Mass Care trailers deployed from Fairfield’s Regional Fire School
(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 12/20)
By Mike Lauterborn
© 2010. All Rights Reserved.
12/20/10
Fairfield, CT – Like the wagon trains of old were circled up to ward off attackers, the new trailers were lined up and ready to play their part in helping southwestern Connecticut communities weather emergencies.
Late morning Monday Dec. 20, federal, state and town leaders and officials gathered in a meeting room at the Fairfield Regional Fire School at 205 One Rod Highway for the official hand-off of 14 Mass Care cargo trailers. The trailers were purchased with U.S. Department of Homeland Security funds provided through the CT Department of Emergency Management / Homeland Security (DEMHS) for the benefit of 14 southwestern Connecticut towns. Each unit costs approximately $9,000 and contains over 200 blankets, 110 standard cots, 12 supportive care cots and shelter management kits. The trailers will be used by the towns to help with sheltering operations in an emergency.
The purchase was coordinated through the DEMHS Region 1 Emergency Planning Team and paid for using Homeland Security Grant funds. The planning team includes representatives from Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Norwalk, Westport, Fairfield, Bridgeport, Stratford, New Canaan, Wilton, Weston, Easton, Monroe and Trumbull.
Each of the towns was to pick up its respective trailer throughout the afternoon. As the press conference convened, Bridgeport Fire Dept. Captain Ed McCann was already hitching his trailer up to the sport utility vehicle in which he had arrived. He was glad to receive the trailer, noting, “This really enhances our ability to respond to emergencies like hurricanes and evacuations.”
Fairfield’s Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Tracy said Fairfield was just serving as the host site and added that it was appropriate given the town’s involvement in the 1993 Nor’easter. “This area was half underwater and trailers like these would have been critical in our response. We had to connect to hydrants that were under salt water. What we’re looking at now is the ability to house locals that had to be evacuated.”
Fairfield Fire Chief Felner recalled the ’93 storm. “I went off duty at 8, was called back at 9 and had to evacuation at the beach. The trailers would have allowed us to be better prepared with extra equipment. Now that the surrounding towns will all have the same equipment, we can work together and help each other as needed.”
The Red Cross is a partner with the towns in providing sheltering services, and a small team from Bridgeport, led by Sr. Director for Emergency Services Stephen Wood, was on hand. Woods is also the co-chair of the DEMHS Region 1 Emergency Support Function Six Mass Care Committee. Its role is specific to mass feeding and sheltering in the event of an emergency.
“In Region 1, the Red Cross has six pre-existing trailers, so these new trailers will double our capacity and abilities in the region,” said Wood.
Michelle DeLuca, Deputy Emergency Management Director for Norwalk and co-chair of the Mass Care Planning Group was glad to see the trailers come to fruition. “This has been a work in progress for the last couple of years. The trailers are assets to help with sheltering and each town can respond and help each other. Hopefully we won’t need them!” she said.
Fairfield First Selectman Ken Flatto thanked state officials for the assist. “It’s so important to get the help and support and we’re thrilled that Congressman Himes could join us. He has been instrumental in helping first responders in this region.”
Himes, who represents the 4th District, was pleased to see government working together in this effort and said, “This is a capability we need, for hurricanes, sewer main breaks, coastal flooding and, heaven forbid, terrorist incidents. We’ll be able to keep our colleagues comfortable and safe in emergencies.”
DEMHS Commissioner Peter Boynton remarked on the work of his state agency and the towns collaborating to make this possible. “For every one state dollar, we bring in eight Federal dollars from among 20 Federal grants. In 2005, we only had three Federal grants. And now that we have towns working together as regions, the Feds are more apt to help fund initiatives. They were disinterested in helping individual towns.”
Boynton said his department seeks to establish resiliency in emergency situations and that there are three basic legs to that – the ability to withstand, recover and adapt. He said, “We don’t want to repeat a cycle without the ability to withstand it. With these trailers, we are better able to withstand and recover.”
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