Sagadahoc County Emergency Management Agency

🧩Let's put the pieces together, together!🧩

Button down the hatches and review your power outage plans.
Visit https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwaatmget.php?x=MEC023&y=1 regularly to obtain the most current alerts for your area.

Oh my gerd, have those medicines ready in case of an emergency!

About half of all Americans take a prescription medicine every day. An emergency can make it difficult for them to refill their prescription or to find an open pharmacy. Organize and protect your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins to prepare for an emergency.
Tips for Medications
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how you can create an emergency supply of medicines.
• Keep a list of your prescription medicines. Include information about your diagnosis, dosage, frequency, medical supply needs and allergies.
• Store extra nonprescription drugs, like pain and fever relievers, antihistamines and antidiarrheal medicines.
• Have a cooler and chemical ice packs available to chill medicines that need to be refrigerated.
Source: https://www.ready.gov/disability

The SCEMA Monthly Memo for December is about financial preparedness planning! Check it out!
https://www.sagadahoccountyme.gov/departments_and_services/emergency_management_agency_and_board_of_health/december__financial_emergency.php

Maine recently passed a new law about clearing snow off of your vehicle. You can be pulled over and fined for a violation of this law. Make sure to remember to clean off the roof of your car.

Title 29-A: MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
§2093. Snow and ice; duty of care
The operator of a vehicle with a registered weight under 10,000 pounds shall take reasonable measures to prevent snow or ice on the vehicle from falling off the vehicle while it is being operated on a public way. [PL 2023, c. 107, §1 (NEW).]

Some More Tips Before You Start Out
● Clean your car’s external camera lenses and side mirrors
● Remove dirt, ice and snow from sensors to allow the assistive-driving features, like automatic emergency braking, to work
● In frigid weather, you may want to warm up the car before you drive
● To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, never leave a vehicle running in your garage – even with the garage door up
● If the forecast looks iffy, wait out the storm; if you must travel, share your travel plans and route with someone before you leave

Visit the National Safety Council for more tips on winter driving: https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/winter-safety/driving

Make sure the open fire you roast your chestnuts on isn't an open fire caused by your Christmas Tree!

Resourcefulness is one of the keys to being able to provide safety!

Each year, Anheuser-Busch, in partnership with National Volunteer Fire Council, pauses beer production to can clean drinking water for firefighters. We are thankful to be one of the receiving fire departments this year. This water will ensure our members are staying safe & hydrated as they respond to long incidents or disasters such as wildfires. And thank you to Valley Beverage for taking the time to deliver the water to our fire station.

Thank you from all of us at Richmond Fire Department

Spotify pattern...preparedness content...made this EMA gal laugh!

Update: The Small Business Administration is hosting a webinar on this topic this Friday, December 8th from 12:00PM-1:00PM. To register, visit the link below:
https://business.lametrochamber.com/events/details/learn-more-about-the-sba-eidl-program-22014?calendarMonth=2023-12-01
_______________________________________________________________________
On 11/6/2023, the Small Business Administration announced a Disaster Declaration for Economic Injury incurred from the October 25, 2023 incident in Lewiston. This declaration is for counties contingent to Androscoggin County and to Androscoggin County.
This opportunity is for a 𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐎𝐀𝐍 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐃. Applying 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈.
For more information, please click on the link below:

Learn More About the SBA EIDL Program Join the SBA team here in Lewiston for a comprehensive overview of the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) available to Maine Businesses affected by the October 25th tragedy. This interactive webinar will provide an overview, address frequently asked questions, and provide ample time for Q+A with....

❄️ 🏫 Georgetown Central School has a 2 hour delay today.

There is a 2-hour delay this morning - Monday, December 4th - due to weather and road conditions. School will begin at 10:25 AM.

Richmond schools are closed.

Ready.gov wants you to "Know Your Risk for Winter Storms"
Pay attention to weather reports and warnings of freezing weather and winter storms.
Listen for emergency information and alerts.
Sign up for your community’s warning system.
The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
Stay safe!

Don't have your portable become a reportable fire!

Be smart and inspect your heat stoves before you start!

Stay safe when you decorate!

