DEPARTMENT
Last Website Update:
September 16, 2022 7:56 AM
Welcome to the Office of Emergency Management
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is a function in the Lynn Fire Department and is responsible for managing the emergency management program for the City of Lynn. This includes planning and coordination of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery to any natural or man-made hazard that may impact the City of Lynn.
During a large-scale emergency, OEM advises the Mayor and coordinates the response and recovery efforts of City departments and agencies as well as private organizations and volunteer groups.
Emergency Preparedness and Planning
Do you know what to do in an emergency? From having family supplies such as water, food, batteries, first aid kit, medications, can opener, etc. to having a plan (link to http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan), there are steps you can take to be prepared.
In the event of an emergency, City of Lynn updates and shelter information will be issued through the City of Lynn website at http://www.lynnma.gov.
You can also get City of Lynn updates by connecting through Mayor Nicholson's Facebook page Twitter page.
Massachusetts has established a non-emergency help and information line that you can call by dialing 2-1-1.
To learn more about how you and your family can prepare, visit these sites:
Weather Advisories
Risk of Wildland Fires Increases as Drought Persists - AUGUST 2022
With the risk of wildland fires increasing due to below average precipitation across the state, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Beth Card declared the Cape Cod Region will join the Connecticut River Valley, Southeast, Northeast, and Central Regions as a Level 3-Critical Drought. Additionally, the Islands and Western Regions will also elevate to a Level 2-Significant Drought. As outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, a Level-3 Critical Drought and a Level 2-Significant Drought calls for the convening of an inter-agency Mission Group, which has already began to meet, to more closely coordinate on drought assessments, impacts, and response within the government. These efforts are in addition to Level 1-Mild Drought actions, which recommends detailed monitoring of drought conditions, close coordination among state and federal agencies, and technical outreach and assistance to the affected municipalities.
“Massachusetts continues to experience drought conditions in all regions of the state, which is not only depleting public water supplies, but is also elevating the risk of wildland fires,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. “It is critical that we all practice water conservation methods and adhere to local requirements to decrease the stress on our water systems and ensure essential needs, such as drinking water, habitats and fire suppression, are being met.”
“The impact of the current drought conditions are being felt throughout the commonwealth, from damaging wildfires to dry riverbeds and wells,” said MEMA Acting Director Dawn Brantley. “The recent rains help but won’t end the drought so it is more important than ever to prevent wildfires and for residents to conserve water in our day-to-day activities.”
From August 1, 2022, to August 22, 2022, rainfall ranged mostly between 0.5 inch to 1 inch across the state, with a few localized higher and lower totals. Precipitation numbers are trending below average for the month of August. The Cape Cod, Islands, and Western Regions of the state were most impacted by the lack of precipitation. Additionally, since the onset of the drought, regions are experiencing between a four and ten inch deficit in precipitation. Streamflow has also been the most affected index with extreme low flows all across the state, where dry streambeds, increased ponding, higher temperatures in rivers, and increased nutrients and algal blooms are occurring. Furthermore, groundwater levels are declining in each region of the state.
Caution is also advised as fire activity has increased across the state as drought conditions have set in, and wildfires in remote areas with delayed response are now burning deep into the organic soil layers. Drought induced fire behavior can result in suppression challenges for fire resources and result in extended incidents. As a result of fire conditions, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has implemented a temporary ban on all open flame and charcoal fires within state park properties. During the temporary ban, which is in effect until further notice, small portable propane grills are still allowed at campgrounds and recreation areas where grilling is permitted.
Currently, there are over 12 wildfire incidents across the state that are active and require daily mop up and monitoring. This year’s fire season has been extended due to dry conditions. Since the start of the fire season, there have been over 840 wildfires, burning approximately 1,432 acres of land. It is critical that everyone remains aware of how the drought has increased the risk of wildland fires in the state, and the public is asked to exercise extreme caution when using grills and open flames to ensure fires are properly and completely extinguished.
