by Terri Wiebold

In July, the Castle Pines North Master Association Safety Committee met with representatives from the South Metro Fire District and the Douglas County Department of Emergency Management to discuss safety issues in Castle Pines North.

Among the issues discussed were notification and evacuation procedures in the event of a large scale emergency. The Master Association is gathering information about the tools available for notification in the event of an emergency. Currently, the County utilizes reverse 911 calls, “all-hazards” radios, and cable override broadcast systems to notify residents of emergencies. A new system is being evaluated which would allow residents to register cell phones and have voice override capabilities, in addition to existing features. The new system would also allow the Master Association to assist the County in sending timely emergency information to residents via e-mail. The new system is not budgeted for this year, but Director Jamie Moore is optimistic a new system will be in place soon.

The Sheriff’s Office Department of Emergency Management has recently completed the updated Emergency Preparedness Guide, and a copy will be available for all residents of Castle Pines North. Individual homeowner’s associations will be distributing the guide in the next few weeks, so keep an eye out for it. The guide provides many useful tips for fire safety, severe weather readiness, home and personal safety, and living with wildlife – to name a few.

The Emergency Management Director has also expressed interest in attending individual homeowner association annual meetings to discuss these topics. For information about any of these issues discussed, contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Management at 303-660-7505 or go to www.dcsheriff.net/sheriffoffice/Emergency_Management.