Public Safety

Emergencies

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Emergency Operations Plan: see file at bottom of page.
Emergency Evacuation Plan: see file at bottom of page.

What You Need to Know When Preparing for an Emergency

Electricity, water, heat, air conditioning, telephone service and transportation could be disrupted or lost for a considerable amount of time. Emergency preparedness means having enough food, water, medications and other essentials on hand to last your family for three to five days for weather-related events.

Create a Family Emergency Plan

Meet with household members to discuss the dangers of fire, severe weather and other emergencies. Draw a floor plan of your home and mark two escape routes from each room. Show family members how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches when necessary.

Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones. Teach children how and when to call 911, police and fire. Instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information.

Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated during a disaster (it is often easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area). Work with family members about the steps needed to be ready if a disaster happens.

Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit

Assemble supplies you might need in an evacuation. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or duffel bag. For each situation, it is important to develop a household emergency preparedness plan that includes:

Bottled water, non-perishable food, medications, important documents, first-aid kit, clothes, cell phones and chargers.
An escape plan that includes at least two emergency meeting places: one location outside your home or building in case of a sudden emergency, such as fire, and a second location outside your neighborhood in case you can not return to your home, office or building.
An emergency communications plan. Choose an out-of-town person to be your contact point for family members to call if you are separated. Make sure everyone has contact information including phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

Fire District

Colorado River Fire Rescue
970-984-3157
Website

Evacuations

In the event of an emergency, local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community. If you are told to evacuate, it is important to stay calm, listen carefully and follow all instructions. If you are sure you have time, call your family contact to tell them where you are going and when you expect to arrive. Shut off water and electricity, but leave natural gas ON unless local officials advise you otherwise. Only a professional can restore gas service once it is turned off.

Evacuation routes are determined by the location of the emergency. Please follow local authorities and road traffic control to determine the best route to evacuate. Please see the emergency evacuation plan file at the bottom of this page.

Children in School

In the event of a community or national emergency, or an evacuation or a shelter-in-place order, parents should check the local media, local school system, and websites for announcements about changes in school openings and closings. News about changes in school schedules is routinely disseminated through most metropolitan radio and television stations. Generally, unless evacuation of a particular school is ordered, students will be kept at school until safe transportation can be arranged. Because the best place for children during a regional crisis may well be in school, parents are discouraged from going to school to pick up their children. If a parent does go to school, he or she should be prepared to present the identification required by the school system—usually a photo ID. Note that if a school is ordered to provide shelter in place—to protect the safety of the children—no one will be allowed in or out of the school building until the danger has passed. In that event, parents, for their own safety, should also remain indoors. Parents should check the local media and school news outlets regularly for announcements about school decisions.

Open Burning of Fires and Fireworks

Open Fires

The Town of New Castle has a burn ban (NCMC 9.72.040) that is effective April 1st through November 1st due to the extreme fire danger that we experience especially during those very dry summer months.

The question of open fires is also brought up this time of year as many of us like to barbecue and have family gatherings. Open fires means setting fire to weeds, grass, wood, or any other combustible material outside a completely enclosed structure. Open fires include campfires, fires in fire rings, and the use of stoves, broilers, or barbecues whether using either coal, wood or any other combustible material other than charcoal, propane, or gas as fuel. So, yes, you can have your summer barbecues; however, you must use gas, propane, or charcoal. Can I have a smoker and smoke food? Yes, you can also have a smoker as long as it is an enclosed smoker.

Fireworks

New Castle Municipal Code (9.72.030) prohibits all fireworks within the Town of New Castle. “Fireworks” are defined as “any article, device or substance prepared for the primary purpose of producing a visual or auditory sensation by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation which meets the description of fireworks as set forth in the United States Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials.

“Can we have any fireworks?” The answer is yes, but you are limited to smoke bombs and snap caps. Unfortunately, fountains, bottle rockets, sparklers, fire crackers and other fireworks are not permitted in Town limits.

Regulations…” including but not limited to toy cannons or toy canes in which explosives are used, blank cartridges, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, rockets, roman candles, cylindrical fountains, cone fountains, wheels, ground spinners, illuminating torches and colored fire in any form, dayglo bombs and torches, sparklers, snakes, and any other fireworks of like construction and any fireworks containing any explosive or flammable compound or any tablets or devices containing any explosive substance.”

To apply for an exemption permit, fill out a Fire and Fireworks Ban Exemption Application and submit it to the New Castle Police Department. Contact the Police Department at (970) 984-2302 for more information.

Power Outages

Disruption of electrical service can occur as a result of many things, including lightning, high winds, ice, heavy snow, and equipment failure. For the most part, service is normally restored within a short period. However, major power outages can happen for extended periods of time.

To Report an Outage

Holy Cross Energy customers click here.
Xcel Energy customers click here.

To View an Outage Map

Holy Cross Energy customers click here.

Xcel Energy Customers click here.

Public Safety Quick Links

All Hazards Emergency Message NWR broadcasts National Weather Service (NWS) warnings, watches, forecasts and other non-weather related hazard information 24 hours a day. National Weather Service
American Red Cross Western Colorado Chapter : 970-242-48511-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) redcross.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention One of the 13 major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is the principal agency in the United States government for protecting the health and safety of all Americans and for providing essential human services, especially for those people who are least able to help themselves. cdc.gov
Colorado Division of Emergency Management
Department of Homeland Security dhs.gov
FEMA An in-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness is FEMA’s most comprehensive source on individual, family, and community preparedness. ready.gov
A treasure of online information, services and resources for the U.S. Government usa.gov
Garfield County Emergency Management One of the 13 major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is the principal agency in the United States government for protecting the health and safety of all Americans and for providing essential human services, especially for those people who are least able to help themselves. garfield-county.com
Garfield County Emergency Management Garfield County Sheriff’s Office Chris Bornholdt : (970) 945-0453