This page contains information on the following topics:

	Disaster and Terrorist Related Emergency Preparedness
	Emergency Shelters
	Emergency Sirens
	School Closings
	Utility Emergencies: Electricity, Gas, or Water

Please read the following disaster and terrorist related emergency information:

Emergency management experts and the Red Cross recommend the following in case of a terrorist-related national emergency, many of these items are the very same things considered essential as preparations for natural disasters.

	Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.
	Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to carry waterproof container.  [Suggested
	Make a disaster or emergency plan for you family.
	Possible containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duffle bag.

Clothing and Bedding: (One change of clothing and footwear per person.)

	Bedding or sleeping bags for each person.
	Hat and gloves
	Rainwear
	Sturdy shoes
	Thermal underwear

Cooking Implements and Supplies:  

	Cooking pot that won't melt over an open fire
	Large wooden spoon
	Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils.*
	Non-electric can opener*
	Small hibachi grill with charcoal briquettes and matches, or several cans of Sterno

First-aid kit: 

	Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
	Adhesive tape
	Antacids
	Anti-diarrhea medicine
	Antiseptic spray and antiseptic ointment
	Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever*
	Cleansing agent/soap*
	Ipecac syrup  (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
	Latex gloves (2 pairs)
	Laxatives
	Medicine dropper
	Rubbing alcohol
	Safety pins, assorted sizes in a small plastic box
	Scissors
	Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
	Sterile gauze pads (4-6) 2-inch size
	Sterile gauze pads (4-6) 4-inch size
	Sterile roller bandages (3 rolls) 2-inch size
	Sterile roller bandages (3 rolls) 3-inch size
	Sunscreen
	Thermal emergency blanket
	Thermometer
	Tongue blades (2)
	Triangular bandages (3)
	Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
	Tweezers

Foods: 

	Canned goods
	Died foods like beef jerky.
	Healthy snacks like trail mix, raisins and nuts.
	Nonperishable foods like nutrition bars with protein and carbohydrates; peanut butter; dried fruit.
	Vitamin supplements

Keep your emergency food supply in a plastic container in the driest, coolest location in your home. If water is limited, try to avoid salty foods, which cause thirst. Prepare a food supply that could last two weeks, even though most any foreseeable emergency probably won’t last that long.

Heating, Lighting and Power Supplies: 

	For warmth, a portable catalytic heater, a staple for outdoor-minded vacationers, would be effective for indoor use. They heat enclosed spaces quickly and safely, without open flames and are generally priced under $200.
	Battery powered camping lights and candles are good for providing light for short periods of time but with candles, care must be taken to prevent accidents and fires.
	For emergency power in your home, portable generators are available from $500 to $3,000. Electrical generators can be safely used indoors and out. You charge them up while power’s available; when power’s out, you can plug appliances into the generator. But electrical generators usually have lower wattage, and will power fewer devices. Gasoline generators need ventilation, so indoor use isn’t recommended, but they’re generally more powerful than electrical generators.

Sanitation supplies:

	Disinfectant*
	Facial tissue1 box
	Feminine supplies*
	Household chlorine bleach
	Plastic bucket with tight lid
	Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)*
	Soap, liquid detergent*
	Toilet paper (1 roll per person), moistened towelettes*

Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members: 

	Diapers and formula or prescription medical supplies.
	If you or members of your family are physically handicapped, stock extra batteries and tire sealants for wheelchairs or motorized scooters; store disaster supplies with large-print letters or in Braille if you are blind or visually impaired
	Keep pads and pencils at the ready with information on sign language if you are deaf or speech-impaired.

Tools and Other Supplies: 

	Aluminum foil
	Battery-powered NOAA Weather radio and extra batteries*
	Cash or traveler's checks, change*
	Compass*
	Copies of important family documents
	Credit card
	Duct tape*
	Emergency preparedness manual*
	Extra pair of prescription glasses
	Extra set of car keys
	Fire extinguisher (small canister ABC type)
	Flashlight and extra batteries.* Consider flashlights with krypton or halogen bulbs, which offer brighter illumination and longer bulb life.
	Lightweight portable tool kit* (i.e. pliers, utility knife and scissors)
	Map of the area (for locating shelters)
	Matches in a waterproof container
	Multipurpose tool, such as a Swiss Army knife*
	Paper notepad and pencil
	Plastic sheeting*
	Plastic Storage containers
	Signal flares
	Small sewing kit or a needle and thread
	Travelers checks
	Tube tent
	Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
	Whistle

Water: Emergency agencies recommend stockpiling one gallon per person per day*, for each family member. People at normal activity levels need to drink at least two quarts a day; more is needed in warm climates, and by children, pregnant women, nursing mothers and those with health conditions. Store it in sealed containers, like plastic soda bottles, that won’t easily break.

Written instructions on how to turn off gas, electricity and water if authorities advise you to do so.

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 Some people have stocked up on the following items, which experts would not discourage but which are considered beyond what’s absolutely necessary:

Electronic home security systems: Russell Kormann, a psychologist and associate director of Rutgers University’s Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders Program, says the sales boost in home security systems, like products marketed by ADT and Brinks, "is more psychological than anything else. Now, a terrorist isn’t coming to John Q. Public’s house; he’s going to go blow up a bomb downtown," Kormann says. "But a security system gives you something you can actively do. It increases a person’s sense of safety."

