Emergency Preparedness
The Public Works Department takes very seriously its commitment to provide Emergency response to the citizens of Josephine County.
We have established an Emergency Response Plan and together with service responders from other local agencies, work at minimizing damages caused by inclement weather and/or natural disasters.
In order to be prepared, we provide preventative maintenance such as inspecting and cleaning culverts, ditches, and storm drains; we establish master drainage plan improvements; we ensure we have adequate rock and sanding materials at our Williams, Kerby, Wolf Creek and Grants Pass stockpile sites; we provide training for all responders; we have in place the necessary mapping systems; and we maintain our emergency equipment in a state of readiness.
We recognize 3 levels of response. Level 1, having the lowest priority, is coordinated by our Operations Supervisors. Level 2 involves the Supervisors, the Public Works Superintendent. Level 3, which has a more serious global impact, involves Public Works Management, the Sheriff’s Office, the County's Emergency Operations Center, and other agencies as needed.
To determine the priority in which we respond, the criteria we use is as follows:
Is the emergency:
Life threatening?
Property threatening?
High traffic volume road/ high population density area?
High traffic volume road/ low population density area?
Low traffic volume road/ low population density area? While the Emergency Response Plan we have in place is working well, as we experienced during the flood of 1997, we are continuously improving the process. Based on a survey our department performed early in 1997, the public is generally pleased with the service we provide. However, we’re always happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
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