By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Caribou Fire Chief Roy Woods has announced that the Caribou Emergency Management Agency will be testing the City Alert and Warning System on Thursday, July 14 at 2 p.m. This alert test will last for 15 seconds.
“This will be a 15 second test of the equipment which would be used to alert Caribou citizens in the downtown area to take cover, in the event of a hurricane, tornado or other major emergency situations which would put the general public in danger,” stated Woods, who is also director of the emergency management agency. “In the case of a real emergency, members of the EMA would also be putting alert and warning out to all television, radio and weather alert stations. Caribou police officers and members of the fire department would also be out in their vehicles traveling the streets using loudspeakers instructing individuals to seek shelter,” added Woods.
“We sincerely hope that people are thinking about where they would go, if indeed the city was faced with one of these emergency situations. You know the old saying, ‘don’t put your head in the sand,’ — well don’t believe that these types of events would never happen in our area,” said Woods.
According to Woods, the City has plans for designated Shelter Operations at the Teague Park Elementary School and at the Caribou United Baptist Church, if necessary.
Chief Woods encourages all citizens to maintain an emergency shelter kit which should include items such as water, a radio with extra batteries; canned food and a manual can opener; blankets, matches; a way to prepare food without electricity; necessary medications secured in a zip lock bag; spare eye glasses; and other items individuals may feel they would need throughout several days.
“We hope we never need these systems,” stated Woods, “ but to be prepared, we must test them at least once a year.”
For information residents are encouraged to contact Chief Woods at 493-4215.