A grass fire that brought the possibility of evacuations within the hospital district in Amarillo, Texas, raised discussions on preparing for the worst case scenario, according to an article on the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal website.

An estimated 400 acres of land was charred in the blaze. There were no injuries, damaged structures or evacuations; although responders said they were in constant communication with hospital personnel throughout the duration of the effort to contain the fire.

“When faced with circumstances that may call for evacuations, the Emergency Operations Center is not on the scene,” Office of Emergency Management Director Chip Orton said. “The persons who make the evacuation call are typically police and fire. They are on the front line, have thorough knowledge of the threat and let us know.”

Orton said while hospitals and businesses have their own evacuation plans, the police and fire departments coordinate with city management and a myriad of other city departments and agencies to maintain constant communication as a means of providing the necessary lead time to ensure a safe transition.

Read the article.