The agricultural sector also continues to experience impacts resulting from the ongoing drought, which includes some depletion of water sources and production acreage, irrigating crops on a more consistent basis due to current precipitation deficits, high temperatures, low soil moisture, and significant increase in operating costs due to increased labor, maintenance of equipment, and increased irrigation. Consumers are encouraged to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and other products at local farm stands and retail stores throughout the Commonwealth.
On August 15, 2022, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Vilsack announced the designation of nine Massachusetts counties as primary natural disaster areas and three counties as contiguous disaster areas due to the 2022 drought. A USDA Secretarial disaster designation makes farm operators in the primary and contiguous counties eligible to be considered for assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), such as FSA emergency loans, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans. The nine primary counties are: Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester. The three contiguous counties are: Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire. For more information, please visit the USDA’s Disaster Assistance Programs’ webpage.
It is important to note that the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) water supply system is not experiencing drought conditions, as defined within its individual plan. Private wells, local streams, wetlands, vernal pools, and other water-dependent habitats located within MWRA-serviced areas are being impacted by drought conditions while water quality in ponds can deteriorate due to lowering of levels and stagnation.
Below are recommendations for communities and individuals living and working within a Level 3 – Critical Drought, Level 2 – Significant Drought and Level 1 – Mild Drought region, including those utilizing a private well. Residents and businesses are also asked to check with their local water system in case more stringent watering restrictions are in place.
For Regions in Level 3 – Critical Drought
Residents and Businesses:
1. Stop all non-essential outdoor watering.
2. Minimize overall water use.
Immediate Steps for Communities:
1. Adopt and implement the state’s nonessential outdoor water use restrictions for drought; Level 3 restriction calls for a ban on all nonessential outdoor water use.
2. Provide timely information on the drought and on water conservation tips to local residents and businesses.
3. Enforce water use restrictions with increasingly stringent penalties.
4. Strongly discourage or prohibit installation of new sod, seeding, and/or landscaping; washing of hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, driveways, siding); personal vehicle or boat washing; filling of swimming pools.
5. Establish or enhance water-use reduction targets for all water users and identify top water users and conduct targeted outreach to help curb their use.
Short- and Medium-Term Steps for Communities:
1. Establish a year-round water conservation program that includes public education and communication.
2. Implement or establish drought surcharge or seasonal water rates.
3. Prepare to activate emergency inter-connections for water supply.
4. Develop or refine your local drought management plan using guidance outlined in the state Drought Management Plan.
For Regions in Level 2 – Significant Drought
Residents and Businesses:
1. Minimize overall water use.
2. Limit outdoor watering to hand-held hoses or watering cans, to be used only after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m.
3. Follow local water use restrictions, if more stringent.
Immediate Steps for Communities:
1. Adopt and implement the state’s nonessential outdoor water use restrictions for drought; Level 2 restriction calls for limiting outdoor watering to hand-held hoses or watering cans, to be used only after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m. If local restrictions are more stringent, continue to keep them in place during the course of the drought.
2. Limit or prohibit installation of new sod, seeding, and/or landscaping; watering during or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall; washing of hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, driveways, siding); personal vehicle or boat washing; filling of swimming pools.
3. Establish water-use reduction targets for all water users and identify top water users and conduct targeted outreach to help curb their use.
Short- and Medium-Term Steps for Communities:
1. Establish a year-round water conservation program that includes public education and communication.
2. Provide timely information to local residents and businesses.
3. Implement or establish drought surcharge or seasonal water rates.
4. Check emergency inter-connections for water supply.
5. Develop or refine your local drought management plan using guidance outlined in the state Drought Management Plan.
For Regions in Level 1 – Mild Drought
Residents and Businesses:
1. Toilets, faucets and showers are more than 60% of indoor use. Make sure yours are WaterSense efficient.
2. Limit outdoor watering to one day a week (only from 5:00 pm – 9:00 am), or less frequently if required by your water supplier
Immediate Steps for Communities:
1. Adopt and implement the state’s nonessential outdoor water use restrictions for drought.
2. Limit or prohibit installation of new sod, seeding, and/or landscaping; watering during or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall; washing of hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, driveways, siding); personal vehicle or boat washing; filling of swimming pools.
