Central Maine Power, York County Emergency Management Agency, and York County Cities and Towns Participate in Emergency Management Drill.

ALFRED, Maine —With winter weather around the corner, York County emergency officials staged a crisis to make sure they are prepared for the worst.
"We had a large ice storm that produced 2 inches of ice on Saturday, followed by a blizzard Sunday through Monday that produced 2 to 3 feet of snow," Megan Arsenault, of York County Emergency Management Agency, said.
Fortunately for Mainers this scenario was only a drill. However, you wouldn't know it at the county's command center. Volunteers coordinated with 22 towns for Wednesday's training.
"They call in here to our emergency ops center with their response as if they actually would do it during an event," Arsenault said.
In the scenario, 80 percent of the power in the county is out and staff are forced to call in resources from out of state.
"This exercise is showing us the need for shelters, generators, staff and individuals in the community to be prepared," Arsenault said.
Central Maine Power took part in the drill from its own command center.
"When we have a major storm at Central Maine Power, it's all hands on deck," CMP spokeswoman Gail Rice said.
Emergency crews practice drills like Wednesday's once a year. The drill was similar to the real ice storm in 2008.
"There's a broad range of people that are out there working on storm recovery," Rice said.
CMP's team created a map showing downed power lines, snapped poles and widespread outages.
"We like to practice these major storms that affect at least 10 percent of our customer base, which would be about 60,000 or more customer accounts," Rice said.

No power Line is Safe to touch - EVER.

 

Stay away from downed power lines. Even lines that appear “dead” can be deadly. Also, stay out of flooded basements because energized wiring or outlets may pose a hazard.
For information regarding power outages and recovery, please visit Central Maine Power website at:
http://www.cmpco.com/outages/outageinformation.html

You are subscribed to Daily Preparedness Tips from the Maine Emergency Management Agency.

Governor LePage Urges Mainers to Watch for Updated Weather Forecasts over Weekend

 

Hurricane Joaquin to Remain Far Off East Coast

October 2, 2015
For Immediate Release: Friday, October 2, 2015 Contact: Maine Emergency Management: Kathleen Rusley, (207) 620-0960; MaineDOT: Jon Nass, Deputy Commissioner, (207) 557-0923
AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage joined Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and other state, county, local and private-sector emergency partners today for a conference call with the National Weather Service (NWS) to get an update on the path of Hurricane Joaquin and its potential impact to the State of Maine. NWS predicts the hurricane will stay well off the East Coast and Maine.
“Although the National Weather Services has confidence in forecasting models showing the storm staying out to sea, I urge Mainers to pay close attention to the latest weather forecasts and warnings as updated information becomes available over the weekend,” said Governor LePage. “Flooding events from heavy rainstorms this past week should serve as a reminder to all of us of the importance of being prepared for an emergency.”
Hurricane Joaquin is classified as a Category 4 hurricane, located near the Bahamas. NWS anticipates the Maine coast will experience strong storm surges and possible rip tides as the hurricane moves further away from the east coast Monday and into mid-week. Citizens should take extreme caution when walking along the coastline.
“Maine should see no significant rain or wind impacts from Hurricane Joaquin,” said Maine Emergency Management Agency Director Bruce Fitzgerald. “However, the National Weather Service is cautioning of very strong surf along the coast of Maine early next week.”
MaineDOT reports all roads closed due to flooding from the storms earlier in the week are open. However, additional repair work on some damaged roads continues.
“The best way for the public to get updated information on road conditions and closures is from the Maine 511 system,” said MaineDOT Commissioner David Bernhardt. “You can sign up for email alerts, as well as view interactive road maps with real time conditions, on the Maine 511 website.”
The Atlantic hurricane season officially lasts until November 30, according to the National Hurricane Center. Winter storm events can begin as early as late October in northern parts of the State.
“This is the time of year in Maine when conditions can become extremely dangerous for driving and motorists must start being vigilant about safety,” said MEMA Director Fitzgerald. “I was particularly concerned by some of the images of vehicles driving and people wading through flooded waters reported during the last storm. Citizens should never attempt to walk, swim or drive on or through flooded roadways.”
“Never underestimate the dangers of flood water,” said Governor LePage. “It is impossible to tell the exact depth of water covering a flooded roadway or the condition of the road below the water. Always look for an alternate route.”

FEMA Announces Statewide Test of the Emergency Alert System in Six New England States

FEMA Announces Statewide Test of the Emergency Alert System in Six New England States

As part of FEMA’s mission to strengthen preparedness and resiliency, FEMA is working together with state, local, and tribal emergency managers and state broadcasters, to conduct a statewide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) in six New England states. The test, expected to last approximately one minute, is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 2:20 p.m. EDT.
The test in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island will verify that participating radio, TV, and cable systems are able to receive a National Periodic Test (NPT) code message from the FEMA Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) and broadcast the test message. The test message will be the same as previous EAS test messages, with the word “national” added to the message: “This is a national test of the Emergency Alert System. This is only a test..." The test is designed to occur during the state’s regular monthly EAS test conducted by state officials and broadcasters in the six New England states. It is designed to have limited impact on the public, with only minor disruptions in radio and TV shows.
Participation in the September 16 test is completely voluntary for radio and TV stations and cable operators. There is no Federal Communications Commission liability for stations that choose not to participate. The test is a cooperative effort to ensure that communication channels are available, working and ready to deliver alerts and warnings to the public when an emergency occurs in the six states.
For more information on IPAWS, visit www.fema.gov/ipaws or www.ready.gov/alerts.

