Southern New Hampshire Region Community Preparedness Plan

Transcription

1 Southern New Hampshire Region 2010

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3 PREFACE The Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission in partnership with the City of Manchester has developed the Southern New Hampshire Region Community Preparedness Program (SNHRCPP) in response to the overwhelming need for community preparedness in our region and in our State. Since 2005, New Hampshire has experienced a destructive series of events, including floods, a major tornado and the most serious ice storm in its history in December Most recently, New Hampshire experienced an intense windstorm from February 25-26, 2010, which brought down trees and limbs, knocked out power to over 270,000 residents and caused major flooding, rivaling the floods of Mother s Day This storm was followed two weeks later by a nor easter, which caused more flooding, with the hardest hit areas in the southern part of the State. From these recent disasters, it has become apparent that the need for community preparedness is greater than ever. Through the SNHRCPP, SNHPC and the City of Manchester hope to develop a regional framework and plan for increasing levels of community preparedness in our region. By addressing the need for community preparedness and planning on a regional level all of the communities will benefit from increased coordination and efficiency of resources. This program was developed in two stages, planning and outreach. The Community Preparedness Committee was formed and consists of representatives from emergency management, police, fire and local government from each town in the region. This Committee, with assistance from Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission developed this plan to guide the goals and outreach strategies. The Committee then divided into working groups to develop the outreach program that was implemented. This program is intended to be a model for other regions in the State for developing their own community preparedness programs and for increasing levels of community preparedness throughout the State of New Hampshire. Natural disasters will continue to threaten our communities and with this plan and program our communities will be better prepared to handle them. iii

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5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission and the City of Manchester would like to thank the following people for contributing their time and effort to complete the Southern New Hampshire Region and who continue to stay involved in the outreach efforts of the program. Southern New Hampshire Region Community Preparedness Committee Nick Campasano, Manchester Fire Department, Deputy Chief Bill Herman, Town of Auburn, Town Administrator Bob Panit, Town of Candia, Emergency Management Director Richard O Brien, Goffstown Fire Department, Chief Chuck Hemeon, Derry Fire Department, EMS Director Dan Pike, Town of Hooksett, Emergency Management Director David Bailey, Bedford Police Department, Chief Janet Chamberlain, New Boston Fire Department Jim Cannon, Town of Deerfield, Emergency Management Director Kevin MacCaffrie, Londonderry Fire Department, Chief Kevin Pratt, Raymond Fire Department, Chief Mark Klose, Bedford Fire Department, Deputy Chief Patrick Sullivan, Goffstown Police Department, Chief Paul King, Town of Weare, Emergency Management Director Richard Snow, Town of Candia, BOS Scott Wiggin, Bedford Fire Department, Chief Stephen Tunberg, Town of Chester, Emergency Management Director Denise Greig, Town of Deerfield, Welfare Administrator v

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7 TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS... v EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... ix CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Authority Objective Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) Collaboration Southern New Hampshire Region Description CHAPTER II HAZARD IDENTIFICATION Hazard Identification Flooding Wind Fire Ice and Snow Events Seismic Events Other Manmade Hazards Health Hazards CHAPTER III OVERVIEW OF EMERGENCY SERVICES Responsibilities Emergency Operations Center Emergency Operations Plans Emergency Communications Mutual Aid Community Resources Emergency Preparedness Cycle Law Enforcement in Times of Disaster and Evacuation Overview Shelters Water Resources Animal Services Contact Information Evacuation CHAPTER IV MITIGATION STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN Goals CHAPTER V COMMUNITY READINESS vii

8 Southern New Hampshire Region Community Readiness CHAPTER VI COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS OUTREACH APPENDIX A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING APPENDIX B MAPS Southern New Hampshire Region Designated Emergency Shelters APPENDIX C OUTREACH MATERIALS viii

9 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Southern New Hampshire Region has been developed to help the Southern New Hampshire Region to increase community preparedness by implementing outreach strategies that will increase residents knowledge of preparedness activities, sources of information and resources within their communities and within their region. The Southern New Hampshire Region Community Preparedness Committee, made up of local officials and community members, developed the plan and continue to remain committed to implementing the outreach. The plan identifies the following hazards: Flooding Wind Fire Ice and Snow Events Seismic Events Other Hazards Manmade Hazards Health Hazards The plan also gives an overview of emergency services in the Southern New Hampshire Region and contact information for emergency management personnel in each community. The plan outlines mitigation strategies and actions, identifies community readiness stages for each community and strategies for implementation for each stage and community as well. Lastly, the plan outlines the outreach process the Southern New Hampshire Region has developed and implemented. This plan should be reviewed and updated on an annual basis by the Southern New Hampshire Community Preparedness Program Plan Development Working Group in coordination with the rest of the Southern New Hampshire Region Community Preparedness Committee. The next update will be during x

