David W. Clemons
Director
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Emergency Management
50 Skyline Drive, Worcester, MA 01605
Phone: (508) 799-1840, Fax: (508) 799-8667
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The mission of the Emergency Management Division is to develop, coordinate and lead the City's Emergency Management Program, enabling effective preparation for, and efficient response to, emergencies and disasters in order to save lives, reduce human suffering and reduce property loss. To accomplish this mission, the Emergency Management Division:
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Develops plans and precedures to ensure the highest levels of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
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Maintains a comprehensive, risk-based, multi-hazard emergency management and training program.
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Coordinates Federal, State and Local resources for mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery operations.
As a result of the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 upon America and the lessons learned from the Worcester Cold Storage fire and the recent full-scale terrorist drill held by the City, Emergency Management has now taken on the roll of first responder to major incidents.
Depending on the nature of the event Emergency Management will respond and work in union with the Incident Commander. In a major event when the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) are activated, an Emergency Management liaison would be required to expedite the flow of information from the scene to the EOC/ECC staff. This would enhance the process of logistics making it less of a problem. The liaison will also have to coordinate all volunteer agencies at the scene. Its primary role is that of coordinating agency acting on behalf of the City Manager. Its major responsibilities are to coordinate the response of the various City departments as a result of a declared emergency. Emergency Management coordinates its emergency management responsibilities from the EOC/ECC located at the Army National Guard facility, 40 Skyline Drive. A secondary storage facility is maintained in the Park Department's storage facility.
Emergency Management benefits the City by acting as the link agency to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The main function is resource allocation. In the event that a disaster should occur and all local resources have been exhausted, Emergency Management is part of the State and Federal network through which manpower, supplies and monies for recovery can be obtained for the City. As the City's coordinating agency, the EOC/ECC is maintained to coordinate any large-scale emergency or disaster.
Emergency Management stays abreast of all current innovations in the field of Emergency Management and passes this information along to any applicable department and acts as the "watch dog" for all natural and man-made disasters that may impact the citizens of the City of Worcester. Emergency Management tri-annually plans with the Worcester Regional Airport to hold a full-scale drill involving Emergency Management, Police, Fire, Public Health, Public Works, Schools, EMS, FAA, several other state agencies, and area hospitals, which will be monitored by MEMA and FEMA. Emergency Management works in consort with Public Health (MMRS). The EOC/ECC has been designated as the regional EOC in the event of acts of biological or chemical terrorism. In addition, this facility will be utilized to coordinate the response to a pandemic that may occur in the city or region.
Emergency Management is working with the area nursing homes in upgrading their emergency plans and with local colleges and universities to integrate their disaster plans to ensure cooperation during a disaster. Emergency Management also works with all health care facilities and high-rise buildings to upgrade their current emergency plans. The Director is a member of several Disaster Response committees and is also the chair of the Municipal Emergency Task Force that deals with anti-terrorism activities and grant acquisitions.
