[Updated 9:40 a.m.] Town Officials Organize Emergency Response Plan

If Hurricane Irene hits this area, the best thing to do is not panic, according to a Granby town official.

William Smith, Granby’s town manager, said that in the event of an emergency, the main thing is to remain calm.

“People have to work together,” Smith said. “That’s what neighbors can do. No person can do everything.”

In the event of an emergency, residents should call 911, Smith advised.

For his part, Smith, along state officials town department heads, was busy Friday morning coordinating a system for emergency responders: police, fire department, Connecticut Light & Power, department of public works, social services, ambulance and schools.

He’s also working to ensure the town’s emergency shelters - the Senior Center and Youth Services building and Granby Memorial High School - are organized.

The town’s emergency operations center is the police department, Smith said.

The Town Hall also has “some capacity” to serve as an emergency shelter as well, Smith said.

Smith was also working on targeting roads that tend to flood, such as Mechanicsville Road, for closure.

According to Granby Schools Business Manager Harry Traver, town schools are still planning on opening the academic year this Tuesday.

"We have the benefit of opening on Tuesday," Traver said in a telephone interview. "We can use Monday to assess the situation."

Traver said that school maintenance crews have been working on cutting back tree limbs that could fall on a school during the hurricane.

The school system also has a contingency for dry meals in the event that power is knocked out and refrigerated food goes bad, Traver said.

If there is a silver lining in this whole episode, it's that people had notice of this emergency, unlike tornadoes, for example, Smith said.

East Granby

First Selectman James Hayden wrote in an email that the town is “participating in all statewide emergency operations planning and conference calls.”

Hayden said in a Saturday email that town emergency personnel will be in on a statewide conference call at 11 a.m.

The town’s emergency operations center is at the public safety building, which will be activated around 10 p.m. on Saturday, according to Resident State Trooper Jeremy Powell.

"However, we are constantly monitoring the storm’s progress and continue preparations," Hayden wrote in the Saturday email.

The East Granby Volunteer Fire Department has moved strategic equipment from the South End Firehouse to the main fire station, Hayden said.

"By 10 p.m. [on Saturday night], there will be 15 firefighters manning the main station in case of any emergencies," Hayden said.

Also effective at 10 p.m., the Ambulance Association will be manning the ambulance building around the clock, Hayden said.

The Senior and Community Center is the town’s emergency shelter, according to Hayden.

"A lot of people don't like to use that, but it is available if they need it," Powell said.

East Granby will have round-the-clock police and department of public works coverage once the storm hits, Hayden said.

In addition, the town provided notice to residents of low-lying areas around the Farmington River, Renbrook Park, Tunxis Avenue and Old Church Road to seek higher ground, Powell said.

Other advice that Powell offered was that people should stock up on a few days' worth of water, have good batteries and basic necessities.

"If people need medication, they should to the pharmacy between now and [when the storm hits] and get it as needed," Powell said.

This article was updated to include comments by Resident State Trooper Jeremy Powell in East Granby, and Harry Trevor, the business manager of the board of education in Granby.

This article was updated on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. to include up-to-date information from First Selectman Jim Hayden.