3. Establish water-use reduction targets for all water users and identify top water users and conduct targeted outreach to help curb their use.
Short- and Medium-Term Steps for Communities:
1. Establish a year-round water conservation program that includes public education and communication.
2. Provide timely information to local residents and businesses.
3. Implement or establish drought surcharge or seasonal water rates.
4. Check emergency inter-connections for water supply.
1. Develop a local drought management plan using guidance outlined in the state Drought Management Plan.
Practicing water conservation now will greatly help reduce water use to ensure essential needs, such as drinking water and fire protection, are being met, habitats have enough water to support their natural functions, and to sustain the Commonwealth’s water supplies in the long-term. State agencies will continue to monitor and assess current conditions and any associated environmental and agricultural impacts, coordinate any needed dissemination of information to the public, and help state, federal and local agencies prepare additional responses that may be needed in the future. Furthermore, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) will continue to provide technical assistance to communities on managing systems, including emergency connections and water supplies assistance.
“The need for conservation of water has never been greater,” said Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “Citizens are again encouraged to conserve water and follow the conservation measures established by their local water suppliers.”
The Drought Management Task Force will meet again on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 1:00PM. For further information on water conservation and what residents can do, please visit EEA’s drought page and water conservation page. To get the most up-to-date information on the drought indices, go to the state’s drought dashboard page.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preparedness and Safety Information
• Thunderstorm and Lightning Safety Tips: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/thunderstorm-and-lightning-safety-tips
• Extreme Heat Safety Tips: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/extreme-heat-safety-tips
• Tornado Safety Tips: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/tornado-safety-tips
Stay Informed
Utilize Massachusetts Alerts to receive emergency notifications and information from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service. Massachusetts Alerts is a free app that is available for Android and iPhones. Learn more about Massachusetts Alerts, and for information on how to download the free app onto your smartphone.
MEMA’s Real-time Power Outage Viewer to stay informed about current power outages in your community and region, and across the state, including information from utility companies about restoration times:
MEMA’s Live Weather Radar and Forecasting Tools:
Online Resources
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
MEMA's Facebook Page
MEMA Twitter: @MassEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency
National Weather Service/Taunton
National Weather Service/Albany
National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center
Mass211
CALL FOR LYNN CITIZENS EMERGENCY RESPONSE and MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS VOLUNTEERS
The City of Lynn is seeking individuals who are interested in joining a Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). A CERT/MRC is made up of volunteers who assist in preparing for and responding to local disasters. The CERT/MRC may also be called upon to help during the year with routine events (e.g. Annual Flu Clinic, Health Fair, or Community Outreach).
We are seeking the following volunteers:
- Medical, Public, and Mental Health Professionals: doctors, physician’s assistants, nurses, pharmacists, medical technicians, counselors, social workers, psychologists, veterinarians, epidemiologists, EMT’s, etc.
- Volunteer Coordinators: People who are interested in organizing meetings and developing and maintaining the Medical Reserve volunteers.
- Logistical Support: Assistance in setting up Disaster Shelters or Emergency Dispensing Sites
- Clerical Support: greeters, registrars, general administrative help
- Security: traffic flow, parking, etc.
- Transportation: to help people get to our dispensing sites.
- Child Care: for our other volunteers
Benefits of volunteering for Lynn CERT/MRC:
- Serve your family, friends, neighbors and loved ones in your town and beyond
- Be part of a team trained to provide medical, public, and mental health support during an emergency
- Network with other CERT/MRC volunteers as part of a critically important and specialized team
- Participate in initiatives that strengthen public health such as vaccination and health education programs
- CERT/MRC volunteers could be part of a team mobilized during national emergencies
- Free training and continuing education credits – learn about:
- Personal safety in emergency situations
- Shelter Operations
- Emergency management
- Emergency Dispensing Site Operations
- Become familiar with existing local emergency plans, procedures, and facilities
To sign up go to: www.maresponds.org or contact Liisa Jackson: LiisaJacksonNSCA@gmail.com
Also Check Our MAResponds FaceBook page and follow us on Twitter!
