Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Management

The City of Westland is responsible to its citizens to mitigate or minimize the effects of a man made or natural disaster that may occur within the city limits. 

The Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the City of Westland is the Fire Chief who works in conjunction with Wayne County Emergency Management and the State of Michigan Emergency Management divisions to identify and analyze potential hazards that may face the community. 

This information is used to develop plans and procedures to be used to prepare for and recover from the disaster. These plans are tested, refined, and retested, all with the goal of saving lives and reducing property damage. 

Outdoor Emergency Warning SystemEmergency Warning Systems

The City of Westland has an outdoor Emergency warning System that consists of 10 remote siren sites that have been strategically placed to offer coverage throughout the community. The sirens have been used to warn Westland residents and visitors of any impending threat to life and property. The sirens have the ability to produce four tones, and to broadcast a vocal message. 

When the siren system is activated, the public is advised to go into their homes, turn on the radio and tune into Station 1620am, and/or television and await information through the Federal EWS (Emergency Warning System) as to the pending threat and steps to take for you and your family's safety.

Since the system in Westland is an outdoor warning system, the activation of the sirens may not be heard inside your home. The purpose of this system was to warn people outside to seek shelter indoors. For your protection, you should always be aware of present weather conditions. If the weather looks threatening, turn on a radio or television to keep current on the approaching fronts. A weather alert radio can be purchased to alert you regarding any watches and/or warnings.

Personal Preparedness 

The most important thing citizens can do is to prepare themselves and their families to withstand the effects of disasters. There are several things you can do to ensure your family if prepared. First, you should have a plan. This plan should include items such as where to meet, how to contact family members, and how to let someone know you are safe. Additionally, you should have a supply kit, which includes basic items such as cash, food, water, flashlight, radio, batteries, prescription drugs etc. Your kit should contain enough items to be sufficient for a minimum of three days. For more information on what should be included in your plan and supply kit, go to Ready.gov.

Disaster Assistance

In case of a disaster, there are many programs and organizations designed to assist you in those times of need.

If you are in need of disaster assistance, you can always reach out to the following organizations for help:

  • Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) Helpline - 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585)
  • Red Cross Emergency Assistance Helpline - 1-800-RED-CROSS