Captain J. Michael Hill
Sergeant Richard Wall
Co-directors
Town Hall
100 Center Street
Pembroke, MA 02359
781-293-3844 (Selectmen's office)
781-389-4543
Some safety tips from National Grid:
Generator Safety
If you are using a portable generator during storms and power outages, you should understand the risks. In order to avoid backfeed situations, make sure that your wiring system is disconnected from National Grid’s system before you operate the generator. Portable electric generators provide a good source of power during electrical outages, but can be deadly to the utility crews and homeowners if incorrectly installed or operated. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions in order to avoid electric shock and carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never operate the generator in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces, including homes, garages and basements. Generators produce high levels of carbon monoxide very quickly.
- Do not connect your generator directly to your household wiring, as this can backfeed along the power lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with them, including line workers making repairs.
- Make sure the generator is properly grounded.
- Do not overload the generator. A portable generator should be used only when necessary, and only to power essential equipment or appliances.
- Keep children away from portable generators at all times.
Wires Down
NEVER touch a downed wire. More than likely you will not be able to determine if it is a power line, a telephone line or a cable TV line; nor will you be able to determine if it is energized or not. Treat all downed wires as if they’re energized and stay clear! Don’t touch downed wires and don’t touch anything that is in contact with downed wires. Even if it is not sparking, it could still be energized.
Finally, if you see repair crews working on downed power lines, please drive carefully! Expect delays and exercise caution when driving near any of the hundreds of repair crews working to restore your power.
Remember, just because you see lights on at your neighbor’s house, doesn’t necessarily mean that power has been restored. They could either be running a generator, or they could be on an underground service that wasn’t affected by the storm.
In hurricane season, please read these releases from MEMA to stay safe.
“Every home and business should have a stocked basic emergency supply kit that could be used for any emergency, regardless of the time of year,” states MEMA Acting Director Kurt Schwartz. “Everyone should keep certain items around the house and workplace in the event you are isolated for three to five days without power”
Each kit will be unique to each family, but should include a portable radio, flashlight, extra batteries, a supply of non-perishable foods, along with bottled water, a first aid kit, extra prescription medication, and extra food and supplies for infants and pets.
“All families should develop a ‘Family Emergency Communication Plan’ to help ensure everyone is safe. You should contact your local authorities to learn about your community’s potential evacuation routes and the location of emergency shelters,” said Schwartz. “It is important to familiarize yourself with your Community’s Emergency Plans before an emergency situation occurs.”
2010 Hurricane Season (pdf)
Preparedness tips (pdf)
Hurricane names 2010 (pdf)
Property suggestions from 2009 (pdf)
Impact of Hurricanes on Inland Locations (pdf)
Pet Safety During Hurricanes (pdf). Plan ahead for your companion animals too.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency has more information to help keep you safe.
If you experience problems with you Verizon line, call 1-800-VERIZON (1-8--837-4988) or go online
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has issued information to help people prepare for another New England Winter Season. Attached is a list of Automobile Safety Tips and a list of items to be included in your Winter Emergency Car Kit. Complete Winter driving tips (pdf) Includes the vital tip to stay in your vehicle!
“Since approximately 70% of winter deaths related to snow and ice occur in automobiles, now is the proper time for individuals and families to take the necessary steps to ensure their safety on the roads during the upcoming Winter Season,” said MEMA Acting Director Kurt Schwartz. “Winter weather can present challenges that can be made easier with some basic planning.”
WINTER EMERGENCY CAR KIT
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Charged cell phone/automobile charger
- Basic first-aid kit
- Necessary medications
- Pocket knife
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Extra clothes (include rain gear, boots, mittens, socks)
- High-calorie, non-perishable foods (dried fruits, nuts, canned food)
- Manual can opener
- Container of water
- Windshield scraper & brush
- Fire extinguisher
- Shovel
- Sand/road salt/cat litter for generating traction
- Tire chains or traction mats
- Basic tool kit (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)
- Tow rope
- Battery jumper cables
- Road flares/reflectors
- Brightly colored cloth to utilize as a flag
- Road maps
PREPARING FOR WINTER WEATHER
MEMA Offers Tips to Help Keep Massachusetts Families Safe – A winter storm in New England can range from a moderate snowfall over a few hours to a chilling Nor’easter, bringing blizzard conditions with blinding wind-driven snow that lasts several days. People can become stranded in their automobiles or trapped at home, without utilities or other services. The aftermath of a winter storm can have an impact on a community or the entire region for days, weeks or even months. Storm effects, in New England, include large snow accumulation, extremely cold temperatures, heavy, wet snow or icing on trees and power lines, roof collapses, coastal flooding and beach erosion.
