F. George Emanuel III
Willard J. Boulter, Jr.
Co-directors
Town Hall
100 Center Street
Pembroke, MA 02359
781-293-3844 (Selectmen's office)
781-293-5413 (leave message)
The Emergency Management Agency would like to thank all the volunteers for the quick response to the e-coli water emergency. Also, the Agency and volunteers appreciate the patience, understanding and good humor of Pembroke residents at the water distribution site.
 Volunteers helped distribute water to Pembroke residents, at the Pembroke High School.
What happened and who helped:
On August 10, 2008 Emergency Management was officially notified of a problem
that had been discovered with the Towns drinking water. A form of coliform
bacteria had been discovered and two additional tests were conducted
confirming the presents of this bacteria.
The DPW, Water Division notified the Commonwealth's DEP and informed them of
the test results. DEP issued a "boil water order," for the Town.
Emergency Management was notified and immediately set about to establish its
newly selected point of distribution for just such a situation.
On August 11th we requested volunteers and were fortunate to have 141 people. Volunteers responded from a number of organizations both within and from outside the
Town. Volunteers came from Girl Scout Troop 272, Boy Scout Troops 43 and
105, Pop Warner Football, Old Colony Football, Pembroke Youth Soccer,
National Honor Society, Pembroke High Key Club, as well as many Pembroke
citizens.
Outside organizations who immediately sent volunteers were; Mass Bay Chapter
of the American Red Cross, and the Old Colony Young Marines.
Volunteers worked to set up the point of distribution at the Pembroke High
School under the direction of Emergency Management. The site was open from
7:00 AM to 8:00 PM for eight consecutive days with our volunteers working
from 4 to 13 hours each day.
Emergency Management volunteers gave out approximately 32,000 gallons of
water to those in need.
Our operation was enhanced by local business who donated tents, water, food
and beverages, signs, pallets, coupons redeemable for ice, free
transportation of water and hand cleaner and wipes.
Local businesses we would like to thank are as follows: Star Market of
Marshfield, Stop & Shop of Pembroke, Tiny & Sons, Rockland Trust Co.,
Pembroke House of Pizza, Pembroke Center Liquors, CVS, Liddell Brothers,
Garelick Farms, and Tailor Rental.
Emergency Management was grateful to have the cooperation of the following
Town departments: Superintendent of Schools,Pembroke High School staff,
Pembroke DPW, all divisions, Pembroke Police and Fire departments, Council
on Aging, Pembroke Housing, Board of Selectmen, Library Director Deborah Wall,
and the Town Accounts and Treasurers Office and lastly the men and woman who
are the permanent volunteers of Pembroke Emergency Management, (PEMA).
Our efforts were greatly assisted by the staff of the Massachusetts
Emergency Management Agency, (MEMA), Area II in Bridgewater, Director Robert
Neadeau and his staff, and the state's logistics officer, Alan Phillips. We thanks the Plymouth County Sheriff's Office for their work with the Reverse 911
system.
The Town of Pembroke and it citizens are fortunate to have such cooperation
of so many during a time of such inconvenience. When everyone pulls together
the system works with little complication.
Bill Boulter and George Emanuel are very grateful and wish to thank all
those that gave their time and support.
The cost of this eight day operation for Emergency Management was
approximately $22,600.00
Emergency and Disaster Information
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