Maine Emergency Management Shares List of What to Include in Your Home's "Emergency Pack".

With our Maine weather, you never know when a line will go down, a storm will pop up, a hurricane, nor'easter or blizzard will be in the works.
The Maine Emergency Management folks sent a nice reminder in our e mail today that People in Maine should always be prepared for 3 days without electrical power.
They have provided a list of a suggested "Emergency Pack" that you keep all in one place in a corner of your home or basement.
Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers is pleased to share that list with you...........


What will you need if you can't get out for three days and don't have electricity? Here are some suggestions:

• 3-day supply of nonperishable food that does not require cooking
• 3-day supply of water (1 gallon of water per person, per day)
• Portable, battery powered radio with extra batteries
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Cash
• Telephone that works if the electricity is off
• A safe way to heat food and water: camp stove, etc.
• A way to keep warm if the power is off: sleeping bags, extra blankets, etc.
• 3-day supply of your medicines on hand at all times
• Items for infants: formula, diapers, etc.
• Food and water for pets

Ready to Help the World in the Case of Disaster, The Great Bay Radio Association participates in World Wide ARRL Field Day.

Jason Jasper, Vice President, and former President Michael Lavoie of The Great Bay Radio Association watch over radio transmissions for the ARRL Field Day operations at Calef's Field in Barrington, NH.

 

What would you do if one of your family members were traveling in a foreign country and you heard that the area they were in had experienced a large scale natural disaster? Do you know how you would reach out and contact people in a foreign land and try to find word of your loved one??

What if there were a large earth quake or devastating tornado in New England and we were without power for several weeks. How would you contact your loved ones to let them know you were okay?

In the event of a huge scale disaster, where radio, television and cell towers are useless, who do emergency responders look to in order to help them reach out to other States or to the Federal Government to let them know what is needed in terms of food, fresh water, medical supplies or operations for National Guard presence?

Where do you think the National Weather Service gets their information regarding wind speeds, lightning strikes, rain and snowfall totals, flood levels and more in the wake of a storm where the power grid is all but useless.

 

We never think of these things, because we don't always know what is going on behind the scenes. Our National systems are in place in case of an emergency, and that's all we know. But to small local groups, all over the United States and Canada, this is very serious stuff. They are the ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio, a small band across the world who utilize Ham Radios to provide information to the world on a daily basis.

 

Great Bay Radio Association Past President Michael Lavoie monitors his Ham Radio system

with the use of special equipment that turn radio transmissions into digital information through a computer hookup.

 

 

Talking of Ham Radios, most give a blank stare and many have stated that they thought Ham Radios were what was used way back in WWII. Well, you're right. They were. However, they are still one of the most useful means of communication in the world today as they don't require any cables, and they work off the airwaves and can send and receive messages all over the world.

 

Speaking with Jason Jasper at the Great Bay Radio Association's set up for the ARRL Field Day today, I started out thinking this was just a hobby. But not so. Jason related a story to me about the year of the deadly earthquakes in Haiti. The Strafford County NH group was able to help locate and relay messages from several people who had been visiting in Haiti and who were unable to get messages home to the United States via conventional methods, but wanted to let loved ones know they were okay and being cared for. "Hurricane Katrina was another big communications time for us", he said. The operators also were able to help with communications and coverage for the 2014 The Great Race, which had a stop over in Rochester, NH last summer.

 

Lloyd Rosevear of Dover, NH operates his Morse Code Ham Radio System from a

12 volt battery and a homemade antennae system.

 

 

Jasper, who was spending the 48 hour continuous online Field Day camping in Calef's Field in Barrington with his wife Jessica and their children, spent the time talking about the different methods with which Ham Radios can operate. Jason's radio was powered by generator and was speech generated, like a giant CB radio. Chapter President Michael Lavoie was nearby with a Digital Unit, which he used like a computer and his messages were transmitted much like a wireless computer system, and was also gasoline generator powered. Lloyd Rosevear was operating his system from a 12 volt car battery sitting on the ground by his feet and communicating in Morse Code. The final member broadcasting from the Barrington location, Lou Mattia had a complete communications center set up inside a small camper. His Morse Code system operated off of gasoline generator with a solar panel back up system. "I can go only solar", stated Mattia, "but I need the generator to have enough power for coffee. And you know I need my coffee".

