CodeRed
CodeRED is Washburn County’s rapid emergency notification system, designed to keep residents informed during critical situations such as natural disasters, evacuations, or public safety alerts. Register your contact information today to ensure you receive timely notifications by phone, text, or email.
Latest Updates
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Be Informed About Disaster Preparedness
Quick Links
- What is Disaster Preparedness?
- Hail Safety (pdf)
- Lightning
- Wildfires (pdf)
- Shelters
- Wildfires at Ready.gov
- Winter Preparedness (pdf)
- Disaster Distress: Helpline & Resources
- Federal Funding for Utilities – Water/Wastewater – in National Disasters
- Red Cross Fire Department Flyer-January 2022 (Current)
Emergency Management
Quick Links
The Four Phases of Emergency Management
The department’s logo describes the four phases of Emergency Management and its ongoing process.
“Preparedness” is conducted before a disaster occurs in order to build emergency management capacity. It has three elements: the development of emergency response plans; training on our plans and possible hazards, practicing at putting the plans into effect (exercises); and public education. Preparedness planning seeks to anticipate problems and project possible solutions to minimize disaster damage.
“Response” activities provide emergency assistance to save lives, preserve property and protect the environment. A goal of all emergency responders is to reduce the probability of additional injuries or damage, and to start the recovery process as soon as possible.
“Recovery” is the process of returning systems to normal levels, such as replacing a bridge that was washed away by flooding, or long term cleanup after a storm. Some activities can be accomplished in the short term, such as adding gravel to washed out roads; while other activities take years, such as rebuilding a community.
“Mitigation” activities normally occur before an emergency or disaster, or directly on the heels of a disaster. Such activities include installing sirens, adopting flood plain and/or zoning regulations, and creating building codes that include plans for storm shelters. The primary purpose for mitigation is to eliminate or reduce the probability of a disaster, such as a chemical spill or flood. It will include action to postpone, dissipate or lessen the effects of the disaster.
EPCRA
Quick Links
- Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Documents – Compilation (pdf)
- LEPC Roles (pdf)
- Storage and Transportation of Ammonium Nitrate at Retail Facilities (pdf)
Emergency Planning & Right to Know
Washburn County Law Enforcement Center
Washburn County LEPC – Office of Emergency Management
421 Hwy. 63
Shell Lake, WI 54871
Information available includes lists of facilities reporting, Material Safety Data Sheets, inventory forms of chemicals, emergency response plans and if any are filed, follow-up emergency notices of releases from facilities.
Telephone inquiries as to specific information contained in the files will not be accepted.
Copies of the documents may be made at the expense of the requestor and at rates established by Washburn County.
Information available is limited to compliance with P.L. 99-499 and does not include all chemicals that may pose a threat to humans, animals or the environment.
Questions related to this notice should be addressed to: Emergency Management Director, Washburn County, PO Box 429 -421 Hwy. 63, Shell Lake, WI 54871
This legal notice is published to inform the general public and complies with Section 324 of P.L. 99-499.
Evacuation
Quick Links
What is Evacuation?
During an emergency or disaster, individuals may be asked to temporarily leave their home or business during a natural or man-made disaster that possesses the potential to cause harm or even death to a given geographical population. Evacuations are usually temporarily, lasting sometimes a few hours to a few days.
Interoperability Communications
Quick Links
Inoperability Communications
- WI State Interoperability
- WI Regional Interoperability Commission
- FCC-Narrowbanding
- VHF/UHF Narrowbanding Information for Public Safety Licensees (pdf)
- Narrowbanding-Steps you should take today (pdf)
- Deadlines for Narrowbanding (pdf)
- Plain Talk on the Radio (pdf)
Media Information
Television
Although, television is a great resource for receiving information, Washburn County relies heavily on the Twin Cities and Duluth markets, hence information may not be as readily available as you’d like for Washburn County area.
| Minneapolis/St. Paul | Duluth/Superior |
|---|---|
| KARE – Channel 11 WCCO – Channel 4 KSTP – Channel 5 KSMP – Channel 9 |
WDIO – Channel 10 KBJR – Channel 6 & 3 |
Newspaper
Washburn County has no daily newspaper so it will be difficult to receive up-to-date information from our newspapers. The Twin Cities area does have daily newspapers and will likely provide daily information on the incident:
- Spooner Advocate
- Washburn County Register – Shell Lake
- Sawyer County Record – Hayward
- Star Tribute, Minneapolis, MN
- Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN
Radio
Radio will likely be the best source of receiving information on a local incident. The following are the local radio stations for Washburn County.
| Shell Lake | Hayward | Rice Lke |
|---|---|---|
| WGMO 95.3FM | WGMO 95.3FM WOJB 88.9FM |
WJMC 96.1FM WAQE 97.7FM WKFX 99.1FM |
Municipality Resources
Quick Links
- Municipal Emergency Operations Plan – Template (pdf)
- FEMA Procurement Requirements (pdf)
- Roles & Responsibilities in Emergencies (pdf)
- Damage Reporting Form (sample) (pdf)
- Disaster Response Flowchart and Declaration Guide (pdf)
- Disaster Proclamation (sample) (pdf)
- Reporting Storm Damages (pdf)
- Emergency Preparedness & Response Information (pdf)
Shelter in Place
What is Sheltering in Place?
In some cases during an emergency, staying home is best. For example, you would likely stay put for disease outbreaks, winter storms, and power and utility outages. With your stocked emergency supply kit, you should be ready if you are advised to stay at home.
During an emergency or disaster, individuals may be asked to Shelter-In-Place. This means sealing yourself into a room in your home. This helps keep out contaminated air. Public Officials would let you know (by radio, for example) if sheltering-in-place is needed.
Learn the typical Steps:
- It’s best to use a room with a water supply and few or no windows, such as a bedroom with an attached bathroom.
- Get everyone into the room (including pets), and close all windows and doors.
- Use plastic sheeting and duct tape to cover all windows, doors and vents. (You could pre-cut and label to save time.)
- Sheltering-in-place would likely be recommended for only a few hours, but plan for longer.