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Emergency Management

Emergency Management

General Information

Contacts: James Desso - Emergency Management Director
Joseph Comarella - Deputy Emergency Management Director
Frank Falcone - Deputy Emergency Management Director
Location: Stafford Resident Troopers Office
2 Main Street
Phone: (860) 247-8920 (EMD Director)
Fax: (860) 684-4437
Emails: emddesso@staffordct.org (James Desso)
Hours:

Emergency Management Happenings and Information

Useful Links

Useful Links:

AMERICAN RED CROSS                                           WWW.REDCROSS.ORG
DISASTER PLANNING                                              WWW.PLANFORLIFE.ORG
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
AGENCY (FEMA)                                                      WWW.FEMA.GOV
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY             www.ready.gov
CT DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT AND HOMELAND
SECURITY (DEMHS)                                                 WWW.CT.GOV/DEMHS
CT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION (DEP)                                                 WWW.CT.GOV/DEP

Emergency Alert Notification Sign Up Information
There are two systems to receive emergency notifications - one for the State of Connecticut and one for the Town of Stafford.  To receive alerts you will need to sign up for both systems.

For Connecticut Alerts Visit:
The CT Alert Website

For Stafford Alerts Visit:
The Stafford Citizen Alert Website
What Belongs to CL&P and What Belongs To You?
see the attached for more information:

Attachments:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Stafford Have Emergency Plans?

Yes it does.  
State law requires each municipality to have Local Emergency Operations Plans and update them bi-annually.  Stafford has plans and updates them yearly.  These plans outline the responsibilities of each of the Town's agencies in the event of a disaster or emergency.

In the event of an emergency or disaster, the Town can activate its Emergency Operations Center (EOC).  This center provides a command post for all agencies to coordinate response efforts.

In addition, should the need arise; the Town will open its shelter.  Currently, the main shelter is the Stafford Middle School and it is supported by the American Red Cross.  The decision to open the shelter or its eventual location is based on the details of the emergency (i.e. some emergencies might not require a shelter or the Middle School might not fit the needs of the emergency).  If it becomes necessary, citizens will be notified of the need to evacuate by radio, television, and/or door-to-door canvassing.

To keep apprised of current events and to receive official announcements tune to the following:

WTNH 8 (ABC)
WVIT 30 (NBC)
WFSB 3 (CBS)

OR

WTIC 1080 AM
WTIC 96.5 FM

How Should I Prepare For an Emergency or Disaster?

It is important for all homes to have basic emergency/disaster supplies on hand as well as an emergency plan that all household members are familiar with.

When formulating your family's emergency plan consider the following:

People:

  • Consider the age and/or special needs of each individual such as diapers for infants or restricted access for wheelchair bound individuals
  • Consider any special skills individuals have such as CPR or first aid

Supplies:

  • Food and water
  • Medications
  • First aid supplies
  • Extra batteries
  • Battery or crank powered radio
  • Cups, utensils, non-electric can opener
  • Flashlights and lanterns
  • Enough supplies to last at least three days

Pets:

  • Public shelters don't allow pets (other than animals for those with disabilities)
  • Consider friends or relatives in a different community who can take your pets

Cash:

  • Consider having cash on hand
  • Banks and ATM may not be open

Documents:

  • Medical records
  • Other important legal documents

Meeting place:

  • Plans should establish a meeting place for everyone to go should an emergency arise
  • If the emergency involves your home, pick a place far enough away from the home to escape any danger.  A neighbor's house or the mailbox are good examples.  Another meeting place should be established for emergencies that prevent a return to your home.