 

Lou Mattia has his Ham Radio equipment set up in a small camper, complete with gasoline generator and solar panel. The compact generator he uses can power his entire set up,

including coffee maker, for 8 hours on a single gallon of gasoline.

 

The solar panel that has the ability to power Lou Mattia's entire communications system is smaller than you may think. Smaller than a breadbox and able

to generate solar power even on mostly cloudy days.

 

 

The Greater Rochester New Hampshire based organization was founded in 1933 and is one of the oldest active Amateur Radio organizations in the area. Their focus is on public service and the advancement of the art of radio transmission. They offer Ham Radio licensing classes to interested persons periodically throughout the year for Technician (basic), General (intermediate) and Extra (master level) Amateur Radio Licenses. Courses are also offered in Disaster Management in concert with the American Radio Relay League and FEMA.

 

Membership in The Great Bay Radio Association is open to any and all people who are interested in Ham Radio operations for any reason. A year's membership costs $20 in dues, (Family membership is $25). Many members of the club are also members in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, the American Radio Relay League and Skywarn, all National level communications clubs which monitor natural, weather, and other emergency situations.

 

The Great Bay Radio Association group holds meetings once a month on the 2nd Monday in their club room at the Rochester NH Community Center (behind the Rochester High School), 150 Wakefield Street, Rochester NH. The group gathers at 6 pm for a fund drive dinner in the form of a cook out, or indoor pot luck style supper, with a meeting immediately following at 7 pm.

 

If you're interested in learning more about Ham Radio operation, or if you'd like to join or visit the club, please feel free to contact current club president, Deirdre Hebert from Dover NH or check out their website at http://www.wlfz.org  or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GreatBayRadioAssoc

 

My thanks to Jason Jasper and the members of The Great Bay Radio Association for inviting me to come and experience the transmissions going on all over the United States and Canada via Ham Radio for the ARRL Field Day event.

 

 

 

 

 

Maine Emergency Management Agency Reminder of The Need for Battery Checks

 

Maine Emergency Management Agency

advises

NOW IS THE TIME TO DO A BATTERY CHECK

 

So, you've got plenty of flashlights, and a battery-powered radio.
Where are those batteries?
 Take stock of what you need, watch the sales flyers, and stock up when there's good deal.
 Don't forget smoke detector and carbon monoxide monitor batteries too.

Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Seniors, But Good Advice for All.

by Home Instead Senior Care.

With severe weather season upon us in the U.S., older adults may be among the most vulnerable victims when disasters strike.
Home Instead Senior Care, has issued a disaster safety preparation checklist to help prepare seniors for the possibility of natural disasters.
"We know that a disaster can be deadly for some seniors because of physical and other limitations," said Jeff Huber, president of Home Instead, Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care® network. "That's why the sooner the better for families to talk with their senior loved ones and begin preparing in advance for any kind of emergency that could threaten their health or safety. Consider this checklist as you help your older adult get ready."
Home Instead Senior Care's Disaster Prep Checklist For Seniors:
Tune in -- Contact the local emergency management office to learn about the most likely natural disasters to strike your area. Stay abreast of what's going on through your local radio or television.
Take stock -- Decide what your senior can or can't do in the event of a natural disaster. Make a list of what would be needed if a disaster occurred. For example, if your loved one is wheelchair-bound, determine an evacuation strategy ahead of time. Prepare for whatever disaster could hit the area.
To go or to stay? -- When deciding to evacuate, older adults should go sooner rather than later. By waiting too long, they may be unable to leave if they require assistance.
Make a plan -- Schedule a family meeting to develop a plan of action. Include in your plan key people – such as neighbors, friends, relatives and professional caregivers – who could help.
More than one way out -- Seniors should develop at least two escape routes: one to evacuate their home and one to evacuate their community. The local emergency management office can tell you escape routes out of the community.
Meet up --- Designate a place to meet relatives or key support network people outside the house, as well as a second location outside the neighborhood, such as a school or church. Practice the plan twice a year.
Get up and "Go Kit."-- Have an easy-to-carry backpack including three days non-perishable food and water with an additional four days of food and water readily accessible at home. Have at least one gallon of bottled water per person per day. Refresh and replace your supplies at least twice a year. And don't forget the blanket and paper products such as toilet paper.
Pack extras and copies -- Have at least a one-month supply of medication on hand at all times. Make ready other important documents in a waterproof protector including copies of prescriptions, car title registration and driver's license, insurance documents and bank account numbers, and spare checkbook. Also take extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries. Label every piece of important equipment or personal item in case they are lost.
Your contact list -- Compile a contact list and include people on a senior's support network as well as doctors and other important health-care professionals.
If you can't be there -- If you're not living close by to help your loved one, enlist the help of family or friends, or contact a professional caregiving company.
For more information about disaster preparedness, contact Home Instead Senior Care at www.homeinstead.com

United States National Weather Serivice Announces 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season Storm Names.

National Weather Service Announces

2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season Names!!

 

From Ana to Wanda with Fred, Nicholas and Teresa in between!!