County Emergency Management Commander Beverley Simpson

By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

With the Russia invasion of Ukraine underway, readers have contacted the Los Alamos Daily Post with questions about safety in terms of civil defense and shelter plans in case of an emergency event within the community.

Los Alamos County Emergency Management Commander Beverley Simpson spoke to the Post this week about the County’s emergency response preparedness.

“We understand some Los Alamos County residents may be worried about the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. We want to confirm the County has not received any indication from State or Federal officials that there is a concern,” Simpson said. “If circumstances change, the County will take the necessary precautions and alert the public via CodeRed and the proper distribution channels. Los Alamos County works in partnership with LANL and Los Alamos Medical Center during planning and exercises, strengthening our response to any public emergency.”

CodeRed

The Los Alamos County CodeRED emergency notification system allows Emergency Management personnel to alert residents to an emergency in their area. Every resident is encouraged to sign up and include their family members at this is the fastest way to learn of an emergency and receive any important message alerts via land line, cell phone or email.

To sign up for this safety measure, visit the County’s website or click here. 

Los Alamos Chief of Police Dino Sgambellone

Los Alamos Police Chief Dino Sgambellone spoke with the Post Wednesday and addressed the emergency response preparedness of his department.

“LAPD employees receive training in emergency response, including stand-alone training and training with our community partners,” Chief Sgambellone said. “When we have relied on that training for real world events the PD has responded and performed exceptionally well.”

The Emergency Management section of the County’s website is a resource on how citizens can prepare themselves, their families and businesses for potential emergencies. The site also details safety plans and coordination between the County and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).

Information on the site details the fact that Los Alamos County Emergency Management is a separate entity from the LANL Emergency Management and Response. The County is a local jurisdiction responsible for the safety of all persons within its borders, whether or not they are employed by LANL. As a government-owned, contractor-operated facility, LANL has responsibilities to its employees.

The County is required by State and Federal laws to have an emergency operations plan (EOP). The EOP provides the framework for how the County will respond to and manage any disaster or emergency that affects the County. The County also is required to maintain its Hazard Mitigation Plan, which allows the County to apply for Hazard Mitigation grant funds should the need arise.

LANL is required by the Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration to have an emergency management plan (EMP) for incidents or emergencies that happen within LANL property.

In the event of a disaster, catastrophic emergency or event which engages both the County and LANL, both entities would operate under Unified Command to protect lives, property and the environment.

Los Alamos Fire Chief Troy Hughes

Los Alamos Fire Chief Troy Hughes discussed with the Post Wednesday the emergency response preparedness of his department.

“We really are fortunate to be so intertwined with the Department of Energy, NNSA and LANL,” Chief Hughes said. “All of our firefighters are well trained and Q cleared and part of that is we have access to some of the intelligence and that assists us in being better prepared. Not all communities are fortunate to have that kind of relationship to help in watching the skies so to speak.”

Emergency Guides

Simpson encourages residents to also prepare themselves, their families and businesses.

Emergency Guides available on the Emergency Management section of the County website provide safety and preparedness tips for a variety of populations:

Business Preparedness: Are You Ready? – Find out how to stay in business, protect your investment and your employees.​

Emergency Planning for Special Populations – Information that will get you started on planning for your facility or people with special needs.

​Emergency Plans for Day Care Centers – Does your child’s day program have one? If they don’t, here are some resources that can help.

​The County, the Lab and Emergencies – Many people ask the County OEM staff if we “work for the lab”. Get the facts here.

​Hazard Mitigation Planning Process – Get more information here on the Los Alamos hazard mitigation planning effort.

​Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) – The LEPC in Los Alamos is an important tool for keeping abreast of emergency planning issues and activities.

​Disaster Preparedness for Children – The Red Cross also offers a mobile application that engages children in disaster preparedness in a fun, exciting way. The “Monster Guard” app uses an interactive game to show kids how to stay safe when responding to emergencies at home.

Simpson also mentions ready.gov as an additional resource for emergency preparedness tips.

Be Sure to Have a 72-hour kit for yourself, family and pets.

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit:

To assemble a basic disaster kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put the entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

• Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
• Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Manual can opener (for food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

For more safety and preparedness information, and information on preparing for a nuclear explosion, visit ready.gov.

To learn more about Los Alamos County Emergency Management preparedness information, visit www.losalamosnm.us and access the Emergency Management section.