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WRHSAC supported the Commonwealth Police ID project by providing funding to ensure that police personnel from western Massachusetts received new IDs. The project provided uniform secure identification cards to sworn law enforcement officers through the Commonwealth. This was completed in 2012
Reference: Police ID
The disasters of 2011 that struck western Massachusetts and the regions’ response to these disasters, has garnered attention to the work of the WRHSAC, the first responders of the region, and increased awareness of the importance of preparedness in the region and throughout the Commonwealth. Due to this increased awareness and subsequent desire for information the Chair of the WRHSAC, Major Thomas Grady of the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office, will be a presenter in a workshop, Hurricanes, Blizzards, Tornadoes and Floods: Municipal Preparation, Response and Recovery, at the MMA Annual Meeting in January, 2012.
WRHSAC conducted regionally based After Action Reports to review the regional response to both the June 1, 2011 Tornado that touched down in Hampden County and ran into Worcester County, and Tropical Storm Irene 2011. Both AARs showed the many strengths and areas for improvement in the response from first responder agencies throughout the region. WRHSAC uses both these documents to identify areas of need in emergency preparedness. The documents are considered “sensative but unclassified.” WRHSAC has therefore decided not to post the documents to the website. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of either AAR, please contact Susan Brown, Homeland Security Program Manager.
Reference: Public Safety Communications, Shelter Planning, Tornado, Tropical Storm Irene
The WRHSAC provides funding for first responder training. These funds allow emergency personnel access to nationally certified, professional level trainings that would otherwise be inaccessible due to department and municipality budget circumstances. Examples of some recent and ongoing training efforts include:
The WRHSAC has coordinated several project related to preparedness planning for mass care, sheltering, and evacuation for the region. These efforts link into recently statewide efforts. Much of the work done by WRHSAC is being used as templates for the statewide projects. The WHRSAC projects include:
Reference: Evacuation, Public Emergency Communciation Strategies, Shelter Planning, Sheltering Equipment
Berkshire County Simulcast system serves the majority of public safety agencies in Berkshire County. Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office dispatches the system. The system is supported through user fees. The WRHSAC has been assisting with the buildout of Berkshire County’s UHF/VHF Simulcast system over several years. Recent work upgraded the system from one simplex county fire channel to three channels on the system. The project also added UHF/VHF simulcast and regional repeaters to an existing tower in Northern Berkshire County. This upgrade was completed in late 2012.
Reference: Berkshire County Simulcast, Interoperability, Public Safety Communications
The Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council purchased three portable video downlink receivers which are housed in the Mobile Command Unit in Springfield and the Field Communication Units in Greenfield and Pittsfield. The receiver accepts video downlink from the Massachusetts State Police Airwing Helicopters or other video sources, which can provide crucial above scene information. The receivers are available for mutual aid use and can be utilized in any field-based, or building-based command setup. The units can be requested through your emergency dispatch.
Reference: Field Communication Units, Video downlink
The Western Massachusetts Sheriff Information Network (WMSIN) was developed through funds awarded by the WRHSAC. This system allows law enforcement agencies to conduct “live” searches of the House of Correction databases of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties. Recently this system was adopted by all the Sheriffs of the Commonwealth as the standard for database information sharing. A new module was added to the Hampden County system which allows the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department to send inmate medical related data to hospitals, mental health providers, and other health agencies while maintaining HIPPA requirements. This information is especially useful when individuals are transitioning back into the community and seeking health related care. This latest module was added in 2012.
Reference: Information Sharing, Sherrif Information Network
Through this project the Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council provided funds for equipment additions and upgrades to the Region 4 & 5 Hazardous Materials Response Teams in Western Massachusetts. The equipment will improve detection capabilities and responder protection equipment. Purchases include the Area Rae Rapid Deployment kit which provides for quick assessment of chemical and radiological threats. This project was completed in 2012.
Reference: Hazardous materials response team, hazmat equipment, Region 4 & 5 Hazmat
The WRHSAC assisted the Springfield Fire Department Bomb Squad in upgrading their equipment. Enhancements include new bomb suits, robot upgrades, digital imaging software, and on-scene communication devices. The Springfield Bomb Squad responds regionally throughout Western Massachusetts. This project was completed in 2012
Reference: Bomb Squad Equipment, Springfield Fire Department