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11 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Authority In 2009, the City of Manchester, through the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), received a State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) grant to ensure the creation of a Community Preparedness Program and a for the Southern New Hampshire Region. Objective This comprehensive template was created to help local communities guide and organize their process for plan development. Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) Federal legislation has historically provided funding for disaster relief, recovery, and some hazard mitigation planning. The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 is the latest legislation to improve this planning process (Public Law ). DMA 2000 reinforces the importance of mitigation planning and emphasizes planning for disasters before they occur. It establishes a pre-disaster hazard mitigation program and new requirements for the national post-disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Section 322 of DMA 2000 specifically addresses mitigation planning at the state and local levels. It identifies new requirements that allow HMGP funds to be used for planning activities, and increases the amount of HMGP funds available to states that have developed a comprehensive, enhanced mitigation plan prior to a disaster. States and communities must have an approved mitigation plan in place prior to receiving post-disaster HMGP funds. Local and tribal mitigation plans must demonstrate that their proposed mitigation measures are based on a sound planning process that accounts for the risk to and the capabilities of the individual communities. Collaboration The City of Manchester, along with the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission is working with all other municipalities in the region and their Emergency Services to develop and implement this plan. Those municipalities are Auburn, Bedford, Candia, Chester, Deerfield, Derry, Goffstown, Hooksett, Londonderry, New Boston, Raymond, and Weare. 11

12 Southern New Hampshire Region The FFY 2008 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) provides funds to enhance the capability of State and local units of government to prevent, deter, respond to and recover from incidents of terrorism involving the use of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) weapons and cyber attacks. These funds support costs related to homeland security and emergency operations planning activities; the purchase of specialized equipment; costs related to the design, development and conduct of a State CBRNE and cyber security training programs and attendance at sponsored courses; the design, development, conduct and evaluation of CBRNE and cyber security exercises and other costs associated with implementing the State Homeland Security Strategies. The City of Manchester has been awarded FFY 2008 SHSP funds to develop and implement a Community Protection and Evacuation Plan (CPEP) for the Southern New Hampshire Region. The municipalities of the Southern New Hampshire Region acknowledge their commitment to the successful completion of the CPEP project design and implementation. The municipalities of the Southern New Hampshire region further agree to use the plan as a guide for their own preparedness planning efforts and to be involved in regional preparedness planning efforts as outlined in this plan. Each municipality has signed a Memorandum of Understanding acknowledging their commitment to this program (See Appendix A). 12

13 Southern New Hampshire Region Description The Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission was established in 1966 under the provisions of New Hampshire RSA, Chapter 36, as a means of establishing an on-going regional planning process. The region includes the City of Manchester and the towns of Auburn, Bedford, Candia, Chester, Deerfield, Derry, Goffstown, Hooksett, Londonderry, New Boston, Raymond and Weare. The region encompasses portions of Hillsborough, Merrimack and Rockingham counties. The Southern New Hampshire region land area is 305,741.7 acres and the water area is 8,260.5 acres for a total of 314,002.2 acres. The region s population was estimated at 261,791 for 2008 by the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning. The Southern New Hampshire region contains several major rivers, lakes, and shoreline areas. A few of the region s most important surface waters are the Merrimack River, the Piscataquog River and Massabesic Lake. The Merrimack River runs south through the SNHPC communities of Hooksett, Goffstown, Bedford, and Manchester. The Piscataquog River is a tributary of the Merrimack and starts outside of the region in the town of Deering, NH. It then runs through the towns of Weare, Goffstown and Manchester before entering the Merrimack. Located mostly within Auburn, as well as in Manchester, Massabesic Lake serves as the public water supply for Manchester and many of the surrounding towns. Major highways in the region include Interstate 93, which runs north-south and Interstate 293, a business route through Manchester, as well as Route 101, which is a major east-west highway extending from Keene, NH to Hampton Beach, NH. The climate in Southern New Hampshire is characterized by warm summers and cool winters. Average temperatures in July range from a high of 84 degrees to a low of 57. Average temperatures in January range from a high of 36 degrees to a low of 14. New Hampshire has cool summers with low humidity. The temperatures are warmer in the southern part of the state. New Hampshire winters are cold with heavy snowfalls. Much of the state's precipitation comes as snow. The heaviest precipitation is in the south and far north of the state. Average annual precipitation is inches. 13

