Frequently Asked Questions

The City and County of Broomfield maintains a dedicated Emergency Status web page at Broomfield.org/EmergencyStatus. This page is always live and displays an “inactive” status when no incident is occurring. When an incident occurs, the page is activated and updated throughout the event as information becomes available.

Alert Center Web Banner

In addition to adding information to the Emergency Status page, when an alert is issued/active an initial message will appear as an alert banner at the top of all City and County of Broomfield webpages. 

Alert Center Notifications

• Residents can subscribe to receive push notifications via text, email or both when an Alert Center message is published on the website.
• Go to the "NotifyMe" section of Broomfield.org
• Utilize the "Notify Me Sign In" button to sign in or create a profile
• Scroll down to the “Alert Center” section and look for “Fire Alerts and Restrictions”
• Select your preference of email (envelope icon) or text (phone icon) notifications and follow system prompts to complete sign up.

Evacuation-related decisions are made collaboratively among North Metro Fire (NMFRD), the Broomfield Police Department (BPD), and the CCOB Office of Emergency Management (OEM).

When an incident begins, real-time assessments are conducted by crews on scene, Battalion Chiefs, and the District Operations Center. These assessments consider multiple dynamic factors, including:

• Fire behavior and rate of spread
• Wind speed and direction
• Exposure risk and terrain
• Road access and evacuation feasibility
• Ability to safely deploy resources

As the incident evolves, all of these factors are assessed and the decision is made when evacuation orders are warranted. Communication will then be shared through the mass emergency notification systems (LookoutAlert for Broomfield) and on the Broomfield.org/EmergencyStatus web page.

Under Colorado statute, the authority to order a mandatory evacuation rests with the County Sheriff. In the City and County of Broomfield, that statutory authority resides with the Chief of Police. That legal framework is clear and remains unchanged.

In practice, evacuation decisions are made through unified command and close, real-time coordination. If North Metro Fire and Rescue District (NMFRD) determines that conditions on the ground warrant evacuation, the Broomfield Police Department (BPD) activates the legal authority and implements the process with direct support from NMFRD. Likewise, if BPD initiates an evacuation, NMFRD immediately supports it operationally.

Police and fire agencies operate under the standardized Incident Command System (ICS), which places time-sensitive decisions in the hands of trained professionals observing conditions as they unfold. This operational approach avoids dangerous delays during fast-moving incidents.

CCOB does not maintain neighborhood-specific evacuation plans. Emergency conditions vary significantly with each event, and pre-designated evacuation routes or plans may be ineffective—or unsafe—depending on fire location, wind conditions, road access, congestion and other real-time hazards.

Instead, evacuation guidance is provided based on actual conditions as they unfold, including targeted notifications and door-to-door alerts when feasible. Emergency shelter locations are also determined based on incident-specific needs.

North Metro Fire and Rescue District (NMFRD) has completed extensive wildland-urban interface planning for areas such as Whistlepig and other open space corridors.

Public safety is everyone’s responsibility

The best way to protect your family and your property during an emergency is to prepare and plan ahead of time. Don't wait for disaster to hit your community. You can:

• Prepare Emergency Go-Bags: put together a 72-hour emergency “go-bag” supply kit.
• Make a Family Plan: talk to all family members as you may not all be together when disaster strikes.
• Develop an Evacuation Plan: know about the different levels of evacuation and evacuation routes and how to respond.
• Evaluate Your House: call your local fire, forestry, or natural resources office, or go to www.firewise.org for home-hardening design and landscaping tips.

Visit the Wildfire Preparedness page on Broomfield.org for more information and links to this information. You can also visit the North Metro Fire Rescue District on their Plan and Prepare web page for more details.

The communication cadence for first responders and the city change based on what type of incident is occurring. For something like a wildfire or conflagration incident, your best sources for the most updated and accurate information are:

LookoutAlert

• LookoutAlert is the official emergency notification system of the City and County of Broomfield
• It uses the Smart911 platform, which provides enhanced capabilities. You can receive free alerts through this system via text message, email, and/or voice message - BUT ONLY IF YOU SUBSCRIBE!
• Visit the Emergency Notifications page to subscribe.

Emergency Status Incident web page

• The Broomfield.org/EmergencyStatus web page should be your primary source of information
• This page is already published and is always live with the “inactive” header
• Once an incident occurs, it will be activated.
• It is updated throughout an incident as additional information becomes available.

Alert Center

• Alert Center Web Banner
  • In addition to adding information to the Emergency Status page, when an alert is issued/active an initial message will appear as an alert banner at the top of all City and County of Broomfield webpages  
• Alert Center Notifications
  • Residents can subscribe to receive push notifications via text, email or both when an Alert Center message is published on the website.
  • Go to the "NotifyMe" section of Broomfield.org
  • Utilize the "Notify Me Sign In" button to sign in or create a profile
  • Scroll down to the “Alert Center” section and look for “Fire Alerts and Restrictions”
  • Select your preference of email (envelope icon) or text (phone icon) notifications and follow system prompts to complete sign up.

Official City, Police and Fire social channels