Being prepared for a disaster and an emergency should be everyone’s concern.  The Fruit Heights Citizen Corps Council has spent several hours compiling useful information to help assist residents become better prepared for an emergency.  The result of their efforts and concerns for their neighbors can be found in the Family Preparedness Handbook.  There are three sections that will help you Plan, Prepare, and Be Informed of an emergency or disaster. There is also new information for those who need to Update their Family Preparedness handbook. 

Take the time to download, review and implement the recommendations found within this Family Preparedness Handbook.  If proper preparations are made now, it might help alleviate stress during an emergency.   


Does the City have an Emergency Operations Plan? 

Yes the City has adopted an Emergency Operations Plan or EOP.  This plan is a guide for municipal and community leaders to use when an emergency arises. The philosophy behind the plan is to identify resources and outline responsibilities for the entire community. The writing of the plan is not intended to arouse fear or spark alarm. The plan is a common sense approach to preparedness that encourages action, not reaction. This plan does not take the place of personal, family or neighborhood preparedness but is used to determine what actions must be taken by emergency organizations of this community to prepare for, and reduce the vulnerability of Fruit Heights City residents. This plan will also assist in training to prepare to respond effectively to any emergency if and when one arises. 

What is a disaster? 

According to the Dictionary, a disaster is "Any event that overwhelms existing resources to deal with the event".

Disasters may be natural or caused by human actions, may occur in any season of the year and may cover a limited or a wide-ranging geographic area. 

When a disaster occurs, it has a cascading effect because of its impact on the infrastructure:  transportation, utilities, communications systems, fuel supplies, and water supplies – the services and delivery systems on which we depend.  When one of these important elements in our support system breaks down, it has a domino effect, causing other elements to falter.  When multiple elements break down, the effect can be crippling which likely leads to an emergency. 

What is an Emergency?  

Emergency is defined as, "A sudden, urgent, usually unexpected occurrence or occasion requiring immediate action.  It is also defined as a state, especially of need for help or relief, created by some unexpected event".