Holiday decorating tips from ready.gov
🕯️Keep candles away from flammable materials. Nearly 60% of home candle fires occurs when some form of combustible material was left or came too close to the candle
🔴Hanging holiday lights can be a fun family activity. Stay safe by avoiding potential fire dangers.
🟢Remember during the holidays, don't overload extension cords.
🔴Turn off holiday lights at night or when you leave the house.
🟢If you have a Christmas Tree, keep it watered; never let your Christmas tree dry out because a dry tree is more flammable.
🔴Unplug indoor holiday lights before you go to bed.
🟢Keep your tree at least 3 feet away from heat.

Cooking Safety Tips for Thanksgiving!
• Unattended cooking is the leading factor in home cooking fires.
• Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires.
• Move things that can burn away from the stove. This includes dishtowels, bags,
boxes, paper and curtains.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so no one can bump them or pull
them over.
• In case of an oven fire, turn off the oven and keep the door closed until it’s cool. • Keep an eye on what you fry! Most cooking fires start when frying food.
• Be a safe cook this Thanksgiving: wear short sleeves or roll them up so they
don’t catch on fire.
• Watch what you heat! Most house fires start in the kitchen.
• Cooking is the leading cause of all winter home fires.
Visit ready.gov for more tips!

Holiday Travel - visit ready.gov for tips on how to prepare to travel with children, pets, a safe vehicle and more!
Here are some highlights from ready.gov!
•Talk with family about who to call, where to meet and what to pack for an emergency this holiday season.
•If you’re traveling by plane for the holidays, review 's security screening tips: www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips
•If you’re packing for a flight, consider a small emergency kit: flashlight, batteries, & spare USB power bank.
•Prepare your car for winter weather before hitting the road for the holidays www.ready.gov/car
•On the road this winter? Fill out an emergency communications plan card and let your in case of emergency contact know your plan: https://www.ready.gov/collection/family-communication-plan
•Are you taking your pets with you for the holidays? Add a few emergency items for your pets, like water and food www.ready.gov/pets
•For safe travels with family over the holidays, think about your kids' needs when you pack.
•Pet travel tip: Pack something familiar like a toy or blanket to help alleviate stress.
•Traveling by car? Remember to pack an emergency supply kit

Visit https://www.maine.gov/mema/maine-prepares/home-preparedness/preventing-thawing-frozen-pipes

Frozen water pipes aren't life threatening, however frozen or broken water pipes do cause damage to homes each winter. If pipes in the walls aren't properly insulated, they can freeze and rupture. (An 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can release up to 250 gallons of water a day, soaking floors, rugs, and furniture.) To prevent the mess and aggravation frozen pipes cause, protect your home or apartment by following the simple steps below.
𝓑𝓮𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓒𝓸𝓵𝓭 𝓦𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻
• Locate and insulate pipes most susceptible to freezing, typically those near
outer walls, in crawl spaces or in the attic. Use insulation made especially for this
purpose.
• Wrap pipes with heat tape (UL-approved).
• Seal any leaks that allow cold air inside where pipes are located.
• Disconnect garden hoses and shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.
𝓦𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓘𝓽'𝓼 𝓒𝓸𝓵𝓭
• Let hot and cold water trickle at night from a faucet on an outside wall.
• Open cabinet doors to allow more heat to get to uninsulated pipes under a sink
or appliance near an outer wall.
• Make sure heat is left on and set no lower than 55 degrees F.
• If you plan to be away: (1) Have someone check your house daily to make sure
the heat is still on to prevent freezing, or (2) drain and shut off the water system
(except indoor sprinkler systems).
𝓘𝓯 𝓟𝓲𝓹𝓮𝓼 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓮𝔃𝓮
• Make sure you and your family know how to shut off the water, in case pipes
burst. Stopping the flow of water can minimize the damage to your home. Call a
plumber, and contact your insurance agent. Never try to thaw a pipe with an
open flame or torch.
• Always be careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing
water.
Source: ready.gov

Be sure to check out the video linked below for more information!
https://youtu.be/a-lkR7qMPFA?si=FglQnqbx1AIwB17d

🔥Inspect and clean woodstove pipes and chimneys annually and check monthly for damage or obstructions.

🔥Use a fireplace screen heavy enough to stop rolling logs and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace to catch flying sparks.

