Massachusetts is taking steps to make sure its citizens are prepared for emergency situations.
The “Together We’re Ready” campaign is promoting Emergency Preparedness Month across the state. The city of Pittsfield has recently joined the effort. The campaign aims to encourage Bay State residents to take the necessary steps to prepare for public health emergencies. Mary Clark is the Director of the Emergency Preparedness Bureau at the state’s Department of Public Health.
"All emergencies start locally so you’re looking at an event and whether or not the local community has the resources and the capacity to respond to it,” Clark said. “If they don’t then you’re looking at whether or not they can work with the communities around them in terms of mutual aid and sharing of resources.”
The Emergency Preparedness Bureau divides the state into seven regions to create localized public health and response information and resources. The western region’s headquarters is located in Northampton. Emergency preparedness has garnered more attention since Hurricanes Sandy and Irene have reached areas not typically affected by such storms, Clark says.
“Generally the western part of the state doesn’t expect to have significant damage from hurricanes,” Clark said. “We think of that as more coastal or eastern part of the state. But, I think the work that has been done by local health and emergency management since 2001 and after has given them the tools and experience to be able to respond to something that is unexpected.”
Gina Armstrong is the Director of Public Health for the city of Pittsfield. She says events ranging from power outages, water supply emergencies and extreme weather can force people from their homes.
"Over the last several years, especially in the Northeast, we’ve seen severe storm events in the winter such as ice storms which can cause power outages for a few days for some folks,” said Armstrong.
There are 46 reserve medical corps across the state that include volunteers who assist municipal emergency services in public health situations. Armstrong says volunteer groups like the American Red Cross and the Berkshire Medical Reserve Corps play a key role in the regional response.
“A wide range of volunteers are needed in an emergency event,” Armstrong said. “People who have a medical background to people who can help with setting up a shelter, bringing food and water supplies to a specific neighborhood.”
Armstrong says preparation is also important for individuals and families, especially for those with family members or neighbors who are elderly or require special needs.
"A three day amount of supplies for all the household members is recommended,” Armstrong said. “Such as having a gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, a hand-operated can opener, a battery-operated radio and flashlight to make sure they have the information they need and can stay informed. Other things, such as an adequate supply of medications that family members may need.”
Clark says people shouldn’t feel overwhelmed by the need to immediately prepare.
“Aspects of preparedness that you can work on and gradually become better prepared as an individual or a family so that you’ll be more resilient when an emergency does happen,” said Clark.
As part of the campaign an informational video featuring state health and emergency officials and other tips are available through the city of Pittsfield’s website.