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16 CHAPTER II HAZARD IDENTIFICATION Hazard Identification Hazard identification is the process of identifying hazards that threaten an area including both natural and man-made events. A natural event causes a hazard when it harms people or property. Such events would include floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunami, coastal storms, landslides, and wildfires that strike populated areas. Man-made hazard events are caused by human activity and include technological hazards and terrorism. Technological hazards are generally accidental and/or have unintended consequences (for example, an accidental hazardous materials release). - The following hazards have previously occurred or could occur in the Southern New Hampshire Region: Flooding, Wind, Fire, Ice and Snow Events, Seismic Events, Other, Manmade Hazards, Health Hazards. Flooding Similar to many other region s in New Hampshire, the communities in the Southern New Hampshire Region developed along the waterways. The Southern New Hampshire region contains several major rivers, lakes, and shoreline areas. Two of the region s major surface waters are the Merrimack River and Massabesic Lake. The Merrimack River runs south through the SNHPC communities of Hooksett, Bedford, and Manchester. Located mostly within Auburn, as well as in Manchester, Massabesic Lake serves as the public water supply for Manchester and many of the surrounding towns. As a result of this development pattern, the floodplains were rapidly settled. The shift to industrialization during the mid-nineteenth century compounded the problem as [r]esidents moved to the floodplains Such encroachment has led to problems Flood safety is a great concern along these watercourses and can be greatly enhanced by flood hazard mitigation planning (State of New Hampshire Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan p ). The goal [of flood hazard mitigation is to eliminate or reduce the long-term risks to human life and property from flooding by reducing the cause of the hazard or reducing the effects through preparedness, response and recovery measures. Hazard Mitigation is the only phase of emergency management that can break the cycle of damage, reconstruction and repeated damage (Ibid. p. 13). The following hazards have been identified as associated with flooding in the Southern New Hampshire region: - Riverine Flooding - Hurricanes 16

17 - Debris-impacted infrastructure and river ice jams - Erosion and mudslides - Rapid snowpack melt - Dam Breach or failure - Road washouts and culvert crossings Yr. Floodplain Events - Localized Flooding - Other water retention facility failure Major Disaster Declarations (Severe Storms and Flooding): Date Declared October 3, 2008 September 5, 2008 August 11, 2008 April 27, 2007 May 25, 2006 October 26, 2005 September July 2, 1998 October 29, 1996 January 3, November 13, 1991 August 29, 1990 April 16, 1987 August 27, 1986 February 16, 1978 January 21, 1974 July 11, 1973 March 18, 1972 Counties Designated Hillsborough, Merrimack Belknap, Coos, and Grafton Belknap, Carroll, Merrimack, Rockingham and Strafford Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford, Sullivan Belknap, Carroll, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford, Sullivan Belknap, Cheshire, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Sullivan Cheshire, Sullivan Belknap, Carroll, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Sullivan County Data Not Available County Data Not Available Severe Coastal Storm, County Data Not Available County Data Not Available County Data Not Available County Data Not Available High Winds, Tidal Surge, Coastal Flooding, County Data Not Available County Data Not Available County Data Not Available Coastal Storms, County Data Not Available More than half (approximately 56%) of the major disaster declarations in New Hampshire in the past 56 years have been related to severe storms and flooding. This hazard is by far one of the biggest concerns for all areas of New Hampshire, including the Southern New Hampshire region, which is home to approximately 20% of the State s population. 17

18 Wind There are several hazards associated with Wind: - Hurricanes - Nor easters - Tornadoes - Downbursts - Lightning Severe hurricanes reaching south-central New Hampshire in the late summer and early fall are the most dangerous of the coastal storms that pass through New England from the south. During a hurricane wind speeds may reach 250 miles per hour in a Category 5 hurricane, as measured on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Tropical depressions are considered to be of hurricane force when winds reach 74 miles per hour. Substantial damage may result from winds of this force, especially considering the duration of the event, which may last for many hours. A Northeaster is [a] large weather system traveling from South to North passing along or near the seacoast. As the storm approaches New England and its intensity becomes increasingly apparent, the resulting counterclockwise cyclonic wind, impacts the coast and inland areas from a northeasterly direction. The sustained winds may meet or exceed hurricane force, with larger bursts, and may exceed hurricane events by many hours in terms of duration. These storms have complex meteorological derivations (State of New Hampshire Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan p. 58). Unlike the relatively infrequent hurricane, New Hampshire generally experiences at least one or two of these events each year with varying degrees of severity. These storms have the potential to inflict more damage than many hurricanes because high winds can last from 12 hours to 3 days, while the duration of hurricanes ranges from 6 to 12 hours. Infrastructure, including critical facilities, may be impacted by these events, and power outages and transportation disruptions (i.e. snow and/or debris impacted roads, as well as hazards to navigation and aviation) are often associated with the event (Ibid.). A tornado is a violent windstorm characterized by a twisting, funnel-shaped cloud. These events are spawned by thunderstorms and occasionally by hurricanes. They may also occur singularly or in multiples. They develop when cool air overrides a layer of warm air, causing the warm air to rise rapidly. Most vortices remain suspended in the atmosphere. Should they touch down, they become a force of destruction. A downburst is a severe localized wind blasting down from a thunderstorm. These straight line winds are distinguishable from tornado activity by the pattern of destruction and debris. Depending on the size and location of these events, the destruction to property may be devastating. Downbursts fall into two categories. Microbursts cover an area less than 2.5 miles in diameter, and macrobursts cover an area at least 2.5 miles in diameter (Ibid. p. 59) During the development of a thunderstorm, the rapidly rising air within the cloud, combined with the movement of the precipitation within the cloud, causes electrical charges to build up within the cloud. Generally, positive charges build up near the top of the cloud, while negative charges build up near the bottom. Normally, the Earth s surface has a slight negative charge. However, as the negative charges build up near the base of the cloud, the ground beneath the 18

