Aspen community invited to wildfire preparedness event
Madison Osberger-Low/The Aspen Times
The Aspen Police Department, in partnership with the Aspen Fire Department, Roaring Fork Fire Rescue, and Pitkin County Emergency Management, is inviting the community to a special event to learn how to prepare during wildfire season and build community resilience in honor of National Preparedness Month.
The “Ready and Resilient” emergency preparedness campaign will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at the Aspen Police Department Community Room. It will focus what residents need to know in the face of wildfires threatening the Roaring Fork Valley, according to a press release, including:
- How to create a go bag to be ready for evacuation
- Understanding the difference between pre-evacuation, evacuation, and shelter-in-place orders
- Tips from the Aspen Fire Department on creating defensible space around homes
- Guidance from Pitkin County Emergency Management on alert systems and emergency communication resources
“Aspen is no stranger to wildfire risk, and preparedness is a responsibility we all share,” Aspen Police Chief Kim Ferber said in the release. “With September being National Preparedness Month, our goal is to give residents the knowledge and tools they need to respond quickly and safely when the time comes.”
Attendees will be able to watch an on-site demonstration on how to build their own go bag, and one attendee will win the fully stocked version to take home. Participants will also leave with practical checklists and resources to help them prepare their families and homes. The event will include presentations, opportunities for community members to ask questions of local experts, and free go bag supplies.
“Being ready helps to make us resilient,” Aspen Fire Chief Jake Andersen said in the release. “This isn’t an unsolvable problem. If anyone can do it, it’s Aspen. We got this. If we can dedicate time, money, and focus, we can live with wildfire and be wildfire resilient.”
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://www.aspen.gov/1487/Emergency-Preparedness.
- What: Ready and Resilient: Emergency preparedness event
- When: Monday, Sept. 22, 4–5 p.m.
- Where: Aspen Police Department Community Room, 540 E. Main St.
- Who: Aspen Police Department, Aspen Fire Department, Pitkin County Emergency Management, and Roaring Fork Fire Rescue.
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