Fwd: MEMA Hurricane Shelter-in-Place Bews Release

SHELTER-IN-PLACE FOR A HURRICANE

MEMA Offers Tips to Help Keep Your Family Safe

                                                    

FRAMINGHAM, MA – "Shelter-in-Place is a standard protective action utilized in Emergency Management," states Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Kurt Schwartz. "It is most often used during an event in which hazardous materials have been accidentally released into the atmosphere, but also during other dangerous conditions, such as hurricanes, flooding, blizzards, or law enforcement activity when it is safest to remain indoors."

 

If a hurricane is ever upon New England, state or local Public Safety Officials may instruct you to 'Shelter-in-Place'.  As with an evacuation, you could be alerted in a variety of ways to a Shelter -in-Place request. Learn what methods are utilized in your community. They could include:

 

·         Local notification systems such as "Reverse 9-1-1 type" systems. These systems usually require opt-in/registration in advance, so check with your local public safety officials about which system they use and how to register.

·         Local notifications from public safety vehicles public address announcements or door to door notifications.

·         Outdoor sirens.

·         Commercial media.

·         MEMA's Ping4 smartphone app

·         MEMA's Twitter or Facebook accounts or the social media accounts of a public safety

agency in your community.

·         The Emergency Alert System (EAS) via radio and television.

·         Wireless Emergency Alerts.

·         All Hazards National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio.

·         U.S. Coast Guard Marine Broadcast

·         A message on Teletypewriters (TTY).

 

Planning for Shelter-in-Place

·         Assemble an Emergency Kit to keep in your home. These items and supplies may be

necessary during a shelter-in-place when you are not able to leave your home.

·         If you undergo routine medical treatments or receive home health services, work with your

service provider in advance to understand options during an emergency where you could

not leave your home and service providers could not come to your home.

·         Install hurricane shutters or prepare pre-drilled plywood sheets to protect windows. (Masking

tape does not work.)

·         Learn how to shut off any systems that involve air handling in case you are asked to turn

them off, including fans, air conditioners, kitchen & bath exhaust fans, forced hot air heating

systems and other sources of outside air.

 

              If You Are Asked to Shelter-in-Place

 

·         Bring all family members and pets indoors. Remain indoors, preferably in a room in the

center of the home with the fewest windows and door, until instructed otherwise.

·         Close and lock all windows and doors to ensure a tight seal.

·         Close drapes, blinds and window shades.

·         Do not call your 9-1-1 unless you have an emergency. Call 2-1-1 for information or questions.

·         Stay tuned to your Emergency Alert System radio station or other news media to get updated information.

·         Locate your Emergency Kit and keep it nearby in case you need it.

·         Since emergency conditions can change quickly, be prepared in case you need to leave your

home or are asked to evacuate.

·         If you are in your vehicle and instructed to 'Shelter in Place' and are close to you home,

workplace or a public building, go there immediately.

 

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA and Preparedness, go to www.mass.gov/mema. Also, continue to follow MEMA updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MassEMA; Facebook at www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA. Download the free ping4alert! app to your Smartphone to receive important weather alerts and emergency messages from MEMA.  Easy instructions are available at www.mass.gov/mema/mobileappp.

 

Fwd: Situational Awareness Statement: Request to Voluntarily Conserve Electricity

MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY SITUATIONAL AWARENESS STATEMENT

July 18, 2013

 

Earlier today, ISO New England issued the following request for electricity consumers to implement voluntary conservation measures due to the spike in demand for electricity resulting from the high temperatures and humidity.  

 

From ISO New England:

 

ISO New England Continues Request for Voluntary Electricity Conservation Precautionary step due to high temperatures and electricity demand

 

Holyoke, MA—July 18, 2013—As the heat wave persists in New England, ISO New England, operator of the bulk electric power system, is extending its request for consumers to voluntarily conserve electricity through the end of the week. This request continues to be a precautionary measure to help keep supply and demand in balance as consumer demand is forecasted to increase.

 

Taking simple, practical steps to reduce electricity use, particularly between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., will help the ISO manage system conditions. The public's response to past conservation requests have been effective, and ISO New England suggests several ways to reduce electricity consumption and advises that these measures be taken consistent with one's health and safety:

 

• Raise air conditioning thermostats by a few degrees if health permits. A suggested temperature range is between 74°F–78°F

• Turn off unneeded lights and appliances

• Turn off unnecessary office equipment

• Shut off air conditioners when leaving home for extended periods of time

• Defer laundry and other chores requiring electricity until the early morning or late evening hours

 

Peak demand and forecasts

Preliminary data indicate that electricity demand peaked yesterday, July 17, at 26,655 megawatts (MW), which is the tenth highest demand day on record in New England. Today, ISO New England is forecasting a peak demand of 27,900 MWand similar conditions are forecasted for tomorrow, Friday, July 19. New England's current all-time record for electricity usage is 28,130 MW, which was set on August 2, 2006. In New England, one megawatt of electricity can power approximately 1,000 homes.