19 cloud and the area surrounding the cloud becomes positively charged. As the cloud moves, these induced positive charges on the ground follow the cloud like a shadow. Lightning is a giant spark of electricity that occurs between the positive and negative charges within the atmosphere or between the atmosphere and the ground. In the initial stages of development, air acts as an insulator between the positive and negative charges. However, when the potential between the positive and negative charges becomes too great, there is a discharge of electricity that we know as lightning (State of New Hampshire Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan p. 63). Major Disaster Declarations (Wind): Date Declared August 11, 2008 September 19, 2005 October 18, 1999 September 9, 1991 Counties Designated Tornado, Rockingham, Merrimack, Belknap, Carroll Hurricane Katrina evacuation, All Counties in New Hampshire Tropical Storm Floyd, Belknap, Cheshire, Grafton Hurricane Bob, No County Data Available In the past 56 years New Hampshire has experienced 4 wind related major disaster declarations, 2 Hurricane-related, 1 Tropical Storm and 1 Tornado. Wind-related disasters are not as frequent as flooding disasters in New Hampshire, but can cause extreme damage when they do happen. The Southern New Hampshire region and the rest of the State experienced a severe windstorm and subsequent flooding from February 25-26, As of March 2010, Governor Lynch has filed a request for a Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) in his efforts to get the hardest hit regions declared disaster areas that qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds and assistance. 19

20 Fire New Hampshire is heavily forested and is therefore vulnerable to this hazard, particularly during periods of drought and/or large-scale natural disturbances causing unusual fuel buildup. The proximity of many populated areas to the State s forested lands exposes these areas and their populations to the potential impact of Wildfire. The Granite State is the second most forested state in the United States (trailing Maine). Forests occupy 84 percent, or 4.8 million acres. The area of forest land is now about the same as it was in The state is experiencing a decline in forest cover in the southern part of the state, where rapid commercial and residential development has extended into previously forested areas. This sprawl has created its own concerns regarding the increased risk of damage in the wildland-urban interface. In a study conducted by the United States Forest Service in 2006, New Hampshire was ranked as having the highest percentage of homes in the wildland-urban interface of any state in the nation (State of New Hampshire Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan p. 18). Hazards associated with Fire include: - Wildland Fires / Grass Fires - Isolated Homes - Forest Fires - Urban Fire Hazards - Target Hazards Major Disaster Declarations (Fire): Date Declared Counties Designated July 2, Forest Fire In the past 56 years only 1 major disaster declaration has been declared for forest fire. Even though this hazard has not been as frequent as some of the others in New Hampshire it is still a major concern, since the state is so heavily forested. Ice and Snow Events Hazards associated with Ice and Snow include: - Heavy Snowstorms - Ice Storms - Hailstorms A heavy snowstorm is generally considered to be one which deposits four or more inches of snow in a twelve-hour period A blizzard is a winter storm characterized by high winds, low temperatures, and driving snow- according to the official definition given in 1958 by the U.S. Weather Bureau, the winds must exceed 35 miles per hour and the temperatures must drop to 20 F (-7 C) or lower. Therefore, intense Nor -easters which occur in the winter months are often referred to as blizzards. The definition includes the conditions under which dry snow, which has previously fallen, is whipped into the air and creates a diminution of visual range. Such conditions, when extreme enough, are called white outs (State of New Hampshire Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan p ). A major snow event typically occurs about every two years. 20

21 When a mass of warm moist air collides with a mass of cold arctic air, the less dense warm air will rise and the moisture may precipitate out in the form of rain. When this rain falls through the colder more dense air and comes in contact with cold surfaces, the latent heat of fusion is removed by connective and/or evaporative cooling. Ice forms on these cold surfaces and may continue to form until the ice is quite deep, as much as several inches. This condition may strain branches of trees, power lines and even transmission towers to the breaking point and often creates treacherous conditions for highway travel and aviation. Notwithstanding the unique beauty of such events, the weight of formed ice (especially with a following wind) may cause power and phone lines to snap and the towers that support them to fail under the load of ice and/or bending or broken tree limbs. Debris impacted roads make emergency access, repair and cleanup extremely difficult. The recent Ice Storm of January 1998 was not unique in either its spatial scope or its devastating consequences. A similar event in 1929 is believed to have been comparable to this event (Ibid. p. 80). New Hampshire, and much of the Northeast, experienced an intense ice storm from December 11-12, A major disaster declaration was declared for 10 counties in New Hampshire, including Hillsborough. The damage was widespread and approximately 400,000 residents of New Hampshire lost power from the storm. Restoring power to a majority of the State took approximately 14 days and in some extreme cases it took 17 days. Hailstones are balls of ice that grow as they are held up by winds, known as updrafts, which blow upwards in thunderstorms. The updrafts carry droplets of supercooled water (at a below freezing temperature) but not yet ice. The supercooled water droplets hit the balls of ice and freeze instantly, making the hailstones grow. The faster the updraft, the bigger the stone can grow (State of New Hampshire Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan p. 67). Most hailstones are smaller in diameter than a dime, but, stones weighing more than a pound have been recorded. Details of how hailstones grow are complicated but, the results are irregular balls of ice that can be as large as baseballs, sometimes even bigger. While crops are the major victims, hail is also a hazard to vehicles and windows. Hail damage events can be severe to persons, property, livestock and agriculture (Ibid). 21

