Are You Prepared for La Niña? #OKwx #AltusOK

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released their Winter Outlook , which predicts La Niña conditions that favor a warmer, drier South and a cooler, wetter North. Winter storms can occur anywhere and bring freezing rain, ice, snow, high winds or a combination of all these conditions. They can cause power outages that last for days or weeks; making it hard to keep warm and making travel very dangerous. Prepare now in case a winter storm hits, and you are home for several days without power and heat. Gather emergency supplies, make a family emergency communication plan, and discuss emergency notifications and expectations with your workplace and/or schools. Install battery-powered or battery back-up carbon monoxide detectors. If you have a generator, keep it outside and have an electric cord long enough to keep the generator at least 20 feet from any door, window, or vent. Make specific plans for how you will avoid driving. Be alert to changing weather conditions using local alerts, radio, and other news sources for information and instructions. Find additional tips by visiting the America’s PrepareAthon! Winter Storm section and downloading the How to Prepare for a Winter Storm Guide.

Make a Fire Escape Plan #AltusOK #OKfire

More than 15,925 people were injured by fire in the United States in 2013, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. If a fire breaks out in your home, you may have as little as two minutes to safely escape once the alarm sounds. Planning can help protect you, your family, and your home when seconds count. Here are a few steps to help keep your family fire safe: Check that all smoke alarms are working properly; Make a map of your home and mark all windows and doors through which you may escape; Choose a meeting place outside the home where firefighters can see you and your family; Write the emergency telephone number for your fire department on your escape plan; Practice your fire escape drill; and Keep your fire escape plan in a common area where everyone can see it, i.e. refrigerator. For more information about protecting your family and developing a fire escape plan, check out the home fire escape materials from the U.S. Fire Administration.

Webinar: Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month through Community Preparedness #AltusOK

Webinar: Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month through Community Preparedness

In observance of National Native American Heritage Month, FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Division and the Office of External Affairs, Tribal Affairs will host a webinar on Wednesday, November 30 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET focusing on disaster preparedness and resilience efforts serving tribal communities. You’ll hear several leaders who have worked to put preparedness into action by developing successful community-based initiatives and receive related program resources.

Title:  Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month through Community Preparedness

Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Time: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)

Featured Speakers:                                 

• Tim Zientek, Director of Emergency Management, Potawatomi Nation
• Jeff Hansen, Director of Emergency Management, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
• Hailey Starr and Sarah Clark, Muckleshoot Tribal School
• Milo Booth, National Tribal Affairs Advisor,  Office of External Affairs, FEMA

How to Join the Webinar: 

• Connect using Adobe Connect registration web link.
• Be sure to test your Adobe Connect connection prior to the meeting.
• This webinar will offer closed captioning. 

We hope that you will be able to join us on November 30!