 

Operating procedures to maintain reliability ISO New England continues to monitor the power system closely. If demand for electricity were to outstrip supply, the ISO has a series of well-established steps it can take to bring the system back into balance, including calling on demand-response resources to curtail their electric energy use and seeking additional power from neighboring regions.

 

 

 

Kurt N. Schwartz

Undersecretary, Homeland Security & Emergency Management

Director, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security

 

 

--
Lee Ann Delp, RPL
978-308-9166 Cell
http://www.wnema.org/

http://www.ma911.org/

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Lightning Strikes – Stay Safe

Thunderstorms are dangerous due to lightning. Although lightning fatalities have decreased over the past 30 years, lightning continues to be one of the top three storm-related killers in the United States. Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors in the summer months in the afternoon and evening. Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term, deliberating symptoms.

• Be smart this summer to help reduce your risks. Below are a few tips to start:
• Postpone outdoor activities when a storm is being forecasted.
• Unplug electronic equipment before the storms begins.
• Remember the 30/30 Lightning Safety Rule: The first "30" represents 30 seconds. If the time between when you see the flash and hear the thunder is 30 seconds or less, the lightening is close enough to hit you.
• During a storm, use your NOAA Weather Radio for updates from local officials
• Avoid contact with any metal – tractors, motorcycles, bicycles, and golf clubs
• Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower or wash dishes and do not laundry. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity.

For more tips and helpful information visit: http://www.ready.gov/thunderstorms-lightning

Fwd: MEMA Hurricane Power Outage Tips

MEMA ISSUES POWER OUTAGE SAFETY TIPS

Extended Loss of Power, During and After a Hurricane, Is a Real Possibility

 

FRAMINGHAM, MA - "The severe winds experienced during hurricanes and tropical storms have the potential to cause power outages throughout the Commonwealth during this Hurricane Season," warns Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Kurt Schwartz. "As we have experienced in recent years with a variety of storms, strong winds have the capability to topple utility poles and trees, as well as snap tree limbs causing them to fall on power lines and disrupt electrical service."

 

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has the following tips for dealing with a possible power outage:

 

·   Check flashlights and portable radios to ensure that they are working, and you have extra batteries.  A radio is an important source of critical weather and emergency information during a storm. 

·   If a storm is coming that may bring power outages, fully charge your cell phone, laptop, and any other devices in advance of a power outage.

·   If your water supply could be affected by a power outage (a well-water pump system), fill your bathtub and spare containers with water.  Water in the bathtub should be used for sanitation purposes only, not as drinking water.  Pouring a pail of water from the tub directly into the bowl can flush a toilet.

·   Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored).  During an outage, do not open the refrigerator or freezer door unnecessarily.  Food can stay cold in a full refrigerator for up to 24 hours, and in a well-packed freezer, for 48 hours (24 hours if it is half-packed).  Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!

·   If you have medication that requires refrigeration, check with your pharmacist for guidance on proper storage during an extended outage.

·   If you have life-support devices that depend on electricity, contact your local electric company about your power needs for life-support devices (home dialysis, suction, breathing machines, etc.) in advance of an emergency. Some utility companies will put you on a "priority reconnection service" list. Talk to your equipment suppliers about your power options and also let the fire department know that you are dependent on life-support devices

·  Follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines when using a generator.  Always use outdoors, away from windows and doors. Carbon Monoxide fumes are odorless and can quickly accumulate indoors. Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator directly into household wiring, a practice known as "backfeeding." This is extremely dangerous and presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices.

·   Do not call 9-1-1 to report your power outage or to ask for information, use 9-1-1 only for emergencies.  Contact your utility company to report the outage and get restoration information.

·   In order to protect against possible voltage irregularities that can occur when power is restored, you should unplug all sensitive electronic equipment, including TVs, computers, stereo, DVR, VCR, microwave oven, cordless telephone, answering machine and garage door opener. (Review the process for manually operating an electric garage door.)

·   Leave one light on so that you will know when your power returns.

·   Don't get overheated. If the power goes out when it is hot outside, take these steps to stay cool: stay in the lowest level of your home where it will be coolest; put on light-weight, light-colored clothing; drink lots of water, even if you don't feel thirsty; remember to give your pets and/or service animal fresh, cool water; and if you need it, see if your community has "cooling centers" or shelters open.

·   Be extra cautious when you go outside to inspect for damage after a storm.  Downed or hanging electrical wires can be hidden by trees or debris, and could be live.  Never attempt to touch or move downed lines, and keep children and pets away from them.  Do not touch anything power lines are touching, such as tree branches or fences.  Always assume a downed line is a live line.  Call your utility company to report any outage-related problem.

·   If driving and traffic lights are out, treat every intersection as a four-way stop.

·   Check in on friends, family, and neighbors, particularly those most susceptible to extreme temperatures and power outages such as seniors and those with access and functional needs.

 

 

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA and Preparedness, go to www.mass.gov/mema. Also, continue to follow MEMA updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MassEMA; Facebook at www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA. Download the free ping4alert! app to your Smartphone to receive important weather alerts and emergency messages from MEMA.  Easy instructions are available at www.mass.gov/mema/mobileappp.