Western Mass READY

09/01/2016

Happy September – it’s National Preparedness Month! The FRCOG’s Regional Preparedness Program invites you to take advantage of tips and resources that can increase your individual, family, and home resilience to disasters. Good places to start are http://ready.gov or http://do1thing.com. It’s ok to begin your planning slowly…as long as you begin! Check back here and on the FRCOG Twitter account for more tips throughout the month.

09/01/2016

As your kids head back to school, make sure they know how to reach you in case of an emergency.

Create an "Ice Age" themed In Case of Emergency (ICE) card from Save the Children for their backpack here: http://bit.ly/1Um38SK

07/27/2016

A meteorologist won't fit in your pocket but the FEMA app will. Stay safe with weather alerts when you're on-the-go: http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/images/115861

The FEMA app is your one-stop-shop with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters. Stay updated with weather-related alerts from the U.S. National Weather Service. Upload and share your disaster photos to help out emergency managers. Save a custom list of the items in your…

07/26/2016

Spontaneous Unaffiliated Volunteers Training Series
WRHSAC announces the availability of the Spontaneous and Unaffiliated Volunteer (SUV) Training Toolkit. This toolkit is designed to provide the resources necessary to effectively plan for and safely operate a volunteer management system based on the Incident Command System (ICS). This planning and training series was developed by Berkshire Regional Planning Commission under guidance and direction from WRHSAC and local response partners. To learn more: http://wrhsac.org/projects-and-initiatives/spontaneous-unaffiliated-volunteers-training-series/

10/14/2015

A new program from Sesame Workshop and the U.S. Fire Administration to help community educators teach fire safety to preschoolers. http://1.usa.gov/1DRsOyQ

08/27/2015

WRHSAC & Mass Dept of Public Health present: Children in Disasters Conference 2015 “Keeping Kids Safe” This groundbreaking conference is ...

05/15/2015

Remember the Touch a Truck Field Day in Greenfield is tomorrow!

05/07/2015

Looking for a fun, free, family event this weekend? Check out the Touch a Truck day at Greenfield Community College. Sat, May 16 10a - 2p.

04/02/2015

Please join the Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council for our Community Organizations Active in Disasters Summit on Thursday, April 30 at the UMass Center in Springfield. The Summit provides an excellent opportunity for emergency personnel to learn about the wealth of non-governmental, ready-to-serve organizations that exist in their communities, and to take stock of the vital resources these agencies supply. The event is free and lunch will be provided. For more information and to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-organizations-active-in-disasters-summit-2015-registration-16256321094?ref=enivtefor001&invite=NzcyNTk3Mi9yYWluZUBmcmNvZy5vcmcvMA%3D%3D&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=inviteformalv2&ref=enivtefor001&utm_term=attend

The Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council presents: The Community Organizations Active in Disasters Summit 2015 The Western Massachusetts Community Organizations Active in Disasters (COAD) Summit provides an…

01/13/2015

SAVE THE DATE!

The Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council has set the date for its Community Organizations Active in Disasters Summit 2015. The summit will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at the UMass Center at Tower Sqaure in Springfield, MA.

Workshops for both community organizations and emergency management are being arranged and will likely include: a look at online tools useful for recovery; a training on the emergency rest center guide prepared by WRHSAC; food safety in a shelter or emergency rest center environment; working with children in disasters; and looking at the role libraries can play before, during and following a disaster.

The summit will be free and lunch will be provided. Please save the date to join us! Watch your email and this website for registration information.

09/26/2014

It may be too early to think of winter but it is never to early to prepare. As part of the National PrepareAthon, FEMA has posted a new video to demonstrate winter storm preparedness. http://youtu.be/XVpGJ_Xl__w?list=UUVrYey5SZMid_VZk9D8tYmA

When The Sky Turns Gray - Animated Video for Winter Storm

06/26/2014

Check out this fun, free iPad app to help kids learn more about weather forecasting.

Kids growing up in Tornado Alley are used to bright, splotchy radar patterns moving across a television screen, and most know the difference between a tornado watch and warning. But do they understand how to read and predict the weather based on radar images and forecasts? Students at the University…

06/23/2014

Lightning Safety Awareness Week tips from Massachusetts Emergency Management and the National Weather Service

Beautiful day today with no thunderstorms. However, this week is Lightning Safety Awareness Week and rest assured we will have thunderstorms this summer, possibly as early as Tuesday afternoon.

05/27/2014

On Friday, May 30 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. EDT, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships and Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response will host a Google Hangout to discuss the role faith-based leaders can play in supporting national health security through community resilience. For more info: http://westernmassready.org/faithblog/google-hangout-on-the-role-of-faith-based-leaders-in-supporting-health-security-through-community-resilience/

On Friday, May 30 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. EDT, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Faith-based and ...

05/01/2014

Here's a free, family friendly event to learn more about Public Safety and your local first responders!

04/09/2014

UMass emegency medical groups , UMass Office of Emergency Management, Hampshire County medical reserve corps and others are hosting a full- scale overnight sheltering exercise to test the readiness of sheltering plans during a large-scale emergency such as a tornado or a severe winter storm.

03/12/2014

Please take extra care when driving throughout tonight and tomorrow morning.

03/12/2014

Please join us for the COAD Summit which will bring together members of Community Organizations Active in Disasters and professionals in the emergency management/response community. This will be a great opportunity to forge relationships and build networks before an emergency happens.

Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council & the Franklin Regional Council of Governments present: The Community Organizations Active in Disasters Summit ...