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Emergency Management
Emergency management is the city's managerial function charged with creating the framework within our community to reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. At the federal level, emergency management is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under direction of the President of the United States. At the city level, the Mayor serves as an Emergency Management Director (EMD) with delegation to the City Manager as the city's Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC). The EMC is responsible for developing disaster response capabilities and coordinating an emergency response plan for the city. Potential emergencies/disasters include:
- Civil emergencies (riots, protesters)
- National security events (terrorism)
- Natural causes (tornadoes, winter storms, hail, large interface wildland fires, etc.)
- Technological disasters (hazardous materials spill)
Emergency Management Coordinators
The Fire Chief and Police Chief serve as alternate Emergency Management Coordinators assisted by their departments, other department directors, and volunteers. Should disaster strike, local authorities would take control of the situation from the Emergency Operations Center.
The City of Princeton utilizes CivicReady to send emergency alerts and other notifications.
Sign up to receive emergency alerts and severe weather warnings that could directly impact you and your family.The City of Princeton is able to send you emergency alerts via text message, email, pager, or voice mail (in extreme cases), based on your preferences. It is important that we collect this contact information because many households no longer utilize traditional land-based telephone lines.
If you wish to download the app for CivicReady, you may do so using the following links:
Outdoor Warning Sirens
The City of Princeton currently operates six outdoor warning sirens (OWS) located strategically across the city from East to West. These sirens are designed to warn people who are "outside" to seek shelter indoors.
Testing
The OWS are tested monthly on the first Wednesday of the month at approximately Noon. The sirens are not tested on days of inclement weather.
Siren Activation
When the emergency management division receives information that imminent damaging winds, hail, or a funnel cloud/tornado has been spotted near Princeton the sirens will be activated. The wind speed and size of hail may vary slightly, but it is typically when wind speeds are expected to exceed 70 mph, and hail is expected to be 1.25 inch in diameter or larger. Other factors may play into this determination and the sirens could be activated at lower wind speeds and hail diameter.
When You Hear the Sirens
Seek shelter immediately indoors and away from windows. If shelter is not available and severe weather is in the area, lie in a low-lying are. Make sure the low-lying area you choose is not prone to flooding. Do not call 911 to ask why the warning sirens have been activated. Only call 911 if you have an emergency to report for Police, Fire or EMS assistance.
Radio Notice
In this area WBAP Radio, 820 AM, is the designated Emergency Alert System (EAS) station. Most other radio and television stations will also broadcast information regarding emergencies. Those with cable TV may turn to PTN, Time Warner Channel 16 or Verizon FiOS Channel 30 or 31, for official information from the Plano Warning Center.
Severe Weather Preparedness
The City of Princeton highly recommends each home and business have other means to receive warnings and notifications, including internet, radio, television or a NOAA weather radio.
Weather Radios
Weather Radios which work with NOAA can give you more than just advance warnings and updates related to severe weather. These radios can be purchased at many local stores, can operate on batteries, and are reasonable costs to the consumer.
Severe Weather Resources
Ready.gov Preparedness Tips
- Hurricanes
- Tornadoes
- Extreme Heat
- Flooding
- Wildfires
- Tsunami
- Winter Storms and Cold
- Thunderstorms and Lightning
Emergency Information for Hearing and the Sight Impaired
Northeast Texas Public Health District has created both video and written information on eighteen emergency preparedness topics to serve deaf, blind and limited sight populations. The information is available for public use, free of charge, on the Accessible Emergency Information website.
Emergency Preparation for Your Family
- Create a support network of family, neighbors, friends, coworkers, and service providers to aid you in an emergency.
- Discuss your needs and make sure everyone knows how to operate necessary equipment.
- Tell these people where you keep your emergency supplies
- If you receive dialysis or other life sustaining medical treatment, identify locations and availability of more than one facility and work with your provider to develop an emergency plan
- Keep contact information for local independent living centers and other disability services in a safe and easy-to-access place
- Work with local transportation and disability services to plan ahead for accessible transportation in an evacuation or during a disaster
- Develop back-up plans for personal assistance services, hospice, or other forms of in-home assistance
- Keep in mind that during an emergency, you may need to explain to first responders and emergency officials that you need to evacuate and shelter with your family, service animal, caregiver, or personal assistance provider so they can provide the support you need to maintain your health, safety, and independence
- Collect and keep copies of your important documents in your emergency kit or wallet, documents may include:
- Copies of medical prescriptions, health history, and allergies
- Physician and pharmacy contact information and doctors' orders
- Style, model, and serial numbers for support devices or equipment needed
- A list of personal contacts, family, and friends that you may need to contact in an emergency
- Copies of insurance policies including medical, home, vehicle, and personal property
- Copies of important financial and business information such as bank accounts, credit cards, securities, deeds, and loans
- You should also include company contact information for each business and financial institution
- Even if you do not use a computer yourself, consider putting important information onto a portable flash drive or thumb-drive for easy transport during an evacuation
- Assemble an emergency supply kit (PDF)in a duffle bag or backpack, depending on your needs, items for your kit may also include:
- Extra eyeglasses
- Hearing aids
- Battery chargers and extra batteries for hearing aids, motorized wheelchairs, or other battery-operated medical or assistive technology devices
- Supplies for your service animal
- Laminated personal communication board if you need assistance being understood
- If possible, extra medicine, oxygen, insulin, catheters, or other medical supplies you use regularly
- Review and update your plan twice a year
- Register with an assistance program.
- You can check with your city to identify a local registry, if none exist, 2-1-1 Texas may be able to connect you with the services you need
Additional Considerations
- Provide the power company with a list of all power-dependent life-support equipment and plan for an alternate power source in advance
- In the event you are home alone or unable to converse with responders, display important health and medical information on your refrigerator for rapid access by first responders
- Practice "Assertive Communication" by carrying a written copy of key phrases such as:
- "I cannot read. I can point to pictures or key words you will find in my emergency kit."
- "I may have difficulty understanding what you are telling me. Please speak slowly and use simple language."
- "I forget easily. Please write down information for me."
The STEAR program is a free registry that provides local emergency planners and emergency responders with additional information on the needs in their community. Texas communities use the registry information in different ways. Registering yourself in the STEAR registry DOES NOT guarantee that you will receive a specific service during an emergency. Available services will vary by community. For more information on how your community will use information in the STEAR registry, contact your local emergency management office.
Who Should Register?
- People with disabilities
- People who are medically fragile
- People with access and functional needs such as:
- People who have limited mobility
- People who have communication barriers
- People who require additional medical assistance during an emergency event
- People who require transportation assistance
- People who require personal care assistance
Additional Information:
How to Register:
- Register Online at State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry
- Dial 2-1-1 or use your video telephone relay option of choice to contact 211 at 877-541-7905 (Texas Information Referral Network)
- STEAR Individual Registration Form (2022) (PDF)
- Registro del Estado de Texas para Asistencia en Casos de Emergencia (STEAR) 2022 (PDF)
Registration is VOLUNTARY
Registering for STEAR doesn't guarantee you assistance in an emergency. By registering in STEAR you are consenting to sharing your information with first responders and other state agencies during a disaster.