Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

The combination of high temperatures, low humidity, and warm breezes create a recipe for the increased risk of Brush and Forest Fires.  Wildfires often begin unnoticed, but spread quickly, igniting brush, trees and homes.  There are three different classes of wild fires. A ‘surface fire’ is the most common type, burning along the forest floor, moving slowly and killing or damaging trees.  A ‘ground fire’, usually started by lightning, burns on or below the forest floor. ‘Crown fires’ spread rapidly by the wind, moving quickly by jumping along the treetops. Because 80% of forest fires are started by negligent human behavior, such as smoking in forested areas or improperly extinguishing campfires most are preventable.

Via an open application process, MEMA anticipates providing FFY 2010-2011 CCP funds to active Massachusetts CERTs this Summer.  In order to be eligible to receive this funding, CERTs must – by 5/31/12 - register and update their information on FEMA’s CCP website here: http://www.citizencorps.gov/index.shtm. CERTs who do not register and update their information on this website by 5/31/12 will not be eligible to receive FFY 2010-2011 CCP funding. If you have any questions about CCP funding or need assistance accessing or updating FEMA’s CCP website, please contact your respective MEMA Local Coordinator or Project Management Office Coordinator Jeff Trask at 508.820.2053 or Jeffrey.Trask@state.ma.us.

National Weather Service in Taunton: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/

National Weather Service in Albany: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/aly/

Google Public Alert Map

The Department of Homeland Security’s National Cyber Security Division is providing cyber security tips as part of its cyber risk management program.  There are many simple things businesses, schools, and home users can do to keep their systems and private information secure.  Please visit the link below to learn more about online privacy, gaming tips for kids, internet safety for college students, mobile computing safety and social networking tips: 

http://staysafeonline.org/cybersecurity-awareness-month/ncsam-tip-sheets

In March 2012, MEMA Operations Manager Allen Phillips began a one-year term as the Chair of the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) Executive Task Force, and MEMA assumed the responsibility of serving as the EMAC National Coordinating State (NCS) for one year.

MEMA Director Kurt Schwartz recently announced that the Resource Management System (RMS) is operational and ready for use throughout the Commonwealth.  The RMS, which was developed with financial support from the state’s Homeland Security Councils and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, is a secure web-based system that may be used by all cities and towns, state agencies and other emergency management partners including public works, public health and emergency medical services, to facilitate emergency and non-emergency mutual aid across the Commonwealth.