Are Your Prepared?

Over the years, weather patterns have created conditions that have caused substantial loss of life and resulted in property damage in the billions of dollars. All of us in Emergency Management have realized that how much the federal government spends on preparedness; money is not always the key. As found during recent hurricanes, managing the incident with properly trained personnel is the most important part of planning and response. This article will deal briefly with important information that we feel all citizens need to be familiar with. Hurricane warnings are normally given well in advance. During this warning, residents must make evaluations and preparations with regards to their locations and extent of damage that may occur locally. The preparedness will include the items that you and your families may already have. The list is item specific, however everyone may have individual needs that should be thought about.

The following is a list of basic items you should have prepared for emergencies:

• Flashlights 
  • Candles are not recommended
• Spare batteries
• Battery operated radio
• Bottled water
• First Aid kit
• Cell phone
• Canned food or food in sealed containers 
• Blankets and pillows 
• Extra clothing
• Personnel hygiene items
• Medications 
• Pet food

The Town of Plainville has a Red Cross certified Regional Emergency Shelter. The Plainville Senior High School is capable of sheltering 1000 people. Shelters must meet certain minimum requirements. One item is a generator. Temporary shelters, if needed are the Middle School of Plainville, 150 Northwest Drive, and the Senior Center, 200 East Street. 

The following radio stations in the area will do notification of shelter openings during an evacuation event:

• WTIC AM - Frequency 1080 
• WPOP AM - Frequency 1410 
• WTIC FM - Frequency 96.5
• TXCT AM - Frequency 990.00
  • Spanish Radio

You can call the Police Department for shelter information. If the storm is that significant, emergency staff will be manning an Emergency Operations Center at the Police Department. All information for shelter and evacuation will come from there. You can also listen to your radio at the stations listed above for timely information. The advice that all citizens can take is to be prepared. Residents in low areas should be very attentive to weather forecasts and possible flooding.  

All residents are urged to stay home during a storm unless you are going to be in danger, need assistance or in flood prone areas. This does a few things. Its keeps the streets free for emergency vehicle travel and it safeguards residents from falling branches, electrical wires down and other storm related problems. The most comfortable place to be is your own home if there are no hazards. Plainville is not immune to natural disasters, but the history shows that we typically do not sustain the same amount of damage that is done in many Connecticut communities.

More information regarding preparedness and natural disasters is available at the following websites: 

• www.ctrecovers.ct.gov
• www.redcross.org
• www.fema.gov
• www.weather.gov
• www.ctweather.com
• www.getreadycapitolregion.org 

Hours: 

Location: 

Fire Marshal's Office
Plainville Municipal Center
One Central Square
Plainville, CT 06062