Winter storms are also deceptive killers because most deaths are indirectly related to the actual storm. The major causes are automobile or other transportation accidents, exhaustion and heart attacks caused by overexertion, ‘freezing to death’ and asphyxiation from improper heating sources. House fires occur more frequently in the winter due to lack of proper safety precautions when using alternate heating sources, like unattended fires and space heaters.
“As with most potential disasters, preparedness, monitoring the Media and common sense can minimize the danger to you and your family,” states Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Acting Director Kurt Schwartz. “That is why MEMA is sharing important winter safety information through the Media and the MEMA website over the next few weeks.”
Areas to be covered in this series will include the proper steps to take to prepare your family and home for the winter season, automobile and driving safety, ice safety, protecting your pets, responding to power outages, extreme temperatures, roof collapse and recovering from a winter storm.
Those who already have an All-Hazard Emergency Supply Kit, as MEMA continues to recommend, are ahead of the curve. However, it is important to check your kit, to ensure it is properly stocked with enough supplies to survive on your own for at least three to five days. Now is also the time to review for Family Communication Plan.
WINTER EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT
· Flashlight and extra batteries
· Portable radio or NOAA Weather Radio with extra batteries · Charged cell phone · First-aid kit · Essential prescription medicines · Non-perishable Food · Manual can opener · Water (one gallon per person/per day) · Baby items · Extra blankets and sleeping bags · Fire extinguisher FAMILY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS PLAN Develop a ‘Family Emergency Communication Plan’ in case family members are separated from one another during a winter storm (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), and have a plan for getting back together.
· Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the ‘family contact’. After a disaster, it is often easier to call long distance than across town. Also, calling outside the area will probably be easier than calling into a disaster area.
· Make sure everyone knows the name, address and telephone number of the contact person.
· Sometimes an emergency could impact your neighborhood or small section of town. Decide on an alternate meeting area for family members.
BE INFORMED
Become aware of your community’s Emergency Plans, available through your local Emergency Management Director.
· Be familiar with the Emergency Plans at your children’s school and your workplace.
· Be aware of the location of your community’s emergency notification systems, potential emergency shelters and possible evacuation routes.
These steps can help reassure everyone’s safety and minimize the stress associated with emergencies.
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 Winter Preparedness, go to the MEMA website at www.mass.gov/mema. Follow MEMA updates on Facebook and Twitter.
Extreme Cold Weather
Continue to be aware of extreme weather conditions by monitoring Media reports.
Make sure you always have a well-stocked Winter Home Emergency Supply Kit that includes flashlights, portable radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable food and a manual can opener.
Minimize outside activities, particularly the elderly and very young. Also, consider your pets.
- Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, rather than a single layer of heavy clothing. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens and sturdy waterproof boots, protecting your extremities. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs..
- Excessive exposure can lead to frostbite, which is damaging to body tissue that is frozen. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, seek medical help immediately.
- Hypothermia can occur in extreme cases. The warning signs are uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If the person’s temperature drops below 95 degrees, seek immediate medical care.
- Ensure you have sufficient heating fuel, as well as emergency heating equipment in case you lose electricity.
Read the complete MEMA memo!
Ice safety!
New ice is usually stronger than old ice. As ice ages, the bond between the crystals decays, making it weaker, even if melting has not occurred.
Ice formed over flowing water (rivers or lakes containing a large number of springs) is generally 15% weaker.
Never go onto the ice alone. A friend may be able to rescue you or go for help if you fall through the ice.
Always keep your pets on a leash. If a pet falls through the ice do not attempt to rescue your pet, call 9-1-1 or go for help.
Read the complete MEMA memo on ice safety!
Read these MEMA release on Mold relief and how to safely return to a flood damaged home.
Images of Hobomock from the SECOND March 2010 storm! If you need help or flood information, contact the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency or call Pembroke's at the number above.
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New flood images from the FIRST storm of March 2010.
 Volunteers helped distribute water to Pembroke residents, at the Pembroke High School during the e-coli warning in 2008.
Emergency Management volunteers gave out approximately 32,000 gallons of
water to those in need..
The cost of this eight day operation for Emergency Management was
approximately $22,600.00
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