How would Granby officials respond to a town-wide emergency? Imagine an extended drought where brush fires were popping up all over town and the fire department was stretched thin. What if homes, businesses and a school burned? What if water was in short supply and wells were running dry? What if Granby needed to open and run shelters for those displaced by the fires?
These are just some of the scenarios Granby officials who would be involved in emergency situations had to respond to as they participated on Sept. 9 in a remote program provided by the State of Connecticut. At the start of the Emergency Planning and Preparedness Initiative, Granby resident, John Oates, a seasoned fire professional well known across the state for his decades of capability in emergency situations, spoke to those gathered in the Town Hall Community Room about the importance of being prepared for the unexpected.
The emergency begins
The exercise starts with the drought/brush fire scenario. The Granby team’s response to this was to issue messages of “no burn” in addition to the Farmington Valley Health Department’s (FVHD) air quality alert.
The team’s response to residents complaining that individuals and businesses were watering lawns after dark was to educate by first issuing the message to not water lawns, followed by making sure the water company also issues a water ban, and to inquire if the Governor would authorize giving tickets to offenders. Other means of educating would include placing notices in student backpacks and using Everbridge, a mass communication platform used by the town.
That medical offices and hospitals were seeing a rapid increase in respiratory illnesses was met with the town hall, the schools and the senior center sending out e-blast notifications. Masks would be provided for outdoor workers and information would be provided for those who need oxygen tanks. School sports might need to be cancelled. As residents’ wells began to run dry, poly tanks that hold 250 gallons each could be obtained. In a continuing crisis, the Air National Guard can get water from the Connecticut River and air drop it over the town fires.
The situation escalates
The first inject (a secondary emergency, as explained by Town Manager Mike Walsh in the September About Town column) was then presented: several of the brush fires combined and a school, two dozen homes and several businesses were burned down. Town officials were now faced with solving not only putting out the fires when water was scarce, but also how to open shelters and keep the kids going to school.
This resulted in fire officials determining how they could get ahead of the fires and establish a fire line dependent on wind direction. Decisions on who needed to be evacuated and the set-up of Emergency Operations Centers followed. A media station with a point of contact individual is necessary to handle messaging. (The latter is a requirement for possible FEMA assistance.)
The team noted that although the Senior Center is a possible shelter, it is surrounded by woods, and in this particular emergency, that makes it a risky site. The middle school was considered a much better choice. Pets belonging to sheltered residents would be kept in the Ecology Center building behind the middle school. If the schools have remained open, the police chief, police captain and school superintendent will coordinate the buses that will take students to a reunification center for parent pick-up. A list of churches would be necessary if additional shelters are needed. A State of Emergency is issued by the boards of selectmen and finance if monies are needed for food and other materials.
New safety threats added
The next inject involved an electrical substation being threatened by fire. Eversource would be contacted to shut down the power grid. Of first consideration would be people needing electricity for oxygen tanks and other medical devices. The police would need to manage traffic since lights will not be working.
At this point, fire department personnel will likely be experiencing exhaustion; additional town help will be needed. If that cannot be sourced locally, a request will be made to the regional coordinator from the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security who can access National Guard and other State resources.
The final inject
At the conclusion of the responses to the emergencies, a final inject asked how the town would handle the destruction resulting from the fires. The Fire Marshal would assess each affected home to determine if it could be re-occupied; homeowners will deal with their own insurance company. Those with financial instability will work with Social Services. The emergency management director, fire marshal and building inspector will investigate the fire: Did it begin as one incident? Where did it start, etc.?
Takeaways
When the exercise was completed (and it was completed in unexpectedly short time, thanks to quick thinking by the participants), Walsh asked the members of the group for their thoughts—strengths, weaknesses, main takeaways. Most everyone said the strength was in the unity of the group of responders, their relationships with each other making working together and supporting each other comfortable.
Other individual comments included having enough supplies (such as cots) on hand; staying ahead of social media where uninformed comments can create chaos; creating a list of what community buildings have generators; increasing the number of CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) responders.
Police Chief Scott Sansom noted that Granby needs a written Standard Operating Procedure that is updated regularly. “Go Bags” are needed. He stressed holding a practice exercise on a yearly basis, as protocols can change.
Director of Community Services Sandy Yost emphasized that the team needs to work with residents to manage their expectations. They need to know what would be available, where they might be asked to go, what their insurance would cover and to be prepared. Also important to her: if a shelter needs to be opened, make sure there is enough staff available to assist everyone.
Director of Public Works Kirk Severance noted that improved radio communication is a priority, as we cannot always count on phones, which was a factor in this exercise.
Walsh asked for a list and cell numbers of all necessary personnel involved in emergency situations.
In conclusion, Granby residents can be assured that the town government has their best interests and safety in mind. FVHD Environmental Health Inspector Jeremy Shields noted that of the 10 towns in the FVHD, only Granby responded to the invitation to participate in this preparedness exercise. That is something of which to be proud.
The following participated in the exercise: Director of Finance Kimi Cheng, Granby Ambulance Director Kate Coupe, First Selectman Mark Fiorentino, Director of Community Development Abby Kenyon, Management Specialist Kathy Kane, Police Captain Kurt LaFlamme, Communication Technician Catherine Lanyon, Fire Marshal Brian Long, Police Chief Scott Sansom, Director of Public Works Kirk Severance, FVHD Environmental Health Inspector Jeremy Shields, Emergency Management Director CJ Staiger, Town Manager Mike Walsh, Lost Acres Fire Chief Tim Weber, Director of Community Services Sandra Yost and Public Works General Supervisor Stuart Young.