For a more complete list of emergency supplies check the following website: www.PrepareForLife.org

What Should I Do in a Flood?
  • Be aware of water sources (streams, rivers, dams etc.) near your residence.  When heavy rains fall and local flooding is a possibility, checking these sources for flooding could help you avoid problems through early detection.
  • If it appears that floodwaters are encroaching on your residence, leave and get to safe ground.  Notify emergency services by dialing 911 to advise them of the flooding area.
  • If the water is limited to water in the basement, call your local fire department to ask for assistance in pumping the water clear.
  • If you have water in the basement and it appears that the level will reach electrical boxes, notify the fire department immediately.
  • Never attempt to cross flooded areas, either on foot or in a vehicle.  It only takes 6" of water to sweep away a person on foot.
  • Do not drink or touch flood waters.  Wash hands before eating or touching food.  Disinfect flooded areas with a bleach/water mix.
  • Listen to radio/television for pertinent announcements from town officials.

Should you need to be evacuated, the Town will notify you.  Arrangements will be made to provide a shelter for any evacuees if needed.

What Should I Do in a Heavy Rain/Hurricane/Tornado?
  • Keep tuned to radio/television for official announcements.
  • Stay indoors, away from windows.
  • Remember, power outages affect water pumps: keep extra water on hand for cooking and flushing toilets.
  • Remember tips for dealing with possible floodwaters.
  • Never approach downed power lines.
  • Never touch or approach trees that may be in contact with power lines.
  • Notify CL&P of outages at 1-800-286-2000
  • Notify town DPW of trees across town roads 684-5630
  • Do not seek shelter under trees during lightning storms.  Get indoors.
  • During a tornado, if getting indoors is impossible, find the lowest possible point such as a ditch, and stay low.  Beware of flying debris.

Should you need to be evacuated, the Town will notify you.  Arrangements will be made to provide a shelter for any evacuees if needed.

What Should I Do in a Blizzard?
  • Take normal precautions associated with other natural disasters.
  • Do not use kerosene heaters indoors without proper ventilation.  Improper use could result in carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Listen to radio/television for official announcements.
  • Notify CL&P of outages at 1-800-286-2000
  • Take extra care when shoveling heavy snow.  Do not over exert yourself, heart attacks and back problems could result.
  • Never stick hands into blades or chute area of a snow blower, even if machine is off.  Built up torque in the blades could be released causing blades to spin and injury your hands.  Only remove blockages from a machine that is turned off utilizing a stick or similar object keeping hands far from blades.
  • Be aware of large hanging icicles or large mound of snow on roofs.  They both could cause injury if disturbed.
  • Be aware of snow build up on flat roofs; its weight could damage the roof.

Should you need to be evacuated, the town will notify you.  Arrangements will be made to provide a shelter for any evacuees if needed.

What Should I Do in a Hazardous Materials/Industrial Accident?
  • Listen to radio/television for official announcements.
  • Do not approach scene if hazardous materials are present.
  • Evacuate when requested.
  • Shelter-in-place if ordered.  Stay indoors, and keep windows and doors shut.  Limit outside airflow into your residence.
  • Try to stay upwind and uphill from any hazardous materials.
  • Never touch any unfamiliar substance.

Should you need to be evacuated, the Town will notify you.  Arrangements will be made to provide a shelter for any evacuees if needed.

What Should I Do in a Terrorism Event?
  • Listen to radio/television for official announcements.
  • Never approach the scene if hazardous materials are present.
  • Never approach unattended or unusual packages or materials.
  • Evacuate if ordered. 
  • Shelter-in-place if ordered.  Stay indoors and shut windows and doors.  Limit outside airflow into your residence.
  • Make note of unfamiliar or unusual individuals at or near the scene and advise police as soon as possible.

Should you need to be evacuated, the Town will notify you.  Arrangements will be made to provide a shelter for any evacuees if needed.

In the event of a bio-terrorism event (e.g. smallpox outbreak), the Town will activate its bio-terrorism plan.  This plan has been developed in cooperation with the North Central Health District.  NCHD is the health department agency responsible for overseeing Stafford.

The bio-terrorism plan provides a means of transporting all residents of Stafford to the Mass Vaccination Center established by the NCHD.  Residents will be picked up at their homes and transported to the Stafford Staging Area, then transported to the Center.  Vaccinations will be conducted and residents will be returned to Stafford.

Residents will be made aware of this plan's activation and will be advised on what actions to take via official announcements from the town.