SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, 8 AM TO 4 PM, FRIDAY, 8 AM TO 1 PM EFFECTIVE JUNE 18TH THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3, 2010
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
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MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
400 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01702-5399
Tel: 508-820-2000 Fax: 508-820-2030
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Peter Judge, MEMA PIO
September 2, 2010 (508) 820-2002
MEMA OFFERS TIPS TO AS HURRICANE EARL APPROACHES
FRAMINGHAM, MA – As Hurricane Earl approaches, The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) recommends a number of steps people can take to help minimize potential damage.
“Early planning and preparation can be the key to your safety,” states MEMA Acting Director Kurt Schwartz. “It is important to use your time wisely and not wait until the last minute.”
Here are some examples of steps you should be taking:
Trim back trees and shrubbery around your home trimmed. Remove diseased or damaged tree limbs that could be blown down, causing damage, during a storm.
Clear clogged rain gutters. Hurricanes/tropical storms often bring torrential rain. Providing clear drainage will help prevent misdirected flooding.
Bring in outdoor items to bring inside such as lawn furniture, trash barrels, hanging plants, toys and awnings that can be broken or picked up by strong winds and used as a missile.
Make sure storage sheds, children’s playhouses or other outbuildings are securely anchored, either to a permanent foundation or with straps and ground anchors.
Elevate articles in your basement that could be damaged from even minor flooding.
Make temporary plywood covers to protect windows and sliding doors. Drill holes for screws or lag bolts in each cover and around each window. Note: Taping of windows does not prevent them from breaking.
Keep you vehicles fully fuelled.
Have a certain amount of cash available. If power is lost, ATMs may not be working.
- Make a record of your personal property. Keep an itemized list of your furniture, clothing and valuables to assist adjusters in case of a claim. Back it up with photographs or video.
- Protect your insurance policies and other important documents in a secure place like a safe deposit box or a watertight box. Many people back up important documents online.
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Learn where gas pilots and water mains are located and how to safely shut off all utilities.
Lock doors and windows to ensure that they are closed tight to help protect against strong winds and rain.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA and Hurricane Preparedness, go to www.mass.gov/mema. Follow MEMA updates on Facebook and Twitter.
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Region I Region II Region III / IV
P.O. Box 116 P.O. Box 54 1002 Suffield Street
365 East Street 12-I Rear Administration Road Agawam, MA 01001
Tewksbury, MA 01876 Bridgewater, MA 02324-0054 Tel: 413-821-1500 Fax: 413-821-1599
Tel: 978-328-1500 Fax: 978-851-8218 Tel: 508-697-3600 Fax: 508-697-8869
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
The Hazardous Product Facility is open April through November, one day per month.
Registration is required for those wanting to drop off hazardous waste.
9/19, 10/16, 11/13 (remaining dates as of Aug. 23, 2010)
Please call the Health Department, 617-993-2720, for more information and to register (required).
Latex paint is a water based, non-hazardous material and may be put in with household trash when completely dry. Call the Health Dept. with any questions, 617-993-2720
FOR UP TO THE MINUTE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION GO TO
BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC, Please call the Council on Aging, 617-993-2970
HEALTH SERVICES
The Health Department provides an array of services under the general heading of disease prevention and health promotion. This includes, but is not limited to, all of the inspectional services for all food services, swimming pools, day camps, tobacco sales, Smoke Free Workplace laws, subsurface sewerage systems, sanitary housing, dumpsters, mercury recovery program, rechargeable battery collection and Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention, body art, biotechnology and emergency preparedness, communicable disease follow up and West Nile Virus monitoring.
Seasonal flu clinics are held in the Fall, H1N1 clinics are held as vaccine becomes available, rabies shots for cats and dogs in the Spring, participation in the Minuteman Hazardous Products Facility collection site April through November, communicable disease follow-up, information and referral on questions such as lead paint, asbestos and available health services.
The Department consists of a full-time Director, Assistant Director, Animal Control Officer, and Administrative Assistant. Part time staff include the Veteran's Service Officer, Youth and Family Services Coordinator and Public Health Nurse. The Department is overseen by a three-member elected Board.
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