Download This Notice | PDF Format
Stay Alert and Stay Informed
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) encourages all residents of the Commonwealth to use their cellphones to receive emergency alerts and warnings about imminent severe weather and other threatening situations.
Using the emergency alerting capabilities of your cellphone to be informed during emergencies is an important component of emergency preparedness. Every family should have multiple methods for receiving emergency alerts, including at least one with an audible alert to wake you in the middle of the night.
Wireless Emergency Alerts – Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are short text-like messages sent to cellphones in an affected area. WEAs are generated automatically when the National Weather Service issues warnings for the most severe weather conditions, including tornados, flash floods, and hurricanes. WEAs also are issued for other types of emergencies, including AMBER alerts. In Massachusetts, MEMA has the ability to issue WEAs for all types of imminent threats and hazards. You do not need to subscribe to any service to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts; the alerts are sent to all WEA-enabled devices in an impacted or threatened area, and most newer cell phones are automatically enabled to receive WEAs. MEMA encourages residents to check their cellphone settings to ensure that WEAs are enabled to be able to receive emergency alerts.
| Massachusetts Mobile App Alerts |
| The Massachusetts Alerts app provides weather warnings from the National Weather Service and emergency alerts and information from MEMA based on your location, proximity to an event or incident, and the preferences you select. The free Massachusetts Alerts app is available for Android and iPhone devices. |
| For Apple iPhones |
Go to Settings > Notifications |
| Scroll to the bottom in the “Government Alerts” section and make sure that “AMBER Alerts” and “Emergency Alerts” are turned on. |
| For Android Phones |
Go to Messages > Settings OR you may have an “Emergency Alerts” icon |
| |
Go to the “Emergency Alerts” section and make sure that “Extreme Alert”, “Severe Alert” and “AMBER Alerts” are turned on. |
| For other cell phone models or for technical information, contact your cell phone carrier. |
Additional Resources
Our New RAVE Mobile Safety Smart911 System
Sign Up Below!
Sign up for the RAVE Mobile safety system to receive emergency alerts relative to the city of Lynn at https://www.smart911.com/
Plan Ahead For Any Emergency
Once you've signed up for Smart911, first responders will be aware of important information you have provided that will help Police, Fire, and EMS locate and help you in an emergency.
Always Be Notified
Alerts powered by Smart911 help inform you of weather, traffic, and other emergencies in your community. Receive alerts from state and local authorities across the country, even in locations where Smart911 is not yet available in the 9-1-1 center.
Your Security Is A Top Priority
Information you provide is kept in our secure facilities and only made available to 9-1-1 call takers and responders if you call 9-1-1.
Your data is protected by industry leading security with Smart911.
You Decide What to Include
Provide as much or as little information as you want. Smart911 only asks for information that is relevant to aid emergency response.
Only Seen If You Call 9-1-1
Your information is only available to 9-1-1 call takers and first responders if you have an emergency and need to call 9-1-1.
Industry Leading Security
Your information is housed in top-tier secure facilities complete with 24/7 physical security, video surveillance, and alarms. The facilities and applications are regularly audited and subjected to intrusion prevention testing. We utilize the same secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate authority and encryption technologies used by leading financial institutions.
City of Lynn Hazard Migration Plan | 2016 Update
Final Plan Update Adopted June 2016
Hazard Mitigation planning is a proactive effort to identify actions that can be taken to reduce the dangers to life and property from natural hazard events. In the communities of the Boston region of Massachusetts, hazard mitigation planning tends to focus most on flooding, the most likely natural hazard to impact these communities. The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires all municipalities that wish to be eligible to receive FEMA funding for hazard mitigation grants, to adopt a local multi-hazard mitigation plan and update this plan in five year intervals.
Planning for the Lynn Hazard Mitigation Plan update was led by the Lynn Local Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee, composed of staff from a number of different City Departments. This committee discussed where the impacts of natural hazards most affect the City, goals for addressing these impacts, and hazard mitigation measures that would benefit the City.
Public participation in this planning process is important for improving awareness of the potential impacts of natural hazards and to build support for the actions the City takes to mitigate them.
Please download and review this draft below.
|
|