22 Major Disaster Declarations (Ice and Snow): Date Declared Type Counties Designated January 2, 2009 Severe Winter Storm All Counties in NH December 13, 2008 Ice Storm All Counties in NH April 28, 2005 Snow Carroll, Cheshire, Hillsborough, Rockingham, Sullivan March 30, 2005 Snow Carroll, Coos, Cheshire, Grafton, Sullivan March 30, 2005 Snow Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford, Sullivan January 15, 2004 Snow Belknap, Carroll, Coos, Cheshire, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Sullivan March 11, 2003 Snowstorm Cheshire, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford March 28, 2001 Snowstorm Coos, Cheshire, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford January 15,1998 Ice Storms County Data Not Available March 16, 1993 Blizzards, High Winds County Data Not Available And Record Snowfall Approximately one-third of the major disaster declarations in the past 56 years in New Hampshire have been related to Ice and Snow events, making this a major concern for the Southern New Hampshire region. The recent 2008 Ice Storm has shown us just how damaging this hazard can be and has spurred heightened awareness to the need for citizen preparedness in the Southern New Hampshire region. 22

23 Seismic Events A series of vibrations induced in the Earth s crust by the abrupt rupture and rebound of rocks in which elastic strain has been slowly accumulating (Ibid p. 37). In general, New England is considered to have a moderate seismic vulnerability but a high seismic risk because of our built environment (Ibid p. 43). More than 260 earthquakes have been felt in New Hampshire in recorded history. The earliest damaging event occurred on October 29, 1727 with an epicenter off the coastline of New Hampshire or Maine. This was followed by a quake of at least equal intensity in 1755 known as the Cape Ann epicenter with a magnitude estimated to be 5.8. The strongest quake to be felt in the state occurred near La Malbaie, Quebec in 1925 measured at magnitude 6.6 at the epicenter. The strongest damaging quakes with an epicenter in the state occurred at Tamworth on December 20 and 24, 1940, both with a measured magnitude of 5.8. At least 262 earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 1.4 and epicenters within New Hampshire have occurred since 1728 (Kathleen Langone, unpublished compilation, 1992). Perhaps the most memorable quake (Gaza Epicenter) was recorded with a magnitude of 4.7 west of Laconia on January 19, 1982, but only minor damage occurred. The record is complete enough to allow seismologists to compute occurrence probabilities for earthquakes in New England ranging from magnitude 4.6 to 6.0. Thus, earthquakes will continue to occur in New Hampshire with at least the same frequency and magnitude as in the past. 1 Within the past 6 months (March to September 2009) there have been 8 micro-earthquakes, of magnitude 2.1 or less within 100 miles of the Southern New Hampshire region. In the past 30 years there have been 5 earthquakes of 3.5 magnitude or higher, with the highest being 4.7 on January 19, 1982 near Sanbornton, NH. 2 Hazards associated with Seismic events include: - Earthquakes - Landslides 1 NH Department of Environmental Services. Earthquakes in New Hampshire Fact sheet Lamont-Doherty Cooperative Seismographic Network (LCSN) 23

24 Other Other Hazards in Southern New Hampshire include: - Geomagnetism - Radon - Drought - Extreme Heat - Extreme Cold The State of New Hampshire Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan defines geomagnetism as of, or pertaining to the Earth s magnetic field and related phenomena. Large geomagnetic disturbances commonly known as magnetic storms, if global in scale, or as magnetic substorms if localized in scale and limited to night time high altitude auroral regions, are of particular significance for electric power utilities, pipeline operations, radio communications, navigation, satellite operations, geophysical exploration and GPS (global positional system) use. Radon is a radioactive gas with carcinogenic properties that occurs naturally. It has been identified as a problem in many New Hampshire communities. Typically the radon is fond in some metamorphic rocks in southeastern New Hampshire and may enter homes in a dissolved state through the drinking water from drilled wells. The NH Office of Community and Public Health Bureau of Radiological Health, as cited in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan, reports nearly one third of New Hampshire homes have radon levels at or above the United States Environmental Protection Agencies action level of four picocuries per liter for at least a portion of the year. Manmade Hazards FEMA defines manmade hazards as technological hazards and terrorism. These are distinct from natural hazards primarily in that they originate from human activity. In contrast, while the risks presented by natural hazards may be increased or decreased as a result of human activity, they are not inherently human induced. The term technological hazards refers to the origins of incidents that can arise from human activities such as the manufacture, transportation, storage, and use of hazardous materials. For the sake of simplicity, this plan assumes that technological emergencies are accidental and that their consequences are unintended. The term terrorism refers to intentional, criminal, malicious acts. There is no single, universally accepted definition of terrorism, and it can be interpreted in many ways. 3 Officially, terrorism is defined in the Code of Federal Regulations as...the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. (28 CFR, Section 0.85). The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) further characterizes terrorism as either domestic or international, depending on the origin, base, and objectives of the terrorist organization; however, the origin of the terrorist or person causing the hazard is far less relevant to mitigation planning than the hazard itself and its consequences. 3 FEMA. Integrating Manmade Hazards into Mitigation Planning. Version 2. September

