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New Canaan Emergency Information |
In New Canaan emergency preparedness responsibility is vested in the Town's typical emergency services including the Police Department, Fire Department, Emergency Medical services, Pubic Works, Public Health and the local chapter of the American Red Cross. In addition, the Town has appointed a Director of Emergency Preparedness who defines and coordinates the critical Town services with the other local, regional, state and federal agencies. Monthly, the Director of Emergency Preparedness hosts a public meeting to discuss recent developments in the Town's preparedness posture. All members of the emergency services and the public are invited to join in these discussions. Inasmuch as the gathering has no decision making responsibilities the matters discussed are for the information of the attendees. All residents who would like to be notified by email of these meetings may call the Director at . |
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Animal Control |
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Fire Company |
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Poison Control |
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Police Dept. |
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Public Works |
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Adequate preparation for emergencies is absolutely necessary for the protection of your homes and property, your family and yourself. You can begin this process by discussing with family members the types of emergencies that have happened in the past. Discuss what each member of your family should do in an emergency both when they are at home and away from home. Being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany disasters. Families and individuals should know what to do in the event of a fire and where to seek shelter during a tornado. The need to prepare for diasters is real and disasters disrupt the lives of hundreds of thousands each year and each one has lasting effects on people and property. |
Many disasters happen without warning. Take time to plan how to protect and provide for yourself, your family, and your pets in the event of an emergency or disaster. The best way to learn how to prepare yourself and your family is to enroll in the New Canaan CERT program (Community Emergency Response Team). The training is free of cost and over 200 residents have received this training in the last three years. Click to Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). A plan should have three important things: - A Meeting Place - Pick a location within walking distance of your home where your family members can meet in case you get separated or have to evacuate. For example, a local park or playground.
- An Out of Area Contact - During a disaster, you may not be able to make local phone calls, but you CAN call out of the area. Pick a family member or friend to serve as your family's Out-of-Area contact. In the event of an emergency or disaster, you can call your Out-of-Area contact and tell them you're safe, where you are, and where you are going. Your Out-of-Area contact can then share this information with other family members who call. All family members should have the phone number of your Out-of-Area contact with them at all times.
- An Emergency Supply Kit - Enough supplies to last three days as a minimum, but for even longer is better! Build a kit for home, for your car, and for your work. Remember to make sure your child is prepared for school.
Practice, practice, practice! The more you practice your emergency plan, the more likely you are to remember it in times of disaster. Build a Kit How comfortable do YOU want yourself and your family to be if First Responders can't get to you in an emergency? During a disaster, it takes at least three days or more for Emergency Officials to make sure the area is safe, and if it isn't, the First Responders may not be able to get to you even if you call 911. As a result, you and your family need to build a 72-hour Emergency Supply Kit so you will be safe in case of disaster. Here's what you need: - Water: 1 gallon per person per day
- Food: nonperishable canned goods with can opener, granola bars, protein bars, "comfort" foods like cookies or hard candy
- NOAA Tone Alert Weather radio
- Extra set of clothes with sturdy shoes
- Flashlight with extra batteries or light stick
- Whistle
- First Aid kit including a three-day supply of prescription drugs
- Entertainment items like a deck of cards
- Shelter-in-Place supplies like duct tape and plastic
- Cash: ATM's won't operate if power is out
- Put together small versions for the office, school and car
- Remember, emergency supply kits should be designed to fit your needs
Shelter-in-Place It is important to listen to Emergency Officials during a disaster because directions they give will likely save your life. One direction Emergency Officials may give is to "Shelter-in-Place". This is likely advised during a hazardous incident. Shelter-in-Place should only be enacted when directed by emergency officials. Know what to do to Shelter-in-Place: - Pick out a designated interior "safe room" ahead of time. This room should have the fewest doors and windows. Your emergency supplies should be stored inside your safe room or be easily accessible nearby.
- If directed by emergency officials to shelter-in-place, go inside immediately and close all doors and windows. Cover your mouth and nose with a wet cloth.
- Turn off vetilation systems. Close fireplace dampers.
- Go to your safe room and use plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal all windows, doors, and vents.
- Dampen towels and place in the crack under door.
- Listen for Emergency Alert System messages on radio or television outlets.
- Wait for additional instructions. Emergency officials will tell you when it is safe to air out your building.
Know where to go if Shelter-in-Place order is issued: - If at home, work or school: stay inside and shelter-in-place.
- If outdoors, go into a building or vehicle and shelter-in-place.
- If in a parked car, shelter-in-place inside the vehicle. Do not start the engine. Close all doors, windows, events, and ventilation systems. Turn your radio on to listen for Emergency Alert System messages.
- If driving, continue to do so unless otherwise directed by emergency officials or traffic control. Shelter-in-place as you would for a parked vehicle. If your vehicle stalls, do not restart the engine.
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If you or someone close to you has a disability or a special need, you may have to take additional steps to protect yourself and your family in an emergency. Disability/Special Need - Additional Steps Visually impaired - May be extremely reluctant to leave familiar surroundings when the request for evacuation comes from a stranger. A guide dog could become confused or disorientated in a disaster. People who are blind or partially sighted may have to depend on others to lead them, as well as their dog, to safety during a disaster.Identify an out-of-state friend or relative as a contact person for everyone to call. Mobility impaired - May need special assistance to get to a shelter. Single working parent - May need help to plan for disasters and emergencies. Non-English speaking persons - May need help to plan for and responding to emergencies. Community and cultural groups may be able to help keep people informed. People with special dietary needs - Should take special precautions to have an adequate emergency food supply. People with mental retardation - May need help responding to emergencies and getting to a shelter. People with dementia - Should be registered in the Alzheimer's Association Safe Return Program If you have special needs: Find out about special assistance that may be available in New Canaan by calling Human Services at Vine Cottage at . |
During and right after a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury or damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause fire is a home hazard. Check for items such as bookcases, hanging pictures, or overhead lights that could fall in an earthquake or a flood and block an escape path. |
Have a plan for getting out of your home or building (ask your family or friends for assistance, if necessary). Also, plan two evacuation routes because some roads may be closed or blocked in a disaster. - Create a network of neighbors, relatives, friends, and coworkers to aid you in an emergency. Discuss your needs and make sure everyone knows how to operate necessary equipment.
- Discuss your needs with your employer.
- If you are mobility impaired and live or work in a high-rise building, have an escape chair.
- If you live in an apartment building, ask the management to mark accessible exits clearly and to make arrangements to help you leave the building.
- Keep specialized items ready, including extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen, catheters, medication, prescriptions, food for service animals, and any other items you might need.
- Be sure to make provisions for medications that require refrigeration.
- Keep a list of the type and model numbers of the medical devices you require.
- Wear medical alert tags or bracelets to identify your disability.
- Know the location and availability of more than one facility if you are dependent on a dialysis machine or other life-sustaining equipment or treatment.
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Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs (FEMA 476)
(PDF 732 KB) Available in Spanish (PDF 601 KB)
Emergency preparedness information from DisabilityInfo.gov
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Public meetings are held at Town Hall on the second Thursdays of each month at 10:00 AM. Below is the 2008 meeting schedule.
January 10 |
July 10 |
February 14 |
August 14 |
March 13 |
September 11 |
April 10 |
October 9 |
May 8 |
November 13 |
June 12 |
December 11 | | |
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