🔥Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed.

Visit https://www.ready.gov/home-fires for more information!

𝑰𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒎𝒐𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒎 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈?
A smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all. A smoke alarm only works when it is properly installed and regularly tested. Take care of your smoke alarms according to the manufacturer's instructions. Below are some general maintenance tips.

𝑺𝒎𝒐𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒎 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒂 𝟗-𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒕 𝒃𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒚
Test the alarm monthly.
Replace the batteries at least once every year.
Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years.

𝑺𝒎𝒐𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒎 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒂 𝟏𝟎-𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒖𝒎-𝒊𝒐𝒏 (𝒐𝒓 “𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈-𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆”) 𝒃𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒚
Test the alarm monthly.
Replace the entire smoke alarm according to the manufacturer's instructions.

𝙎𝙢𝙤𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙬𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚'𝙨 𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢
Test the alarm monthly.
Replace the backup battery at least once every year.
Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years.

Visit https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prepare-for-fire/smoke-alarms/ for more information

Phippsburg Fire and EMS is saddened to share the recent passing of firefighter and friend #1926 Warren ‘Bub’ Doughty.
Bub served with our department for 25 years, always willing to help and a friend to so many. He will be deeply missed by our entire community.
Services will be Saturday November 18th at 1pm at Phippsburg Elementary School, followed by a gathering at the Phippsburg Fire Department.
https://www.daiglefuneralhome.com/obituary/Warren-DoughtyJr

It is never to early!

On 11/6/2023, the Small Business Administration announced a Disaster Declaration for Economic Injury incurred from the October 25, 2023 incident in Lewiston. This declaration is for counties contingent to Androscoggin County and to Androscoggin County.
This opportunity is for a 𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐎𝐀𝐍 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐃. Applying 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈.
For more information, please click on the link below:

MySBA Loan Portal SBA Lending Portal

Sign up for CodeRED® at https://www.sagadahoccountyme.gov/departments_and_services/emergency_management_agency_and_board_of_health/emergency_notification.php

Sagadahoc County has implemented the CodeRED® Emergency Warning Notification System - an ultra high-speed telephone communication service. This system allows Sagadahoc County to telephone, text message, TTY, and email all or affected areas of the County in case of an emergency situation.

The CodeRED® Emergency Warning Notification System delivers customized messages directly to homes and businesses. Un-blocked landline telephones are automatically included in the alerts. To opt-in a cell phone or another number, click here. There is no cost to register additional methods with Sagadahoc County.

Alternatively, the CodeRED® app is available for Apple and Android.

Food Safety Matters!
Visit the Food and Drug Administration for more information!

Food Safety during Power Outages Weather emergencies can happen. When they do, the best strategy is to already have a plan in place. This includes knowing the proper food safety precautions ...

It is a requirement when you are EMA staff to have a sense of humor...
Remember to set the clocks back on your devIces that do not do it automatically (like your thermostat).

◼️ Be Ready for Winter Weather!
◼️ Weatherproof your home to protect against the cold.
◼️ Install a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in
your home. Make sure the batteries are working!
◼️ Have your chimney or flue inspected every year.
◼️ Insulate walls and attic.
◼️ Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
◼️ If power lines are down, call your local utility and emergency
services
◼️ If power lines fall on your car, warn people not to touch the car
or power lines.
◼️ Make sure your car is ready for winter travel.
◼️ Make a winter emergency kit to keep in your car.
◼️ Keep gas tank full to avoid ice in tank and fuel lines.
◼️ Replace worn tires and check tire air pressure.
◼️ Check antifreeze level and have radiator system serviced.
◼️ Prepare yourself for exposure to winter weather.
◼️ Dress warmly and limit exposure to the cold to prevent
frostbite.
◼️ Avoid getting wet to prevent hypothermia.
◼️ Check out more tips on winter weather indoor safety.
◼️ Never leave lit candles or other flames unattended.
◼️ Bring your pets indoors as temperatures drop!
For more information visit: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/beforestorm/preparehome.html

Visit our Monthly Memo page!
This month is all about Winter Storms.
Click the link below to learn more!
https://www.sagadahoccountyme.gov/departments_and_services/emergency_management_agency_and_board_of_health/november__winter_storms.php