25 FEMA defines terrorism as referring to the use of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), including biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological weapons; arson, incendiary, explosive, and armed attacks; industrial sabotage and intentional hazardous materials releases; and cyberterrorism. Within these general categories, however, there are many variations. Particularly in the area of biological and chemical weapons, there are a wide variety of agents and ways for them to be disseminated. Major Manmade Hazards identified that could possibly affect the Southern New Hampshire region include: - Aircraft Emergency / Airport Related - Haz-mat Transportation - Utility pipe failure - Fixed Haz-Mat Facilities Health Hazards A public health emergency is broadly defined as the occurrence of a sudden event that affects the public s health. A public health emergency can be caused by natural disasters, biological terrorism, chemical terrorism/accidents, radiological terrorism/accidents, or naturally occurring communicable disease outbreaks (State of New Hampshire Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan, pg.1, March 8, 2006). According to the World Health Organization a disease epidemic occurs when there are more cases of that disease than normal. A pandemic is a worldwide epidemic of a disease. An influenza pandemic may occur when a new influenza virus appears against which the human population has no immunity. In June 2009, World Health Organization declared that flu due to a new strain of swine-origin H1N1 was responsible for the 2009 flu pandemic. This strain is often called "swine flu" by the public media. Influenza A (H1N1) virus is a subtype of influenzavirus A and the most common cause of influenza (flu) in humans. Some strains of H1N1 are endemic in humans and cause a small fraction of all influenza-like illness and a large fraction of all seasonal influenza. H1N1 strains caused roughly half of all human flu infections in Other strains of H1N1 are endemic in pigs (swine influenza) and in birds (avian influenza). 4 CDC 25

26 CHAPTER III OVERVIEW OF EMERGENCY SERVICES Responsibilities The National Incident Management System is a structure for management of large-scale or multi-jurisdictional incidents. It is being phased in at the federal, state and local levels. The communities in the Southern New Hampshire region are currently at different stages of the NIMS transition, but all are working towards compliance. Currently, response to emergencies and disasters are largely handled on a state and local level in New Hampshire. On a state level, New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) handles the emergency response for major disasters. HSEM is the state agency responsible for coordinating the planning for, responding to and recovery from major natural and manmade disaster. HSEM is part of the New Hampshire Department of Safety and is the state-level equivalent of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Emergencies occur every day and the vast majority of them are handled at the local level by police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and volunteer groups. The Bureau of Emergency Management (BEM) only becomes involved in major disasters where state resources are needed or where the size or duration of the disaster requires a coordinated state response. Emergency Operations Center An EOC is the physical location at which the coordination of information and resources to support domestic incident management activities normally takes place. An EOC may be a temporary facility or may be located in a more central or permanently established facility, perhaps at a higher level of organization within a jurisdiction. EOCs may be organized by major functional disciplines (e.g., fire, law enforcement, and medical services), by jurisdiction (e.g., Federal, State, regional, county, city, tribal), or some combination thereof. HSEM is headquartered at the Incident Planning and Operations Center on the grounds of the State Fire Academy, and houses the state Emergency Operations Center. Local Emergency Operations Centers direct and manage emergencies and disasters on a local level. Emergency Operations Plans The New Hampshire Emergency Operations Plan, as well as local Emergency Operations Plans address various emergency management functions, coordination and 26

27 responsibilities. Emergency Operation Plans (EOPs) are developed to comply with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as developed by the Department of Homeland Security. All municipalities in New Hampshire, in addition to the State itself, are required to have in effect a NIMS compliant EOP, if written after October EOPs identify local municipal departmental responsibilities in the event of an emergency, highlight community resources and shelters, establish chain of command, and response plans. Most incidents are managed locally, and the local or tribal EOP is the guide to how the local response to an incident will be handled. Emergency Communications Emergency Alert System An Emergency Alert System (EAS) is designed to allow government authorities to notify the public of impending emergencies via voluntary cooperation of the broadcast media. The federal government requires broadcast stations to carry announcements by the president during times of national emergency, but all other EAS functions are voluntary, carried out as part of the industry s public service effects. In New Hampshire, the EAS is operated by the State Emergency Communications Committee, which is made up of representatives of the broadcast industry and public safety agencies, including the New Hampshire Bureau of Emergency Management (BEM). The committee is chaired by veteran New Hampshire broadcaster Ed Brouder. The system has three origination points: BEM Communications, New Hampshire State Police Communications and the National Weather Service Office in Gray, Maine. All three origination points transmit test messages, but the National Weather Service is the most frequent user of the system for actual alerts. From the origination points, the EAS signal is carried via microwave to Mt. Washington, the Veterans Administration Hospital in Manchester, Mt. Kearsarge in Merrimack Country and Highland Hill in Cheshire County. From the microwave relays, the signal is carried to seven primary stations: WHOM in Portland, Maine; WOKQ in Dover, WMUR-TV in Manchester, WGIR-FM in Manchester, WKNE-FM in Keene, WHDQ-FM in Claremont and WLNH-FM in Laconia. Other stations and cable TV systems monitor one of the primary stations and rebroadcast the signal from it. In all, five TV stations and 84 radio stations, and all of the state s cable TV franchises, will broadcast a statewide message. In addition to the State s EAS, each community has its own system of alerting residents of imminent or actual emergencies. These procedures are outlined in local EOPs. 27

