Several Times, See post for specifics

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:

• February 12, 10:30am to 12:30pm, MEMA Region 3/4 Office, Agawam

• February 12, 6:00 – 8:00pm, MEMA Region 3/4 Office, Agawam &

• February 14, 10:00am – 12:00pm, Holden Public Safety Complex

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.

7-9 pm

The Franklin County Regional Emergency Planning Committee invites you to attend a presentation of the TransCanada Hydro Northeast Inc Emergency Action Plan by a representative of TransCanada. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period. Refreshments will be provided.

To submit any questions you would like answered that night by November 8 or for additional information, please contact Tracy Rogers at regionalprep@frcog.org. 

8:30am - 4:00pm

 The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is pleased to announce the offering of the 2012 Statewide Public Assistance Program/ Debris Management Conference.

This FREE Public Assistance Program/Debris Management Conference will offer guidance and best practices on FEMA’s Public Assistance Program – including debris management – within the first 72 hours of an emergency and beyond. Intended audience includes state and local emergency management, public works officials, and municipal leaders.

More information is located here.

5:00 pm

The Hampshire County Select Boards Association will be holding a meeting at the Hatfield American Legion on December 6, 2012, beginning at 5 pm. Lt. Col. Martin Spellacy, Commanding Officer of the Massachusetts National Guard, will give a presentation on the role of the National Guard in providing aid and assistance to cities and towns in the event of a disaster or catastrophic event.

The Association is extending this invitation to Select Boards, Administrators, Fire Chiefs, Police Chiefs, Emergency Managers, and COGs in Hampshire and Franklin Counties.

For details of the meeting, please see this agenda. Please be sure to RSVP .

For additional information, please contact Lydia B. King at the Hampshire Council of Governments at (413) 584-1300 x120 or lking@hampshirecog.org.

The Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council has purchased four SmartDummy Training Mannequins and a Smoke Generator for first responders to utilize in their trainings, drills and exercises. More information about this training equipment and how to request it for your upcoming training is available here.

9:30am - 10:30am

The Formidable Footprint exercise series has been developed in accordance with
Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) protocols. The objective of
the exercise series is for CERTs, Neighborhood Watch Programs, Neighborhood
Associations, Community / Faith Based Organizations, Citizen Corps, Fire Corps and
others to work as a team to become better prepared for the next disaster their community
may face. There is NO CHARGE for participation in any of the Formidable Footprint
exercises. For additional information or to register for up-coming exercises please access
the following web site today: www.FormidableFootprint.org