Barnstable County Report

Cape Was Ready For Irene & The Next One …But Don’t Forget Your Own Plan As Well

By George Heufelder, MS, RS, Director,
Barnstable County Department of Health & Environment

Irene came calling, and the county was ready.

While many of us were hunkering down awaiting the landfall of Hurricane Irene, a dedicated partnership of public sector and private volunteer personnel were preparing for the worst.

Hurricane preparedness efforts in Barnstable County are facilitated by the Barnstable County Regional Emergency Preparedness Committee (BCREPC). Formed in 2002 by the County Commissioners and initially tasked with helping towns locate, secure and make communities aware of hazardous materials used in their jurisdictions under the Community Right-to-Know Act, the BCREPC has evolved into a collaborative of organizations and departments that prepare for all man-made and natural hazards.

In the days before Irene even made landfall in the United States, conference calls with weather forecasters, disaster response teams, fire and police services, volunteer coordinators and others took place to execute preliminary readiness plans such as checking availability of volunteers, verifying emergency supply agreements, and providing initial notices to managers of facilities and assets that might be used.

In the more immediate prelude to Irene, teams of volunteers were preparing to support six regional emergency shelters.

Learning from other national disasters, the teams of volunteers were positioned before the storm and supplies for the shelters were pre-positioned.

The American Red Cross, the Cape Cod Medical Reserve Corps, local Citizen Emergency Response Teams and other volunteer units all played a vital role in staffing these regional shelters. For those residents who did not want to abandon the family pet, two of the shelters were supported by the Cape’s Disaster Animal Response Team in coordination with animal control officers of Harwich, Brewster, and Chatham. Their efforts sponsored cages, food and some isolation during their stay.

It earlier had been determined that this regional sheltering strategy was the most efficient way to use limited resources. Included were requirements of the ability to accommodate individuals who needed additional assistance due to other life challenges. Other partners in this effort include public works departments, the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, and utility companies including NStar, National Grid, Verizon and Comcast.

All of these and storm response efforts were coordinated by a unique feature of the response team called the Multi-Agency Coordination Center or MACC. During the storm MACC maintained communication with all of the shelters and other response agencies across town jurisdictions, including the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

The communication system was hosted in a location near the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office, but was backed up by the Cape Cod Amateur Radio Emergency Services teams.

Nothing can substitute for personal emergency plans we should all have to make it through the first 48 hours of these natural disasters. But sometimes our personal preparedness plans get overwhelmed, especially when homes are destroyed or threatened. That’s when community resources must be available.
So, the next time you hear those winds howl or that winter ice storm sets in, take some comfort in the fact that there is a response team that has anticipated the event and is most likely pre-positioned to help.

September was Emergency Preparedness Month. Even if you missed that, it is not too late to get your house in order. Everyone should have a personal emergency plan. Simply follow the mantra “Get a kit, Make a plan, Be informed.”

 Want to learn more, or get involved in community assistance yourself? Check out www.BCREPC.org today.