Gas masks and chemical suits: People should not be scared into buying gas masks and chemical suits, says Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that state and local health departments will keep the public informed about what to do in the event of a biological or chemical attack. An attack is more likely to occur in a large concentrated area rather than in the home, so the chance that someone would have a gas mask or a chemical suit at the time of the attack would be small.

Potassium iodide: This is used to prevent thyroid cancer by shielding the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine. Potassium iodide blocks no other form of radiation, and protects no other organs of the human body. In a November 2001 report, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, while admitting that potassium iodide is "safe" and would "be effective in reducing the risk of thyroid cancer," also cautioned that it can have side effects, including gastrointestinal disturbances and allergic reactions.

Water purification kits: MSNBC terrorism expert Steve Emerson said it would be difficult for terrorists to contaminate a major reservoir. The amount of chemical or biological agents necessary to do so would be hard to obtain. However, other types of disasters - a burst dam or a compromised sewage treatment facility - could make these kits useful.

Source: MSNBC research, American Red Cross, FEMA, Rutgers University.

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Emergency Shelters for the City of Alvarado: 

	The Hillside Baptist Church 5525 East Hwy 67 & County Road 810    Phone  817-790-7514
	The Senior Citizen's Center  201 East College Ave. & Friou Street    Phone 817-783-8481
	The First United Methodist Church 301 S. Spears Street & Atchley St.   Phone 817-790-3101
	City Hall 104 W. College Avenue Phone 817-790-3351.

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Emergency Sirens:

The City of Alvarado operates 3 "Outdoor Warning Sirens" strategically located throughout the city:

1. 1111 Glenwood Drive

2. 400 Elwood Drive

3. 800 Rusk Street

The purpose of these sirens is to alert citizens when the possibility of danger is approaching due to severe weather, chemical accidents, and national defense. The sirens are located on 45’ wooden poles and operate on A/ C power with a battery back up. The sirens are activated and monitored from city’s 911- Communication Center.

Siren Activation

When siren activation occurs:

1.  Move indoors 

2. Tune in to a television or local radio station for further information. 

During severe weather, seek shelter in a sturdy room with a battery powered radio. Tune to radio station KCLE RADIO 1140 AM for local information. The National Weather Service (NWS) will also issue warnings over radio, television, and weather radios. It is recommended all individuals and businesses purchase a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio with battery back up and tone alert. Weather radios should include the Specific Area Message Encoding (S. A. M. E.) feature, which only allows for warnings in Johnson County.

Siren Tones

The following is a list of warning tones produced by the sirens, a description of each tone, and when the tone will be used.

Steady Tone

The steady tone is used to alert the public of severe weather. The tone pattern will rise to its peak and maintain full strength without declining for three minutes. The steady tone will be used for tornadoes, large hail (one inch or greater), and straight- line winds (58 mph or greater).

Wail Tone

The wail tone is used to alert the public of hazardous chemical spills or other serious incidents. The tone pattern will slowly rise to its peak and decline to its minimum repeatedly for three minutes. Sirens may be activated only in the area affected by the emergency situation. Instructions to take shelter or evacuate will be broadcast over radio and television, or delivered door to door by emergency workers.

Fast Wail

The fast wail is used to alert the public if the United States is under attack. The tone pattern will rise and decline much faster than the wail tone for three minutes. National television and radio media will air information concerning national defense.

Monthly Testing

Sirens are tested each month on the first Monday at 1: 00 p. m., the city’s Outdoor Warning System will be tested. The severe weather Steady Tone will be activated for two minutes. At this time no action is necessary. Should severe weather be in the area during the time of the monthly test, the test will be postponed until the following month.

Preparedness

Please take the time to discuss the Outdoor Warning Sirens with children in the home so they can take proper action should it be necessary. It is important for every business and household to have an emergency plan in place prior to an actual emergency. Remember to practice the plan regularly. Make sure each family member knows what to do in the event of an emergency. 

For more information on emergency planning, contact:
Office of Emergency Management
City of Alvarado 
104 West College
Alvarado, TX 76009
817-790-3351

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School Closings:

School closing decisions for the AISD are reported to the following television stations:

4 (KDFW)    5 (KXAS)    8 (WFAA)    11 (KTVT)

School closing decisions are also reported to radio station - 820AM WBAP

Utility Emergencies:

Gas Emergencies-

If you suspect a gas leak - leave your dwelling and call TXU at 800-817-8090

If your gas heater suddenly stops working - call TXU at 800-817-8090 or the City of Alvarado at 817-790-3351.
If for some reason the gas is turned off by the gas company during an emergency situation, the gas company will have to go door to door to get the gas turned back on.

If you do leave your home to seek shelter for the night,  the gas company will leave a tag on your door asking that you call them to come back to your home. The gas company will need to relight your furnace or hot water heater before you re-enter your home.

If you need a ride to one of the local shelters please call one of the numbers listed for an emergency shelter. 

If you have elderly or sick neighbors that need to be checked on please call one of the numbers listed for the city's emergency shelters and someone will go to their home to see if they need assistance or a ride to an emergency shelter.