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<br /> <br />drainage systems and remove water from behind flood control <br />works. <br /> <br />Notes <br /> <br />Most communities find a phased response flood plan is the <br />most effective means of dealing with a flood threat. A phased <br />response allows community preparedness to grow as the threat <br />increases. While response phases may be known by different <br />terms, their functions are usually identical within all planning <br />documents. <br /> <br />The first response phase is normally called the Increased <br />Readiness Phase. This phase may be implemented weeks before a <br />true flood threat develops. The Increased Readiness Phase is <br />generally called when there are strong indicators of a future flood <br />threat. These indicators may include excessively deep snowpacks, <br />the approach of seasonal flood threats, or predicted long term <br />changes in weather patterns. <br /> <br />There are many important preparations that can be taken during <br />the Increased Readiness Phase to prepare a community to respond <br />and mount a flood fight. One of the first steps during this phase is <br />to review all planning documents and update them as necessary. <br />At a minimum, call up lists should be checked, resource.invento- <br />ries verified, telephone numbers updated, and coordination links <br />reviewed with disaster relief agencies. <br /> <br />The Increased Readiness Phase also allows time to provide <br />initial or refresher training for key personneL This can include <br />EOC training sessions and exercises, flood fight training on the use <br />of sandbags and other expedient flood works, volunteer recruit- <br />ment and tracking, procurement, and emergency public informa- <br />tIOn. 'lrammg key personnel IS an Important preparation for any <br />flood emergency. <br /> <br />During this initial phase, essential equipment should be <br />checked and repaired if necessary. Key pieces of equipment <br />include flood gates, sewer shutter valves, generators, pumps, <br />emergency lighting equipment, and flood fight supplies. All <br />equipment should be operated and not just visually inspected. <br /> <br />All waterways and drainage channels should be inspected for <br />excess debris and other materials that may restrict or block the <br />water flow. Particular attention should be paid for junk cars, fallen <br />trees, and accumulations of dead brush that can obstruct the water <br />flow at bridges or work as battering rams against control struc- <br />tures. These materials should be removed from the waterway <br />before they become a significant threat in a flood emergency. <br /> <br />Page3-6 <br />