting Our Emergency Response
If you hear the siren of an emergency vehicle - fire, ambulance, or police - or see the flashing lights, PLEASE pull over to the shoulder and come to a stop. This applies whether the emergency vehicle is approaching from in front of you, from behind you, or from your side.
It's not just a good idea... it's the law!
New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, Section 1144:
Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle... the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway, or to either edge of a one-way roadway three or more lanes in width, clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
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