Tompkins Ready

Spring Weather Safety:

Spring is the time of year when many things change—including the weather. Temperatures can swing back and forth between balmy and frigid. Sunny days may be followed by a week of stormy weather. Sometimes extreme weather changes can occur even within the same day. Thunderstorms cause most of the severe spring weather. They can bring lightning, tornadoes, and flooding. Whenever warm, moist air collides with cool, dry air, thunderstorms can occur. 

Check out the National Weather Service Weather Safety page for more information. 

 
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 Annual Burn Ban:   

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The annual NYS burn ban is in effect from March 16th through May 14th to reduce wildfires. During this time, burning branches, leaves, and debris is illegal statewide. Since 2009, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation enforces the annual brush burning ban to prevent wildfires and protect communities and first responders during heightened conditions for wildfires.

Home Fire Safety:

Help ensure you and your family remain safe and injury-free in the event of a fire:

  • Develop and practice a fire escape plan. Know where to meet outside your home.
  • Make sure you have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home, and outside all sleeping areas.                   

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Stay in the kitchen when cooking at high temperature, like frying, broiling or boiling. If you see any smoke or the grease starts to boil, turn the burner off.

What3Words:

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What3words is a geocode system for the communication of locations with a resolution of three meters. What3words encodes geographic coordinates into three dictionary words; the encoding is permanently fixed. If help is needed, providing a what3words address on a 9-1-1 call can pinpoint your location quickly. Learn more and download the What3words app here.

Read the 14850.com article on how what3words helped first responders reach an individual with a medical emergency on Connecticut Hill. 

Read how "What3words” helped rescue a group of hikers from Watkins Glen State Park.

Community Preparedness:

Homeland Security and Emergency Services Banner

Register to attend a Citizen Preparedness Corps training near you and learn how to prepare for any type of disaster or emergency, respond accordingly and recover. Learn more at the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services page. The next training in Tompkins County will be offered on Tuesday, March 24th at 6:00pm at the Danby Community Church, 1859 Danby Rd.

Topics include how to develop a family emergency plan, how to prepare your family and home for a potential emergency such as fire, what to do in specific situations such as active shooter, and covers evacuation or sheltering-in-place due to a life-threatening event, and much more. The training also discusses what to do when returning home after an emergency, including re-entry procedures, checking for and documenting damage safely, addressing emotional and other personal needs in the aftermath of a catastrophic event, and being wary of post-disaster scams.

Disasters and weather don't plan ahead, but you can. Sign up for a citizen preparedness corps training today

Additional Preparedness Checklists:

Tune In:

Disaster and emergency information will broadcast from these local radio stations:

  • 870AM WHCU
  • 97.3FM WYXL
  • 91.7FM WICB

If your TV is working, monitor a regional all-news channel, such as Spectrum News, or the Weather Channel. A weather radio will also provide accurate and current information.

National Weather Service in Binghamton

What types of emergencies can happen in Tompkins county?

There are certain basic concepts of preparedness that apply to any type of situation:

  • Be Informed
  • Make a Plan
  • Build a Kit
  • Get Involved

Learn more at www.ready.gov.

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