Emergency Management

Nick Emlen, Emergency Management Director

EmergencyDirector@calaisvermont.gov

802-229-4919

Local emergency management includes activities that help the town prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate the risk of future emergency incidents.
Planning takes place on a community-wide basis, and also provides training and resources to individuals and families for developing a personal preparedness plan.

During an extensive power outage or in other emergency situations, warming/evacuation center
or overnight shelter locations may be opened in Calais or surrounding towns. Notice of open
shelters and other information on local emergency conditions include:

• Vermont 211 https://vermont211.org/
• Calais town website homepage banner https://www.calaisvermont.gov/
• Vermont Emergency Management website: https://vem.vermont.gov/vtalert
• Radio stations: WDEV AM 550 and FM 96.1 Vermont Public Radio
• Front Porch Forum
• Red Cross listing of open shelters:https://www.redcross.org/get-help.html

 Possible warming/evacuation or overnight shelter sites include:

Calais Elementary School, Calais Town Hall, Maple Corner Community Center, Barre Auditorium.

If utility lines are down and access to internet or cell service is not available, look for notices and
signs posted in typical foot traffic locations such as:

• East Calais post office
• Adamant post office/store
• Maple Corner post office/store
• Calais Elementary School
• Calais Town Office

 

To sign up for emergency alerts via cell phone, landline, text or email, register with Vermont
Emergency Management: https://vem.vermont.gov/vtalert

 

For general information about family and community preparedness for emergencies:
• http://ready.gov/
• https://www.ready.gov/kit
• https://vem.vermont.gov/preparedness

 

If you are interested in volunteering to assist our community in the event of an emergency, please fill out the form here:

Calais Emergency Management volunteer sign up

 

Citizens Assistance Registry for Emergencies (CARE)
Are you elderly, have limited mobility, or require specialized medical equipment and need
special assistance during an evacuation or power outage? Register in advance online:
https://member.everbridge.net/453003085617576/login
or complete the form at that website and mail it to:
State of Vermont, Enhanced 911 Board
6 Baldwin St, Montpelier VT 05633.

This service is offered In coordination with VT 911, United Way and VT 211

Vermont statute and the State Emergency Management Plan direct all municipalities to review and update their Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP) annually, and to formally re-adopt it between town meeting day and May 1^st. Each year Calais updates a list of local resources and volunteer expertise that can be called upon during an incident. The LEMP establishes lines of responsibility and coordination during a disaster, identifies high risk populations and shelter sites, and details procedures and resources for supporting responders when the Calais emergency operations center is activated. A current LEMP also qualifies the town to receive federal preparedness funds and increased state reimbursement through the Emergency Relief and Assistance Fund (ERAF).

Calais residents are encouraged to sign up for VT Alerts, the state’s notification system for emergencies such as weather, road conditions, flood warnings and Amber Alerts. VT Alerts has been updated with improved functionality and a smartphone app. If you have signed up in the past, you may need to re-register within the new system.

Citizen engagement is a vital part of effective emergency management. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Emergency Management Director Nick Emlen: 229-4919

Calais Emergency Management Meeting Minutes

Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Meeting Minutes

 

Links:

Vermont Covid-19 Information

VT Alerts

Local Community Preparedness

Vermont Emergency Management