Emergency Management
The most important step to disaster prevention is being prepared. NVDA has been working closely with our member towns to improve disaster preparedness.
NVDA helped all 55 member towns to complete Rapid Response Plans (RRP). Also known as the "pocket plan", the RRP is a portable, efficient guide for use in the early stages of disaster response. To view your town's RRP, look at your Local Emergency Planning Commission website, either LEPC #9 or LEPC #10.
As of 2006, Towns are required to use the new state template when updating the local Rapid Response Plan. The template is available in both Word format and PDF format. Updated RRPs should be submitted to NVDA and VT Emergency Management. For additional guidance contact Laurie Zilbauer.
With the help of FEMA and Homeland Security Grant funds, NVDA has completed a series of regional emergency plans for the Northeast Kingdom.
The Regional Emergency Operations Plan focuses on the four phases of emergency management: prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
The Regional All-Hazards Mitigation Plan provides a hazards risk assessment in order to determine which emergencies and natural disasters occur most often and cause the most damage. Based on the findings a mitigation strategy is developed to off-set the impacts of these events. Local annexes were also developed for each town in the region. For a copy of your town's Local All-Hazard Mitigation Plan visit the LEPC #9 or LEPC#10 website.
Additional Regional Emergency Planning Documents:
- Hazardous Materials Transportation Study
- Emergency Communications Plan
The Connecticut River Watershed Council issued a report in August 2001 for mitigating hazards in the Connecticut River Watershed:
"Protecting Economic and Environmental Resources In the Connecticut River Watershed: A Plan for Preventing Disasters and Justification for Further Planning and Mitigation."
This exemplary document could be referenced for your town, region, or watershed.
The Northeast Kingdom has monthly LEPC volunteer meetings for Orleans County, and for combined Caledonia-Essex Counties. The functions of the LEPC are Outreach, Hazards ID, Planning, Training and Exercise Plan (drill). The mission of the LEPC is to provide resources and guidance to the community through education, coordination and assistance in All Hazard mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery planning to assure public health and safety. There will be an Emergency Management Coordinator for each town.
LEPC 9 Towns: Caledonia & Essex counties: Barnet, Burke, Danville, Groton, Hardwick, Kirby, Lyndonville, Newark, Peacham, Sheffield, Stannard, Sutton, Walden, Waterford, Wheelock, Concord, Granby, Guildhall, Victory
LEPC 10 Towns: Orleans & Essex counties: Albany, Barton, Brownington, Craftsbury, Derby, Glover, Greensboro, Holland, Jay, Lowell, Newport City, Newport, Westfield, Westmore, Bloomfield, Brunswick, Canaan, Lemington, Maidstone, Norton, Unorganized Towns & Gores
VT Emergency Training
The Training Source for Vermont emergency responders. Designed to provide emergency service personnel with a single source Internet location for Fire, Law Enforcement, Local Government, EMS, Emergency Management, and Terrorism Training.
VT Emergency Management
A division of the VT Department of Public Service. Vermont became one of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) partners this year. EMAC allows for a quick response to disasters using unique resources and expertise possessed by member states. Twenty-eight states and one territory have adopted EMAC to enable mutual aid support during times of emergencies.
Vermont Drought Task Force
Vermont has gone through several years of drought, leaving groundwater and surface water reservoirs at very low levels. The Vermont Drought Task Force was formed to serve as a planning and information resource for municipalities, farmers and individuals throughout Vermont. The website has answers to drought questions, drinking water safety and water use tips.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Everything you might be interested in is at this site: assistance, education, maps, grants, publications, library, contact info, insurance issues, etc.
National Weather Service
To check for severe weather information.
