Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

Public Awareness Messenger

PAM is Laramie County's Eye on the Sky. She is a prairie falcon, an early native of Laramie County. PAM is always on the lookout for changes in the sky. Her main goal is to teach Laramie County citizens how to prepare for dangers they may face, including hazardous chemical releases, snowstorms, floods and tornadoes.

• Chemical Emergencies
• Public Warning Systems
• Weather Watch Warning / Chemical Release Warning
• Family Disaster Plan
• Laramie County, Wyoming Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

Chemical Emergencies

A major chemical emergency could release hazardous chemicals into the environment. Accidents can occur underground, on railroad tracks, highways, at manufacturing plants or at hazardous materials disposal facilities.

In the event of a major chemical emergency, you will be notified by the public warning systems. In chemical emergencies, officials could sound a siren, telephone you, issue instructions by loudspeakers mounted on emergency vehicles or come to your door.

If you hear an outdoor warning siren, you should immediately go inside and turn on your local radio or television EAS station and carefully follow instructions. The instructions will carry the following information:

• Type of hazard
• Affected area
• How to protect yourself
• Evacuation routes (if necessary)
• Shelter locations
• Type and locations of medical facilities
• Emergency phone numbers

DO NOT CALL 911 or emergency response agencies for information!
These lines are critical to notify emergency agencies of life threatening emergencies other than the one you have just been warned of. The EAS (Emergency Alert Systems) will broadcast the most current information available about any WARNING.

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Public Warning Systems

Warning systems in Laramie County include outdoor warning sirens in and around the Cheyenne area, Emergency Alert Systems (EAS) and National Weather Service Radio. These systems work together to monitor emergencies and provide warnings in Laramie County.

• OUTDOOR WARNING SIRENS - there are 34 sirens located in Cheyenne. The sirens alert people WHO ARE OUTDOORS that a life threatening emergency has occurred. When you hear a siren, go inside and immediately tune to a local radio station and turn on your television. The broadcast stations will inform you of the emergency and tell you what action to take.
  
• EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS) - is a system through which local radio and television outlets distribute information from state, local and national sources. Several emergency response agencies are connected to EAS to provide emergency information. Broadcast media will provide radio announcements, cable providers provide a message crawler across the screen and The Combined Communications Center will activate outdoor sirens, if needed.
  
• NOAA WEATHER RADIO - This is the best way to receive National Weather Service warnings. Weather radios are sold in many stores locally, and can receive the signal up to about 40 miles away from the station. Consider buying a radio with both a tone-alert system and battery backup. The All hazards radio in a necessity for people who are indoors and can not hear the outdoor warning system.

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Weather Watch Warning / Chemical Release Warning

The National Weather Service uses the following weather advisories. It's important that you know the difference.

• A WATCH - tells you that conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop. Keep an eye on the sky and listen to your weather radio when watches and warnings are issued. Remember, a watch does not mean the severe weather has developed, but that it is possible. When a watch is issued, stay alert.
  
• A WARNING - issued when severe weather has been reported by spotters or weather radar. Warnings mean there is a threat to life and property for those in the path of the storm. Listen to your EAS outlet and follow instructions carefully!

Watches and Warnings are issued for such weather events as thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, heavy snow and blizzards. Warnings may also be issued in the event of a severe chemical release. If you hear a watch or warning issued, or hear an emergency siren, monitor your EAS station for details.

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Family Disaster Plan

Preparing a Family Disaster Plan in advance of emergencies will help family members stay calm in an emergency and could save their lives.

A family plan should include tasks for each family member, the location of emergency supplies and a place for family members to reunite if they are separated.

Your Family Disaster Plan should include a Family Disaster Supply Kit. This kit should be put together by the entire family so that each member knows the importance of the kit. The kit should include the following items:

• 72 hours of food and water for you and your pets
• First aid supplies
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Bath-size towels
• Plastic garbage bags
• Wide tape (duct tape)
• County and city map
• Bottled water
• Non-perishable snack food
• A list of family medications, eyeglass prescriptions, etc.T

Take time to study the school or day care emergency action plan at your children's school. Discuss the plans with your children and their baby-sitters. Don't assume that you will always be with you children in an emergency. Tell them how to protect themselves if you are not available.

The LEPC urges you to learn how to Shelter-in-Place to ensure your environment does not become contaminated with a chemical if released. Check out the Shelter-in-Place video from any Laramie County Library or school in Laramie County.

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Laramie County, Wyoming Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

The LEPC includes representatives from each of the following:

• Emergency management
• Fire/rescue
• Law enforcement
• Emergency Medical Services
• Hospitals
• Transportation, utilities
• National Weather Service
• Industry, pipelines
• Military, National Guard
• Elected officials

The purpose of the committee is to implement laws made under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). This committee of experts has two tasks: to prepare for and respond to chemical releases in Laramie County, and to educate the public about how to respond to such events. All LEPC members coordinate their services as a central planning committee, dedicated to community safety.

This information was prepared for your safety by the members of the LEPC and Laramie County Information Technology Department. For more information please contact:

Laramie County LEPC
c/o Cheyenne/Laramie County Emergency Management Agency
310 West 19th Street, Suite 410
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001
(307) 633-4336

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