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Report of the Southwick Emergency Management Agency 2009

The Southwick Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has the responsibility of All Hazards Coordination with all local town departments and local volunteer service agencies in times of emergency crisis or disaster. S.E.M.A. is the local government liaison to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and to the Federal Emergency Management Agency in emergency and disaster mitigation, preparation, response and recovery. This department oversees that our local government is able to function during times of fragmentation and also during times of “Declaration of Emergency”. This is accomplished by maintaining and annually updating the Southwick Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, coordinating an all Town department Continuity of Government / Continuity of Operations Planning, and providing an Emergency Operations Center to be used by our elected officials and critical key department chiefs and directors during times of emergency and disaster.

Members:

Director: Charles H. Dunlap
Assistant Director: Keith Stromgren
Assistant Director: Charles Housner
Communications Officer: Eric Carroll
Joan Boissonnault
John Cashman
Pauline Dunlap
Mary Grasso
David Houle
Peter F. Jakobowski, Sr.
Peter F. Jakobowski, Jr.
John Long
Robert Miller
Howard Pohlman
Aaron Dewinkeleer

Under the all-hazards concept during times of warnings and emergency crisis situations, members are on standby or activated for response to the Emergency Operations Center or Mobile Emergency Communications Command Vehicle. The following serious events and warnings were encountered during the past year from January 1st to December 31st:

Electric Power Failures                 
13
Water Breaks                            
9
Closures of Hwy/Roads
 
MA Route 57                     
3
US Route 202/MA 10              
4
MA Route 168                    
2
Other secondary         
15
Red Flag fire warnings (high temp. dry  Windy conditions)
5
NWS Freeze Warning 18 May
 
and late Oct. Severe winter storm warning
6
High Wind Warning                       
2
Flash Flood warning                     
1
Severe thunderstorm warnings            
7
Snow Mobile / ATV / Boat Accident       
4
Food Warnings                           
4
Town Offices evacuation         
1
Presid.Pandemic H1N1 Declaration        
1
Emer.Operations. Center activations     
3
Terrorism Warnings                      
8
Terrorism Attack                        
2
Emergency Management Members receive training in Weapons of Mass Destruction Response, NWS SKYWARN Severe Weather Awareness, Western Massachusetts Electric Company-Northeast Utilities and ISO New England Power Safety- Damage Assessment and Power Restoration coordination program, Communications (Federal, State and Local) Interoperability training, Incident Command System for levels 100/200/300/400, CPR, and First Aid. Members attended a Pipeline Safety conference, Advanced Emergency Communications workshop, DOT Nuclear Transportation Accident Response, and Hazardous Material Transportation Accident orientation.
 
Five members assisted with the Vermont Yankee Nuclear training drills and exercise at the Greenfield Community College evacuation reception area. Members assisted in Homeland Security grant applications, Department of Public Health pandemic planning, Boy and Girl Scout Emergency Preparedness merit badge training, hosting a multi-community twenty-four hour disaster communications exercise placing 13th between U.S. and Canadian participants. Members assisted at the Firemen’s Fireworks display and with the National MotoCross, Regional School District Halloween nights’ security detail, Woodland Elementary School H1N1 flu clinic and a statewide-simulated Hurricane Exercise.
 
A military Deuce and Half cargo truck and a converted military trailer has been set up for deployment for emergency generator power and lighting at emergency incidents, public events and shelter needs. The Emergency Management Agency also has a Mobile EOC Communications Command vehicle, which is also available for public safety deployment.
 
Six Emergency Operations Center Orientation tours were given to Emergency Management Directors and visiting State, Local and private individuals. The Comprehensive Emergency Operations Management Plan has been revised and Continuity of Operations Planning - Continuity of Government departmental plans developed, and assistance given to town departments for a federally mandated training program of Incident Command System and National Incident Management. A new MEMA State radio system is now operational to improve public safety communications interoperability.
 
Our goal is to have each resident able to prepare and be able to cope with an all hazard emergency for at least 72 hours for all immediate family basic needs of: water, food, and medical needs, before help may arrive. People with special needs are of concern during emergencies.Further information on volunteering or all hazard emergency preparedness may be obtained from any Emergency Management member or by calling the Director at 569-0308.
 
This year we welcome three new members to Emergency Management: John Long, John Cashman, and Aaron Dewinkeleer. It is with sadness to report the passing of retired Assistant Emergency Management Dir./Aux. Police Lt. Bernard Keefe who spent many devoted years of service to the Town of Southwick.
 
In closing, the hard work and dedication of our appointed volunteer members of the Southwick Emergency Management Team continue to maintain high standards among the other three hundred and fifty one Massachusetts Emergency Management Communities. Information and more in-depth activity, detailed photos of SEMA are on our website.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Charles H. Dunlap, Director