Fire Safety

CodeRED ALERTS let you know when there is danger in the area so you can prepare as needed or evacuate.

In Jefferson County, the CodeRED emergency notification system allows emergency personnel to call citizens to warn them of danger. With CodeRED, they can simultaneously call, text, or email, multiple phones within an area that they designate, to warn residents of flood, fire, tornadoes, chemical spills, or dangerous suspects. Within moments, calls reach the affected community to deliver warnings and critical safety instructions.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR CodeRED.

Without Smart911, dispatchers are only aware of a phone number, and minimal location data.

Smart911 is a free service with which users create a safety profile by entering vital data they want made available about themselves, their family, their residence and even their pets.

Data given can include photos, and information regarding medical conditions, allergies, disabilities and/or special needs, home addresses of cell phone callers and floor plans to name a few.

Smart911 delivers this information automatically to dispatchers, who then enable responders to be more successful with access to critical health and logistical information before arriving at the scene of an emergency.

Where are you?  What medications do you take?  What if you could provide us with life saving information before an emergency? Now you can.  It's free, private and secure.  Create your safety profile by visiting the Smart911 website.

CLICK HERE for the Jeffco slash collection calendar and help reduce fire danger. 

Removing slash and creating a defensible space around your home, is the first line of defense against wildfires. You can create zones around your home, removing any fire fuels, such as tree debris. Having a properly mitigated property doesn't mean that wildfire will pass you by, but it gives the fire department a better opportunity to save your home when it does come.

For great tips on how to protect your home and property CLICK HERE for the Firewise website.

Always call 911 immediately if you suspect a fire is in your area.

• Have at least two escape routes and communicate it to everyone in your family.
• Sign up for Code Red Alerts (be sure to include all family members’ cell phones)
• Know your neighbors and how to communicate with them.
• Prepare an evacuation plan. What will you take with you if you have two hours to evacuate? One hour? 10 minutes? Have a plan for your pets, too.
• Mitigate your property
• Follow your local fire department and chamber of commerce on Facebook and Twitter

Become fire wise and reduce your risk. visit www.nfpa.org

Basic Emergency Needs:  If a wildfire approaches your home, or if you have been notified by officials to evacuate your area, the following checklist may be used as a guide for items you may want to take with you.  Each person and family must decide what items to gather, according to their individual needs and time available to safely evacuate.  Remember - there is nothing you own worth your life!  Please evacuate when asked and follow evacuations instructions.

• Battery-powered radio
• First aid kit and manual
• Sleeping bags and blankets (wool/thermal)
• Waterproof/windproof matches
• Non-perishable foods, manual can opener
• Flashlight with batteries, or wind-up flashlight
• Water storage (1 gallon/day)
• Water purification tablets
• Utility knife, multipurpose tool
• Emergency candles
• Extra eyeglasses/contact lenses
• Essential medications
• Extra clothing
• Baby supplies
• Cell phone/charger
• Copies of personal documents, if not in a safe deposit box: birth certificates, social security cards, homeowner's insurance polices, deeds, titles, wills, health insurance cards, banking information
• Family contact information
• Credit cards/cash

If time permits, items that could not be replaced if they were destroyed, heirlooms

And don't forget about your pets!

• Leash, carrier
• Food, pet treats
• Medications
• Vaccination records

• Confine pets to one room so you can find them when it is time to evacuate
• Close all doors and windows, inside and out
• Remove lightweight, non-fireproof curtains and other combustible materials from around windows
• Close fire-resistant drapes, shutters or blinds
• Turn off pilot lights
• Disconnect propane tank, or shut off gas at meter
• Fill bathtubs, sinks, other large containers with water
• Park evacuation vehicles facing street or evacuation route.  Close the windows to the vehicles and keep keys handy.
• Place a ladder against the roof
• Remove combustible items from around the outside of the house (patio furniture, firewood)
• Turn on interior and exterior lights
• Close all exterior vents if possible
• Put a visible sign that identifies you have evacuated.  Hang a white cloth at the end of your driveway (pillowcase, t-shirt or towel work well).  If you have time, write 'evacuated' on it.
• When evacuating, drive with your headlights on for visibility and safety
• Do not block access to roadways for emergency vehicles or other evacuees.

READY, SET GO!

• Be Ready: Create and maintain defensible space and harden your home against flying embers.
• Get Set: Prepare your family and home ahead of time for the possibility of having to evacuate.
• Be Ready to GO!: Take the evacuation steps necessary to give your family and home the best chance of surviving a wildfire.

Level 1:  Be Ready.  An incident is in the area.  Leave now if you need additional time to  exit or have health conditions.  Prepare now for a full evacuation.

Level 2:  Leave Soon.  Mandatory Evacuation.  Residents are encouraged to leave as soon as possible.  You may have time to gather items, but doing so is at your own risk.

Level 3:  Leave Immediately.  Imminent Danger.  Do not delay leaving to gather belongings or to make an effort to protect your home.  Leave Now!