28 Authorized Stations As listed above the radio stations that are alerted through the state EAS are: WHOM in Portland, Maine; WOKQ in Dover, WGIR-FM in Manchester, WKNE-FM in Keene, WHDQ-FM in Claremont and WLNH-FM in Laconia. Radio station frequencies are: WHOM 94.9 FM WOKQ 97.5 FM WGIR-FM FM WKNE-FM FM WHDQ-FM FM WLNH-FM 98.3 FM The cable TV EAS station is WMUR-TV in Manchester, channel 9. Community Notification Systems Community Notification Systems give communities the ability to alert residents by phone or of emergency situations or natural disasters. These types of communication systems provide Emergency Management and responders the ability to spread a voice or text message rapidly to the community, alerting them to what the situation is and where they can obtain more information. The following towns in the Southern New Hampshire Region have community notification systems in place: Derry Reverse 911 Goffstown Nixle Mutual Aid There are 5 Fire mutual aid districts which encompass communities in the Southern New Hampshire region. Those districts are as follows; with each participating municipality listed (many municipalities are part of more than one): Fire Mutual Aid Districts Interstate Auburn Candia Chester Deerfield Derry Londonderry Raymond Souhegan Bedford Goffstown New Boston Weare 28

29 Border Area Auburn Bedford Candia Chester Derry Goffstown Hooksett Londonderry Manchester Kearsarge Weare Southern New Hampshire Manchester Weare Capital Area Hooksett Deerfield Police Mutual Aid Districts The Southern New Hampshire communities are a part of the following Police Mutual Aid Districts: Hillsborough Countywide Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Goffstown Weare Hazardous Materials Mutual Aid Districts For Hazardous Materials, the Southern New Hampshire communities are a part of the following mutual aid districts: SouthEastern New Hampshire Hazardous Materials Mutual Aid District (SENHHMMAD) Auburn Candia Chester Derry Hooksett Londonderry 20

30 Central New Hampshire Hazardous Materials Response Team (CNHHMRT) Hooksett Seacoast Technical Assistance Response Team (START) Raymond Souhegan Mutual Aid Response Team (SMART) Goffstown Weare New Boston Bedford Public Works Mutual Aid Districts New Hampshire Public Works Mutual Aid Goffstown Manchester Weare Community Resources Volunteer and Non-profit organizations that serve as resources in times of emergency and disaster in the Southern New Hampshire Region include: the Greater Manchester American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Veteran s Administration, as well as a number of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT): Goffstown CERT Raymond CERT Weare CERT Derry CERT ALERT (Londonderry) New Boston CERT 21

31 Emergency Preparedness Cycle Preparedness Mitigation Response Recovery PREPAREDNESS Developing and Maintaining an Emergency Plan Public Education and Outreach Actions taken before an emergency or disaster to enhance response capabilities or to lessen the effects of the disaster. Identifying communications/notification systems Identifying potential evacuation routes and shelter locations Identifying sites suitable for use as Incident Command Posts/Staging Areas/etc Identifying Sheltering Locations Developing a Resource Directory Pre-stage/obtain emergency supplies Generators, Radios, Blankets, First Aid Kits, Water and food, Batteries, etc. Actions to take: ex: turn off gas, close windows, unlock doors List of emergency kit items to have on-hand List of other items to keep available (Generator, Water Pump, etc.) Coordination with other communities/groups/agencies (American Red Cross, SDG&E, Sheriff, Fire, etc.) RESPONSE CERT Actions taken immediately after the disaster to rescue people and pets, protect property, evacuate at risk populations, provide care and shelter facilities, etc. These actions are intended to minimize secondary damage and protect life and property. Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) are a valuable tool in response activities. Members are trained in First Aid/CPR, Fire Safety and Light Search and Rescue. RECOVERY Short Term Recovery Actions taken to return the community to normal. Recovery activities typically begin while the response is still in progress and continue long after the response phase has ended. Restoration of essential services: Gas, Electric, Telephone 22

32 Issues Long Term Recovery Issues Redevelopment loans Legal Assistance Rebuilding Fundraising Crisis Counseling MITIGATION Mitigation Actions Actions taken to permanently reduce the potential of a disaster or emergency occurring. Zoning Regulations Brush clearance Encouragement of residents to follow existing ordinances and regulations Bracing/bolting/replacing 23

