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One of the primary goals of the City of Watauga is to provide a safe and secure City.  To meet this goal, the City has an Emergency Management Plan; Officers in police, fire and emergency medical response who are available at all times; HazMat trained professionals on staff; and reciprocal agreements with other agencies to provide additional services during emergencies.

In addition, the City of Watauga has an extensive experience in dealing with major emergencies and disasters.  Safety training and drills take place on a regular basis in many different departments outside of the Fire and Police Departments to assure that the staff is prepared to use proper procedures in an emergency situation.

Due to recent events and the immense publicity about possible exposure to biochemical and other hazards, citizens are understandably concerned about emergency management preparedness and safety.  During a City-wide emergency such as a tornado or other hazardous situations, the City of Watauga will sound the warning sirens and then activate the City's 1670 AM radio station to provide information to the citizens.  The City may also activate the CodeRed® Program to notify residents of important safety information.

The Mayor is responsible for developing and implementing the Emergency Management Plan for the City of Watauga.  The plan is developed with four major concepts in mind.  Those concepts are Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery.  These concepts will be utilized in the most efficient, safe and timely manner when handling natural disasters, manmade emergencies, and homeland security.

MITIGATION - those activities that eliminate or reduce the probability of disaster.

PREPAREDNESS - those activities which government, organizations, and individuals develop to save lives and minimize damage.

RESPONSE - those activities that follow a disaster and are designed to prevent loss of lives and property as well as provide emergency assistance.

RECOVERY - short and long term activities which return all systems to normal or as close to normal as possible.

Any one of these situations could require response from other agencies as well as the City of Watauga.  The City will be able to function in a mutual capacity with other agencies should a major event occur within our City.

Prior to a City-wide disaster when notice to citizens is possible, the City will activate a precautionary evacuation as follows:

• Authorize the broadcast of radio message(s) on the City's 1670 AM radio station or access the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) using established procedures.

• Coordinate with law enforcement agencies to release evacuation instruction through patrol car and helicopter public address systems and door-to-door contact, as appropriate, if evacuation is necessary and advise the public not to return to the evacuation area until told to do so.

• Release information about school evacuation (in coordination with school officials).

• Authorize television broadcast of evacuation maps and script.

• Encourage people to visit friends or relatives outside the potential hazard are, if possible.

• Release special instructions for those evacuating pets (animals will not be allowed in mass care facilities).

• Broadcast information on:

1. Locations of emergency medical aid stations and mass care facilities.

2. Gas stations remaining open.

3. Caution media about potential dangers and traffic controls or other restrictions in evacuation area.

4. Release information on the number of persons being housed and fed at mass care facilities.

5. Indicate curfews and travel restrictions in effect within evacuation area.

During a disaster, the following types of information shall be provided to the public as soon as possible in as much detail as possible:

1. Nature of disaster

2. Location of disaster

3. Time of disaster

4. Number of casualties, if any

5. Identification, age, sex, address of casualties (pending next of kin notification)

6. Nature and severity of injuries

7. Condition of casualties and where treated

8. Agencies involved in response

9. Scope of agency involvement

10. Places of contact for mission relatives

11. Restricted areas

The following publications are available at the Watauga Public Library:

• "Are You Ready" (Publication #34)

• "Taking Shelter From the Storm" (Publication #320)

Both of these publication are available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  You may read these publications at the Library or order your own copy from FEMA by calling (800) 480-2520.

The Watauga Public Library has several Internet computers available to the public. Staff will be glad to assist you in locating these websites.  Printouts may be made for ten centers per page.  Contact the Reference Desk at (817) 514-5865 for more information.

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