10:00am to 2:00pm
Thank you to MassLive.com for publishing this article on WRHSAC’s Faith Community Partnering for Emergency Preparedness Emergency Rest Center project.
The Western Massachusetts Tech Rescue Team continues to take formation. WRHSAC has supported the development of the team with funds for both training and equipment. The Hampshire Gazette recently caught up with the team during a training day in Northampton. The article can be found here.
WGGB ran a good story about the Franklin County Tech Rescue and how it has lead to the formation of the Regional Tech Rescue Team. http://www.wggb.com/2013/04/23/new-tech-rescue-team-to-protect-region/
The Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council (WRHSAC) has provided funds to the Western Massachusetts Fire Chiefs Association to conduct both Rope Rescue Training and Confined Space Rescue training for the Regional Team. WRHSAC also provided funds to purchase the trailers and the equipment. Here is a photo of the trailers leaving the manufacturers in North Carolina on their way to Chicopee, where the Regional Tech Rescue Team members are loading the equipment before the trailers are deployed to their staging locations.
The Massachusetts District Four Hazardous Material Response Team provided the summary which follows detailing how both training and equipment purchased by the Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council greatly assisted the HazMat Team in their response to the recent train derailment in West Springfield. Thank you to Captain John Dearborn of Longmeadow Fire Department for this summary.
At the train derailment that took place on 2/21 and 2/22 in West Springfield we utilized several of pieces of equipment and training that was funded and supported by the Council.
First the Tank Car Specialist and The Advanced Tank Car Specialist Courses which the council supported members of the District-4 Haz-Mat team in attending was very useful during this incident. Members who attended this training, conducted the initial damage assessment of the the tank cars and conducted the initial risk assessment for the incident. When the CSX experts arrived and realized that team members had attended the same training they had, and that our damage assessment / risk assessment was ultimately the same as the CSX experts, it made the development of a joint incident action plan much easier.
Second Foam Unit #3 which was purchased with funding from the Council was deployed to the scene.
Foam Trailer at West Springfield Train Derailment
The foam trailer was stationed in a position in which it could be rapidly used for both fire suppression and or vapor suppression should a failure of the Rail Car occur. It should be noted that the type of foam stored on the Foam Units is an AR/AFFF. This foam is capable of suppressing both alcohol and hydrocarbon based fires. This foam is also compatible with many types of chemicals and is very effective as a vapor suppressor, to limit the development of both flammable and toxic vapors.
Third; The AREA RAE Air Monitoring System, Weather Stations and Safer Software where all deployed as a defensive measure. The system was utilized to model several scenarios should a leak or catastrophic failure occur. With real time weather input these scenarios would update and give real time risk assessment and show what populations where at risk during the incident. In the case of a release of the product, the AREA RAE monitors would feed real time readings into the system and would give immediate information to the Incident Management Team. This equipment was deployed for the duration of the incident and performed well.
I hope this brief write up shows the value of the investment the council has made in both equipment and training. Without this investment incidents like this would offer a greater challenge for first responders. I can tell you that in my opinion the public was better protected because of the councils support.
In preparation for the potential severe weather threat from Winter Storm NEMO, the Food Bank of Western Ma has shared their Emergency Food Networks list for each county with their emergency planning / preparedness partners. The Food Bank encourages responders to direct people to these resources if the need arises. Download the pdfs:
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. NEW DATE YET TO BE DETERMINED
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is currently engaged in two important initiatives: developing a multi-year strategic plan for the agency and the overall statewide emergency management program, and developing a statewide mass care and shelter coordination plan. In addition, MEMA is evaluating the planning support we are currently providing to our communities.
MEMA would like to provide Region 3 & 4 Emergency Management Directors with updates and gather feedback on these initiatives. In addition, MEMA would like to learn from you what your needs are at the local level for all-hazards planning support.
MEMA Region 3/4 will be holding three sessions on the following dates/times/locations:
If you are able to participate, please complete this registration form and return it to MEMA Region III/IV by FEBRUARY 8TH.
The Council has created a video to help first responders and municipal officials understand the borrowing procedure for the Emergency Sheltering Equipment Trailers that are located throughout Western Mass. You can find the video on the Resources page.
The Center for Multicultural Mental Health (CMMH) at Boston Medical Center (BMC) and the Emergency Preparedness Bureau at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) is offering free trainings on disaster behavioral health for public health, healthcare, public safety, and other disaster response personnel throughout the Commonwealth. Topics offered throughout the first half of 2013 include Psychological Resilience Basic, Psychological Resilience Train-The-Trainer, and Psychological Resilience Refresher/Advanced.
Complete information is included in this Training Brochure and registration is available here.
Please contact Dr. Lynn Moore with any additional questions: (617) 414 4795 or lynn.moore@bmc.org.
The Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council provided funds for the BearCat Armored response vehicle. The Bearcat is housed in Pittsfield and operated by the Berkshire Special Response Team. The Bearcat was recently presented to western Massachusetts law enforcement agencies at a trade show in Holyoke. See the MassLive.com article of that event here.
