BY SAM SCHAFFER
The gist
Another part of Cedar Park preparations is being available to homeowners and occupants when they call with questions about how to prepare. The parks department and fire department will go out when a call is received, and staff from the departments will help people assess their fire risk situation. Ultimately, the departments will provide recommendations on how people can safeguard their property.
Mallinger said the fire department does annual training to be ready to fight wildfires. The train- ing includes shelter practice, where firefighters rehearse deploying emergency shelters in case they get caught in a wildfire. The department also does brush truck apparatus training to ensure they are familiar with their equipment when they need it. “The fire department’s prepared to respond if needed,” Mallinger said.
Cedar Park's re chief said the department is prepared with a plan if another large re breaks out in the area.
COURTESY CITY OF CEDAR PARK
The bottom line
What to take in an emergency
The city estimated that during the three days it took to fully extinguish the 2023 fire, the fire department used 8 million gallons of water, he said. As of April 1, Cedar Park was under Phase 3 water conservation requirements, meaning residents were limited to one day per week for outdoor watering, according to the city’s website. Additionally, the city was subject to Williamson County’s burn ban that was instituted March 25 for up to 90 days, according to the website. Residents of Cedar Park always have to obtain a permit before doing any outdoor burning. Locals are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts at www.warncentraltexas.com.
An important part of being ready for a fire is preparing a go bag. Selby said people should consider the things they use on a daily basis, such as medicines, when preparing a go bag. “A lot of people are on medications that if they don’t take daily, they have medical complications,” he said. Mallinger said local resources are crucial and noted that water conservation efforts help the fire department be prepared to fight f ires. “Remembering to conserve water so it’s there for emergencies is one of the biggest things residents can do to help us be prepared for a wildfire,” he said. Drinking water and water for fighting fires comes from the same source, he said.
Important documents (birth certificates and Social Security cards)
Wallet
Cash
Medicine
Important photos, family pictures
Bottled water
SOURCES: TEXAS COMPTROLLER, WWW.TEXASPROUD.COM/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION
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