Emergency Preparedness Resources Collection

June 27, 2017

The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine offer and Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management collection of resources. “Recent events have proven that even prepared communities can be overwhelmed in a state of state of emergency. This collection of reports provides guidelines and targeted resources for all stakeholders in a disaster response, including state and local governments, emergency medical services and health care centers. These reports also examine the improvement of emergency services in rural communities and recommends post-disaster public engagement practices.”

To browse the selection of free downloads, visit https://www.nap.edu/collection/35/emergency-preparedness-disaster-management.

Connecticut Emergency Alert Mobile App

August 30, 2016

Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced the launch of a new emergency preparedness mobile application for Connecticut residents that provides information and alerts in emergency situation, and also helps residents prepare in advance of an emergency.

The “CT Prepares” app, which can be downloaded to most smartphones, incorporates and integrates text messaging, email, and social networking, allowing residents to communicate with family members during an emergency. Real-Time notifications including emergency news, state office closings, and public safety messages can be sent directly to the device, providing up-to-the-minute information for residents.

“We are constantly planning and constantly preparing to remain one step ahead of potential emergency situations. This is yet another tool in our goal to be as resilient as we can be as a state. As we have seen in past storms and emergency situations, communication is critical. The CT Prepares app will no doubt help us in that effort by providing residents with critical information during emergencies. I encourage residents to download this app to their mobile devices,” Governor Malloy said.

“With just a keystroke, anyone can download the CT Prepares app to their mobile devices and in a matter of a minute, be better prepared for any disaster or emergency they may face,” Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) Commissioner Dora Schriro said. “And that’s especially important as we approach the height of this year’s hurricane season in Connecticut.”

Other features of the app include:

Send an “I’m Safe” message to contacts via email, text, and social networks
View real-time alerts for emergencies, weather and traffic
View current and extended National Weather Service forecasts based on current location
Access Connecticut Emergency Management Agency news and events
View emergency preparation guides for different types of emergencies
Locate Connecticut Emergency Management contacts and other useful emergency resources

The app can be downloaded for free from the iTunes Apple Store for Apple devices and Google Play for Android devices by searching the keyword “CT Prepares.” It was developed jointly by DESPP and Connecticut Interactive.

National Preparedness Toolkit

August 23, 2016

Preparedness logo

September is recognized as National Preparedness Month (NPM) which serves as a reminder that we all must take action to prepare, now and throughout the year, for the types of emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, and also where we visit. Due to the success of last year’s theme, “Don’t Wait, Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today,” will be returning for this September with a continuing emphasis on preparedness for youth, older adults, and people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. You can access a toolkit at https://www.ready.gov/september.

Emergency Preparedness for Families in Coastal Communities in Southeastern Connecticut

July 8, 2016

Karen-Mary Ellen — Karen Filchak and Mary Ellen Welch shared family and home emergency preparedness information at the Community Safety, Health and Wellness Day held for Stonington residents in May.
Photo: Faye Griffiths-Smith

UConn Extension has received a two-year grant from USDA-NIFA to work with residents in four Southeastern Connecticut coastal communities promoting storm (coastal or heavy precipitation event) preparedness. The coastal communities of Connecticut and Rhode Island are impacted by flooding, storm surge, and wind causing property damage during major storm events such as nor’easters and hurricanes. The Universities of Connecticut and Rhode Island are collaborating to provide preparedness education and planning support for select communities including town officials, commissions and residents. The multi-state team will target densely populated coastal towns and will conduct assessments of vulnerability, determine risks, and identify how the risks can be mitigated through preparatory actions. One of the primary goals is to educate citizens, towns, and businesses to make sound decisions in advance of storms.

Extension will engage a variety of community partners and citizens to participate in

Karen-Faye — Preparing emergency go-kits for family members and pets as well as organizing financial and household records were a few of the topics addressed by Karen Filchak and Faye Griffiths-Smith.
Photo: Mary Ellen Welch

workshops to learn how to assess and protect vulnerable properties, including residential, common community, business and agricultural properties. Extension and Sea Grant Educators will offer workshops on community preparedness, family preparedness, assembling a family emergency kit and go pack, family financial emergency records preparation, and household preparation. Another goal is to introduce Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) materials to these populations to make them familiar with these online resources and those available through land grant universities and agencies such as NIFA/HUD, FEMA and Red Cross. We will identify and market existing on-line resources and apps to deal with property impacts before and after storms in the selected communities. Stonington has been identified as the 2016 pilot community for the project.

For more information, contact Mary Ellen Welch, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator and Principal Investigator on the grant at mary.welch@uconn.edu

Equine Disaster Planning

July 7, 2016

Dr. Jenifer Nadeau has developed a fact sheet on How to Prepare for Equine Disasters, the fourth in a series on best practices in effective horse management. The fact sheet reads:

“We have all watched the evening news and seen horses stranded in floods or have heard about the latest barn fire in our communities. First, some shocking statistics. Every year, floods in the United States cause $2 billion in damage and animals risk death from hypothermia or drowning. Annually more than 300,000 people are driven from their homes by floods. An estimated 20,000 agricultural fires per year result in $102 million in direct property loss.”

Survival Training for Fishermen

May 16, 2016

entering life rafts — Fishermen practice climbing into the life raft from the water in their immersion suits. The strongest person enters first, to help the rest of the crew into the raft. Photo: Nancy Balcom.

Trainer Ed Dennehy from Fishing Partnership Support Services watches as fishermen practice entering the water in their immersion suits properly. Photo: Nancy Balcom.

A fisherman practices fire suppression with a crew member providing backup.; Trainer Jake Cabral from Fishing Partnership Support Services looks on. Photo: Nancy Balcom.

swim practice — Fishermen practice staying together and moving through the water as a group in their immersion suits in order to provide as large a target as possible for rescuers. Photo: Nancy Balcom.

Nancy Balcom, Associate Director and Program Leader, Connecticut Sea Grant, and Senior Extension Educator, UConn Extension, organized and facilitated safety and survival training for 49 commercial fishermen. The training was sponsored by Connecticut Sea Grant, US Coast Guard, University of Connecticut and the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association on May 4, 2016 at the University of Connecticut – Avery Point. Drill instructor certification for 24 fishermen was conducted on May 5, 2016. Training was provided by Fishing Partnership Support Services (MA) and by Coast Guard F/V Examiners from New Haven CT and Coram (Long Island) NY.

UConn Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)