EM Main

Emergency Planning & Management Committee (EMPC)

(including: Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

Neal P. Aspesi, Chair (508) 485-3235 x437

National Homeland Security Knowledgebase

Background: Swine Flu (H1N1) is similar to the common human flu, however at this time there is no vaccination or direct medication treatment. As of April 28, 2009, only minor cases have been reported in the

United States

(Note: frequently check news reports for updates)

Forward: There is no need for public panic. Southborough and State/Federal Agencies have plans in place if needed. The BEST the public can do is become informed, practice prevention & follow instructions.

Prevention: Wash hands frequently, cover mouth when coughing, disinfect commonly touched surfaces.

- If advise to go to ER by a doctor – you MUST inform the ER of your condition before entering – to prevent transmission to others

- Remain home for 7 days after on-set or 24 hours after fever subsides – which ever is longer.

Swine influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type of influenza virus. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it’s possible for swine flu viruses to spread from one person to another. In the United States there were 12 cases of swine flu in people from 2006 through 2008. In March and April 2009 there have been many more cases of swine flu than usual in both Mexico and the U.S. and the infections have spread from one person to another.

How can I protect myself and others from swine flu?

You can protect yourself and others from swine flu the same way that you can protect yourself from seasonal flu. Avoid holding, hugging, kissing, or shaking hands with anyone who has a cold or the flu. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes. Clean things that are touched often like door handles, telephones, etc. If you get sick with a flu-like illness say home from work and school and avoid contact with others so the virus does not spread.

Southborough Community Emergency Response Team & Medical Reserve Corps (CERT/MRC) launched new website: (www.southboroughcertmrc.org)

EM-1 (Communications/Command Trailer - 2007), EM-2 (Light Tower/6kw Generator - 2001),

EM-3 (Military Heater Trailer), EM-4 (Light Tower/6kw Generator - 2008), EM-5 (CERT/MRC Trailer - 2008),

EM-6 (Water Buffalo - non-potable), EM-7 (Traffic Message Board -2008)

The Town of Southborough Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), a branch of SEMA, are the tasked with undertaking all activities and measures necessary to prepare for, respond to and mitigate various disasters of natural, technological and man-made causes. In addition, the LEPC is specifically responsible for maintaining information on and developing emergency response preplans for locally used/stored Hazardous Materials and those that travel through town via road and rail.

Many times the scope of emergency management is misunderstood. While SEMA prepares for response to and quick recovery from major disasters, the agency also focuses on identifying and implementing mitigation steps for smaller more common emergencies, such as the installation of generators at vital town buildings including communication and shelter sites to remain operational during power outages.

Natural disasters, toxic material releases and mass injury incidents are all possible threats to Southborough. When disasters strike the Town’s government responds through its Emergency Management Agency by activating the Emergency Operation Center (EOC). The EOC is a facility where all members of the Town’s Emergency Management Team, consisting of town government, employees and businesses, organize to coordinate appropriate actions during and following emergencies.

SEMA has taken measures to mitigate, prepare, respond, and recover from numerous types of emergency incidents and disasters through the development of the Town’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP). This plan also is used to coordinate with the Massachusetts and federal; Emergency Management Agencies during large scale incidents. The LEPC tracks Hazardous materials and maintains copies of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) of all federally identified Hazardous chemicals used and stored in town and maintains the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan section of the CEMP.

Preparing for an emergency requires organization, information, training, and exercises. During an emergency, Town forces are organized under the Incident Command System (ICS) in compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The ICS is a standard method of managing emergencies and has been adopted by many State and Federal Agencies. NIMS is a system mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) -5 that provides a consistent nationwide approach for Federal, State, local and tribal governments; the private sector; and non-governmental organizations to work effectively and efficiently together to prepare for, respond to, and recover from incidents, regardless of cause, size, or complexity. To provide for interoperability and compatibility among Federal, State, local and tribal capabilities, the NIMS includes a core set of concepts, principles and terminology.

Disasters demand a number of special services that must be ready to roll out in a moments notice and caring for citizens. The Town as several predestinated assets in and around town and several shelter facilities strategically placed throughout town.

The CEMP mentioned earlier, is an all hazards response plan that includes board adaptable plans for various disasters and/or emergencies that could occur in or around the Town of Southborough . Other topics include; specialized hazardous areas and populations, notification and communication under normal and adverse conditions, predestinated evacuation routes, etc. The plan also includes volumes of annexes containing further detailed maps and information and any supplement plans added. The CEMP is reviewed and certified periodically by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). To ensure the effective use of the plan and maintain proficient SEMA and LEPC conduct regular meetings and bi-annual training exercises.

Responding to a disaster draws upon every resource available to the Town. To coordinate all the agencies involved in a major incident, the Town establishes an Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The EOC is a predestinated room within one (primary) of two (back-up) buildings within different sections of town. The EOC is set-up as a Command Center encompassing multiple telephone lines, multiple internet access ports, multiple radios, situation boards, desks and a centralized boardroom for all hands meetings. The EOC’s main responsibilities include; deciding incident response priorities, logistically obtaining and allocation resources, maintaining contact with all involved parties (local, State, Federal), coordinating the actions in the field and maintaining detailed documentation. It is not the responsibility of the EOC to manage tactics implemented in the field that remains the responsibility of each incident’s assigned Incident Commander (IC). Information for Town residents will be channeled through a Public Information Officer (PIO) in order to provide accurate information and quell rumors. This will be disseminated through local cable channels and the town website.

Recovery is perhaps the most difficult phase of any disasters. Peoples’ lives have been altered, people have been injured or unfortunately killed and damaged homes and business must be repaired or rebuilt. The goal of the SEMA/LEPC is to take all steps necessary to return the Town of Southborough , both residential and commercial infrastructure, to an essential operational level and ultimately back to a normal operation level as soon as possible. The public should be aware, as such recent disasters a 9/11 in NYC and Hurricane Katrina have shown, that recovery can be a very long and painful process, but by setting realistic goals and maintaining a united positive focus the Town can and will return to normalcy. The EMD/LEPC works closely with other agencies, such as The American Red Cross and Salvation Army, to further assist families and the community. Many volunteers come forward in disasters. Volunteer’s staff shelters, help neighbors clear away debris, provide four-wheel drive vehicles to help critical workers such as medical personnel get through snow storms. The best of a community shines through the worst times.

During and immediately following a disaster the demand on emergency management resources can be staggering and severely hamper effective immediate response to all victims. Due to this fact SEMA strongly encourages each individual citizen to prepare and be self-sufficient for up to 72 hours (a national set standard). Citizens should become educated about the types and effects of various disasters, know how to react, know how to follow the Town’s emergency plans and construct an individual or family disaster kit. All this information can be found within this site.