Be Prepared
Preparedness Is Everyone's Job!
In times of disasters, you have responsibility to safeguard you and your family. During the first few hours or days following a disaster, essential services may not be available and emergency workers may be in short supply.
Depending on the severity, you must be ready to act on your own. If you educate yourself about these potential hazards, learn how to recognize them and plan for them, you can go a long way toward safeguarding yourself and your family.
Get Notified
Dodge County uses a variety of methods to keep the community informed of emergencies, imminent safety issues, weather, and more. For the most urgent notifications, make sure you have IPAWS activated on your smartphone. For local alerts regarding weather and public safety, download the DOSO app from the Dodge County Sheriff's Office.
IPAWS — How to get text alerts
Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, or IPAWS, is an integrated alert system that encompasses cellphones, radio, and broadcast television. These alerts notify you about severe weather, AMBER Alerts, and threats to public safety. These messages are sent by authorized agencies to cellular phones in geographically targeted areas.
Customers are not charged for the delivery of IPAWS messages and the alerts resemble a text message.
IPAWS can save lives. Do not ignore the messages. They contain basic information to notify you about a threat. If you receive an IPAWS, seek additional information from a trusted source, such as government agencies or local radio and TV stations.
You do not need to sign up for IPAWS, it is sent out automatically based on geographic location, however you should make sure your phone has the alerts turned on. Below are instructions for Apple and Android phones:
On an Apple/iPhone:
- Go to settings > Notifications
- Scroll to the bottom of the screen
- Under "Government Alerts" turn on alerts for AMBER Alerts, Emergency Alerts and Public Safety Alerts.
On an Android phone:
- On your Android device, open Settings
- Tap Notifications and then Wireless emergency alerts
- Select the alerts you want to receive
DOSO App
The Dodge County Sheriff's Office manages an app that sends information directly to your phone regarding public safety, weather safety, and other Dodge County updates. Find the app in the app store of your phone under "Dodge County Sheriff's Office (WI) or use this link to go directly to the app for download.
Smart 911
In an emergency situation, every second counts. Dodge County now offers Smart911, a free service that provides 911 operators with critical medical and household information needed during an emergency.
To register, follow these simple steps:
- Visit smart911.com or download the Smart911 App.
- Create your Safety Profile for yourself and your household. (Your information will be kept confidential and only accessible when you dial 9-1-1).
- Smart911 will send a message to your registered email address confirming your account.
- Upon verification, Smart911 will deliver your Safety Profile to 9-1-1 answering centers.
Dodge County will also use this system to send emergency notifications such as drinking water contamination, missing persons or hazardous conditions and non-emergency notifications.
With Smart911, individuals can link both home and work addresses to mobile phones which can be passed on to responders in the field for a more detailed, rapid response. Additional information including pets in the home, vehicle details in the event of an accident and even emergency contacts can all be included in a Safety Profile.
Currently, mobile phones do not provide an address to the 9-1-1 call taker. These emergency situations are often the worst moments of a person’s life and the Safety Profile can speak for you when you might be unable. Individuals are encouraged to create their Safety Profile with Smart911 today to have their information immediately available to 9-1-1 and to receive emergency notifications.
Weather Radio
A NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Working with the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Alert System, NWR is an “All-Hazards” radio network, making it your single source for comprehensive weather and emergency information.
NWR requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. A NOAA Weather radio can be purchased at many big box retailers as well as online for around $30-50.
Make a Plan
Disaster Plan
Disasters can strike anytime. When it does, having a disaster plan can help. The Dodge County Office of Emergency Management and Red Cross have created an Emergency Preparedness Checklist for you to use. It is also important to have Emergency Contact Numbers of local contacts and an emergency out-of-state contact.
Don't forget planning for your barnyard animals and family pets in a disaster.
Creating a Kit
Disaster Supply Kit
After a disaster, local official and relief workers will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. Your family will cope best by preparing for a disaster before it strikes. One way to prepare is by assembling a Disaster Supplies Kit. When a disaster hits, you don’t have time to shop or search for supplies, but if you have gathered them in advance your family can endure an evacuation or home confinement.
Ready Wisconsin has a number of resources to create a kit for your home or vehicle that is geared towards families, older adults and those with disabilities.
Food & Water
Food and Water in an Emergency
If a disaster strikes your community, you might not have access to food, water and electricity for days, or even weeks. By taking some time now to store emergency food and water supplies, you can provide for your entire family.
Having an ample supply of clean water is a top priority in an emergency. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need even more. You will also need water for food preparation and hygiene. Store a total of at least one gallon per person, per day. You should store at least a two-week supply of water for each member of your family. If supplies run low, never ration water. Drink the amount you need today, and try to find more for tomorrow. You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool.
Review a helpful print out how to prepare and store food and water in case of an emergency.
Resources
Ready.gov — Helpful information and resources including plans for businesses, homes, and educational games for children.
Ready Wisconsin — Emergency information that is just for Wisconsinites.
County Plans
Dodge County Hazard Mitigation Plan
The Dodge County Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies potential hazards that pose risks to our communities and outlines strategies to reduce their impacts. The plan serves as a roadmap to make Dodge County more resilient to disasters such as severe weather, flooding, and other natural hazards. It was developed in coordination with local jurisdictions, state and federal partners, and community stakeholders. The plan is updated every five years with support from grant funding to ensure it remains current and effective in reducing risk.