BECAUSE WE CARE

The CAER (Community Awareness Emergency Response) has installed 53 outdoor warning sirens that can be activated over the entire parish. This system does provide effective early warning for the community. If there is any type of emergency that could pose a threat to the people, the sirens will be activated, emitting a loud pulsing signal only in the areas where the immediate action is necessary.

The outdoor warning system will be tested the first Thursday of each month at noon. IF YOU HEAR THE SIGNAL at any other time, you should stay calm; but assume a real emergency exists. Then follow these steps:

.Seek shelter in a building, house or vehicle

.Shut all doors and windows

.Turn off air conditioners or heaters

.Turn television on to any cable channel

Please Note: Since this system is potentially very important to your safety, we want you to pay very close attention each and every time it is activated. It will, therefore, only be activated during actual emergencies that affect you or during actual emergencies that affect you or during periodic texts. It will not be activated for any other reason.

TURN OFF AIR CONDITIONERS OR HEATERS

Close all outside ventilation; such as air conditioners, heaters or ceiling fans. If you are inside and have trouble breathing, place a wet towel over your nose and mouth and try to breathe in quick shallow breaths.

SEEK SHELTER IN A BUILDING, HOUSE OR VEHICLE

Immediately, get yourself and anyone near you into an enclosed structure - a house, building or vehicle. Don't forget children and pets. IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE IN SCHOOL, the teacher will be informed in the event of an emergency. You should not attempt to pick your children up at their school; this would only cause confusion.

You should not attempt an evacuation unless ordered to do so by the EOC (Emergency Operations Center).

SHUT ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS
(Shelter In Place)

Cover any leaky areas, like those around doors and windows, with masking tape, damp towels or sheets and close fireplace dampers. Even a poorly sealed building or vehicle provides some protection against release. IF YOU CAN'T FIND SHELTER, move to a location where the wind is blowing from your left to right or right to left; but not directly into your face or from behind you.

TURN TELEVISION ON TO ANY CABLE CHANNEL

Arrangements have been made to broadcast emergency messages on all St. James Parish cable channels. This system interrupts regular programming and is tested on the first Thursday of each month at Noon.