Emergency Preparedness

Homeland Security Planning

Project Overview

FRCOG staff work in partnership with the other two regional planning agencies in Western Massachusetts to serve as consultants to the Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council in the development of tools to strengthen the region's response to large-scale natural and man-made disasters. These tools include a searchable resource directory with information on the expertise and equipment of public and private agencies and organizations; a regional mutual aid agreement to be used among western Massachusetts municipalities; information on priority critical infrastructure; and evacuation plans for special needs populations.

 

Current Activities

FRCOG staff has been updating a geo-database of critical infrastructure and chemical hazard information so that first responders and local, state, and federal government agencies will have access to accurate information regarding the locations and equipment of places such as important buildings, agencies and shelters.  FRCOG staff has been working collaboratively with staff from the Berkshire and Pioneer Valley regional planning agencies to develop a Regional Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA).  Activities include the mapping of technological, natural, and manmade hazards throughout all of the four counties of Western Massachusetts which can potentially impact people, the economy, the environment, and property when disaster hits.

The HVA will be used as a foundation block of effective emergency management and identifies the hazards that organizations must mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from in order to minimize the effects of disasters and emergencies.  Working collaboratively with the other two Western Massachusetts RPAs, FRCOG has entered into an agreement with the UMASS Transportation Engineering program to create modeling to demonstrate population flow and traffic during times of emergencies.  Once the model development is complete, four county-specific emergency scenarios and one regional scenario will be run.

FRCOG staff has also been working with local municipalities and businesses to assist in their development of Continuity of Operations / Continuity of Government (COOP/COG) Plans as a crucial step of emergency preparedness.

Future Plans

In 2008/2009, FRCOG staff will be working to: 1) continue support to municipalities and businesses in COOP/COG development; 2) complete traffic modeling and run county scenarios; 3) develop a Regional Population Demographic Assessment; 4) develop public education plans and notification strategies related to mass care and evacuation; 5) coordinate local evacuation planning with Emergency Management Directors; 6) and assist in determining sheltering supply and equipment needs for the region.

Contact: Melissa Adams or Susan Brown

This page was last updated on 10/2/08 .

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