Emergency Management

Emergency Management

The Town of Uxbridge Emergency Management Department is activated for town-wide/ large scale emergencies such as blizzards, flooding, and widespread power outages. The primary responsibility of the department is to coordinate resources during emergencies and disasters that exceed the day-to-day resources of other public departments (Uxbridge Police, Uxbridge Fire-Rescue Departments, Department of Public Works, Board of Health, etc.) Every emergency and disaster starts at a local level, and the Town of Uxbridge Emergency Management Department has assumed the responsibility of assisting Town departments in being prepared for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. In direct cooperation with and assistance from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Town of Uxbridge Emergency Management Department is continuously working to identify potential risks posed to the community. 

• Plans and prepares for emergencies 
• Educates the public about emergency preparedness
• Conducts training exercises and drills
• Performs other services to support the towns preparedness  

Background

In 1986, the United States Congress passed the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, Public Law 99-499, commonly known as EPCRA or SARA Title III. Section 301(a) of the legislation required each governor to appoint a state emergency response commission (SERC) by April 1, 1987. Section 301(b) charged the SERC's with the responsibility of dividing the states into planning districts and Section 301(c) for appointing local emergency planning committees (LEPCs).

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

The Community Emergency Response Team program is assembled with the cooperation of the Uxbridge Police and Uxbridge Fire-Rescue Departments to build awareness and preparation within the community during large scale emergencies.

**MORE DETAILS TO COME

Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

Located at:

• Uxbridge Police Department: 275 Douglas Street Uxbridge, MA 01569 Phone: 508-278-7755

The Town of Uxbridge maintains an independent Emergency Operations Center (EOC) that is activated during a large scale/ town-wide emergency. At the time of an emergency, all town department heads, communications staff, and local government officials, activated through an Emergency Support Function, convene at the EOC to manage and coordinate resources and assets in order to mitigate the incident.

Shelters

During emergencies that cause residents to become displaced from their homes, the Town of Uxbridge Emergency Management Department is responsible for cooperating with the various Non-Governmental Organizations such as, The American Red Cross to open and operate emergency shelters throughout the town. Residents will be advised of shelter availability and which shelter(s) will be opened depending on the emergency and its location.