Emergency Preparedness a Key Priority

As a candidate for Seekonk's Board of Selectmen, and, more importantly, a resident of the community I view the pervasiveness of severe storms that have plagued us the past three years to cause emergency preparedness and management to be of critical importance to Seekonk and surrounding communities.  The March 2010 flood, two hurricanes and the blizzard of 2013 have strained the capacity of our public safety, public health and public works departments.  They have also left residents with flooded basements or without power for extended periods of time.

As someone who has dealt with public safety issues for 28 years as a police officer, I know these extreme weather events are a challenge to emergency personnel, public works, public health officials and school departments.  In addition, they are stressful for residents, particularly the elderly, families with young children, and any persons with medical conditions.  When elected as Selectman, I will call for a top to bottom review of emergency preparedness and management to make sure that the proper people, equipment and procedures are in place.

I want to be assured that our emergency announcements are reaching as many homes as possible through Reverse 911 or radio broadcast, especially during power outages.  I also will work with public safety and dispatch to overcome interruptions in phone service that interfere with the ability to make outgoing calls to 911 in an emergency. Some residents have suggested that Seekonk prepare an emergency handbook or brochure that outlines home preparations for weather events, including supplies to have on hand, indoor and outdoor safety, and emergency phone numbers.  I will seek to enhance community involvement in identifying ways to improve preparedness and response at the neighborhood level where residents experience these storms.

Seekonk has a mutual aid agreement with all of our surrounding communities. Although no two communities would face identical problems during storms and power outages, there are enough similarities that would make the sharing of ideas, the sharing of assets and joint problem-solving a potential benefit to neighboring communities.

More more information on my priorities go to www.bradyforselectman.com.