Emergency Preparedness

September is Emergency Preparedness Month

Are you ready, Eau Claire? Do you have a plan to face an emergency? Are you ready to protect yourself and your family?

To encourage families, businesses and schools to take steps to prepare for a potential crisis, Governor Jim Doyle has proclaimed September as Wisconsin's Preparedness Month.

According to a recent survey conducted in 2009, only about 20% of Wisconsin residents have made basic preparations for large-scale emergencies, like flooding and tornadoes.

Through the ReadyWisconsin program, Wisconsin Emergency Management has gathered and developed a large collection of emergency preparedness tips and other helpful information at ReadyWisconsin.wi.gov. This website will provide you with the information you need to:

Build a disaster kit for your home, school, business and vehicles
Make a plan for what to do in case of an emergency
Be informed about the any impending threats

Family Preparedness:

To learn more about preparing a disaster supply kit and creating a family disaster plan you can download an Emergency Preparedness Handbook.

Household Emergency Plan Workbook

River Safety

Individuals choosing to recreate in the Chippewa River at anytime should always exercise caution and pay special attention to safe water recreational recommendations.

Even if you are just enjoying a river from the bank, fishing or wading, rivers can be dangerous.

Tips from the City/County Health Department:

River water levels can change drastically, especially depending upon rainfall.

The river is subject to unpredictable and changing currents.

Rivers have undercurrents. Even though a river may look calm, it may have a very strong current under the surface.

Be aware of underwater hazards( old wooden pilings, rocks).

Know your own swimming ability, especially in strong currents.

Wear shoes with straps to protect your feet against sharp objects, rocks and slippery surfaces.

Do not wear clothing that will tangle and/or restrict your ability to swim.

For their safety, children should not participate in adult tubing activity.

Always go tubing with 1 or more people for safety.

Don't carry and consume alcohol on the river.

Any non swimmers should always wear a life preserver when on the river.

Always carry a second throw-able life preserver.

Water clarity can create low visibility under water.

Bacterial levels in the Chippewa River are not monitored and may be unhealthy for swimming

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