Emergency Preparedness

• Outdoor Warning Sirens
• Storm Shelter/Safe Room Registry
• Barricade Placement Locations
• Park Cities Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
• Emergency Notification - CodeRED
• Other Helpful Links

Emergency management is based on an "all hazards" model that is broad in scope and applies to all city departments. The city’s emergency management plan has four basic tenets:
 

Mitigation

Actions taken before an event occurs to prevent or lessen the impact the event has on life and property. Some examples of mitigation:
 

• building codes
• zoning ordinances
• grant funding
• training

Preparedness

Activities, actions, procurements, planning, training and inter-jurisdictional cooperation designed to increase response readiness to identified hazards.
 

Response

Mobilization of resources to meet the needs of the city in response to the nature of the disaster. Mobilization includes local, county, state and federal resources as necessary. Response is usually associated with the period of time immediately after the event and necessary to ensure life safety.

Examples include - Fire and EMS services, search and rescue, debris removal, public works activities and law enforcement.
 

Recovery

Long term mobilization of support operations in returning the city to its pre-event condition. This period is usually when social services and volunteer organizations tasked with relief efforts ramp up their efforts with the following in mind – "the greater the magnitude of the disaster, the greater the recovery effort."

OUTDOOR WARNING SIREN SYSTEM

The system is comprised of six sirens located throughout the city for emergencies that may include tornadoes, high winds, civil defense and hazardous materials. The sirens are activated from the 911 center at city hall.

Map of the siren coverage in University Park

The Outdoor Warning Siren System is designed to warn residents who are outside only. With today’s air-conditioned and well insulated homes and our well built vehicles, the sirens may not be heard by those inside.  Residents are encouraged to purchase a weather alert radio and sign up for Code Red, a free severe weather notification service.

The City’s policy and criteria for activation of the outdoor warning sirens was developed in coordination with the National Weather Service. It is generally consistent with criteria used in the surrounding cities in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.
 

Outdoor Warning Sirens May be Activated to Notify Residents for a Number of Reasons, Including (but Not Limited to)
 

• The National Weather Service issues a Tornado Warning or Severe Thunderstorm Warning with the phrase "Destructive winds in excess of 70 mph (or higher) are likely with this storm" for University Park.

• Trained storm spotters have reported a tornado in the jurisdiction, or in a neighboring jurisdiction that has the potential to affect University Park.

• Reported hail of 1.25" in diameter or greater.

• Hazardous chemical emergency.

• Other emergencies, as deemed necessary by city administration (in the event of any emergency when residents need to move indoors for their safety).

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Once activated, the sirens sound a steady tone for at least three minutes. Depending upon the weather conditions, the system may be continually activated until the danger has passed. An "all clear" message is not sounded.
 

When You Hear an Outdoor Warning Siren Immediately Seek Shelter Indoors
 

• Turn on your radio or television or listen to your weather alert radio.

• Go to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor of the building. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.

• Stay away from windows and doors. Get under something sturdy such as a table and if possible, cover yourself with a blanket or sleeping bag.

• It is strongly recommended that residents designate a shelter area for their home in advance and practice going to that area as a family.

• If you are in an office building during a severe storm, seek shelter on the lowest level of the building. You can also use the fire escapes or restrooms as shelter areas. Likewise, remember to designate your shelter area in advance; there will be less confusion during severe weather if the location is pre-determined.

• Don't call 911 to ask why the outdoor warning sirens have been activated. Only call 911 if you have an emergency to report for Police, Fire or EMS assistance.
   

City of Dallas Siren Activations

There may be times when the City of University Park does not activate its outdoor warning sirens and the City of Dallas does. Based on the activation criteria, each situation is carefully evaluated by the UP emergency management staff using the latest information. Since Dallas surrounds University Park, UP residents may hear some Dallas sirens activate. University Park's outdoor warning sirens will only be activated if the threat concerns University Park.
 

UP Outdoor Warning Siren System Test

The system is tested on the first Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m., weather permitting. In the event that inclement weather is in the immediate area or forecast, the test may be postponed until the next scheduled test date.

STORM SHELTER/SAFE ROOM REGISTRY

Homes with storm shelters or safe rooms provide an added measure of protection.  However, tornadoes and severe thunderstorms can leave debris on top of shelters, hiding them and those inside from emergency responders. Emergency personnel also benefit from knowing if a property has a safe room that protects against attack or intrusion.   For these reasons, University Park has created a registry to aid in locating and assisting residents who may be trapped or are hiding inside.

The registry provides the University Park Fire Department, the University Park Police Department and the City’s 911 call center with valuable information for each shelter or safe room including contact information, shelter address, and shelter type. It also allows emergency personnel to map these locations, so that in the event of an emergency, those in need of assistance can be quickly located, even when communications are down

Register                            

Registration can be completed online, by Clicking Here.  Please provide your name, phone number, email, shelter address, and shelter type (storm shelter, safe room, or basement).

Privacy

Your information will not be shared or distributed for any reason other than to aid University Park emergency responders. If you have questions, please call .

BARRICADE PLACEMENT LOCATIONS 

Click on the map to view a larger image. 

PARK CITIES COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT)

University Park's CERT program began in 2008. Thirty-five residents have been trained and are ready to assist emergency personnel in a variety of tasks.

In 2013, University Park joined forces with CERT-trained residents in Highland Park and renamed the group, Park Cities CERT.  
 

CERT Training

Training takes place at the University Park Fire Department. The program lasts seven weeks and involves once-a-week classes. Each two-and-half hour class concentrates on a particular topic or skill. Course material comes from sources like: the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Emergency Management Institute for the United States Fire Administration. Training is coordinated by the University Park Fire Department. Trained CERT volunteers are able to assist emergency personnel and City staff with the following:
 

• Relieve emergency crews on downed power lines

• Establish and maintain safe zones around high water areas

• Crises (lost persons, evacuations)

• Public Safety (City/SMU events, festivals, parades)

• Preparedness and Family Safety education

CERT Mission Statement

"CERT serves to harness the power of the citizens of University Park, through education, training, and volunteer service to make our community safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the challenges associated with public safety, public health issues and disasters of any kind."

HELPFUL WEB LINKS

• Department of Homeland Security

• FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency

• NOAA - National Weather Service Skywarn

• Texas Poison Control Network

• Ready America (preparation for natural & man-made disasters)

• American Red Cross

• Texas Department of Homeland Security

• Texas Department of Emergency Management