33 Law Enforcement in Times of Disaster and Evacuation Overview The Primary agency responsible for Law Enforcement on the state level is the Department of Safety, The State's assistance in this function shall include police actions to minimize the adverse impact upon a disaster area. The aid may include manpower, equipment and/or technical expertise; and in cooperation with local authorities, designed to assure the continuity of law enforcement. The activities of Law Enforcement and Security will generally commence once primary jurisdictions have exceeded their law enforcement capabilities and have requested assistance (NH Dept of Safety. New Hampshire Emergency Operations Plan. March 2005). Shelters Please see Appendix B for a list and a map of the emergency shelters in the Southern New Hampshire region. Water Resources See Appendix B, map 2 for water resources in the Southern New Hampshire Region Animal Services In times of emergency or disaster, animal services are an important consideration. An active Regional New Hampshire Disaster Animal Response Team (NHDART) has been formed in Rochester and another one is being developed in the Southern New Hampshire Region based out of Hudson. The Southern New Hampshire Disaster Animal Response Team (SNH-DART) serves the Southern New Hampshire region in times of emergency and disaster. Animal Services are also available through the Manchester Animal Shelter, the New Hampshire SPCA and the New Hampshire Humane Society in times of disaster and emergency. Contact Information Emergency Services and Law enforcement contact information for the Southern New Hampshire region is provided in the following table. 24

34 Table 1 Southern New Hampshire Region Emergency Services Contact Information Town Police Fire Emergency Management Medical Ambulance Animal Services Other Auburn Auburn Police Dept 55 Eaton Hill Rd Auburn, NH Auburn Fire Dept 6 Pingree Hill Road Auburn, NH Chief Bruce Phillips, EMD Auburn Fire Dept 6 Pingree Hill Road Auburn, NH Use Manchester/Derry Derry Fire Department Use Manchester/Raymond N/A Bedford Bedford Police Dept 55 Constitution Dr Bedford, NH Bedford Fire Dept 55 Constitution Dr, Bedford, NH Fire Chief Scott Wiggin, EMD, Police Chief David Bailey, Co-EMD 55 Constitution Dr, Bedford, NH Use Manchester/Nashua Bedford Fire Department Animal Rescue League of NH 545 NH 101, Bedford, NH N/A Candia Candia Police Dept 74 High St Candia, NH Candia Fire Dept 11 Deerfield Rd Candia, NH Bob Panit, EMD Candia Emergency Department Town Hall 74 High Street Candia, NH Use Manchester/Derry Rockingham Regional Ambulance Use Raymond N/A Chester Chester Police Dept 84 Chester St Chester, NH or Chester Fire Dept 27 Murphy Rd Chester, NH Stephen Tunberg, EMD Use Derry/Manchester Derry Fire Department Use Raymond N/A 25

35 Deerfield Deerfield Police Dept 8 Raymond Rd Deerfield, NH or Deerfield Fire Dept P.O. Box 90 4A Old Center Rd S Deerfield, NH Jim Cannon, EMD Emergency Mgmt Town Office 8 Raymond Rd Deerfield, NH Use Manchester Raymond Ambulance Use Raymond N/A Derry Derry Police Dept 1 Municipal Dr Derry, NH Derry Fire Dept 14 Manning St Derry, NH Chief George Klauber, EMD Derry Bureau of Emergency Mgmt 14 Manning St Derry, NH Parkland Medical CenterOne Parkland Drive, Derry, NH Hampstead Hospital 218 E Rd, Hampstead, NH Derry Fire Department Handel With Care Veterinary 33 Crystal Ave, Derry, NH Center for Life Mgmt: Emergency Services 10 Tsienneto Rd, Derry, NH Derry CERT Goffstown Goffstown Police Dept 326 Mast Rd Goffstown, NH Goffstown Fire Dept 18 Church St Goffstown, NH Chief Patrick Sullivan, EMD Goffstown Police Dept 326 Mast Rd Goffstown, NH Use Manchester/ Concord Goffstown Fire Department Goffstown Animal Hospital 3 Roosevelt St, Manchester, NH Glen Lake Animal Hospital 15 Elm St, Goffstown, NH Susan Jutras CERT Director 326 Mast Rd Goffstown, NH Hooksett Hooksett Police Dept 15 Legends Dr Hooksett, NH Hooksett Fire Dept 15 Legends Dr Hooksett, NH or Dan Pike, EMD Office of Emergency Mgmt 15 Legends Dr Hooksett, NH Use Manchester Hooksett Fire Department and Tri-Town Ambulance Services Northside Animal Hospital 574 Arah St, Hooksett, NH N/A 26

36 Londonderry Londonderry Police Dept 268 Mammoth Rd 2 Londonderry, NH Londonderry Fire Dept 268 Mammoth Rd Londonderry, NH Chief Kevin McCaffrie, EMD Londonderry Emergency Management Council 24 Otterson Rd Londonderry, NH Use Manchester/Derry Londonderry Fire Department Use Derry/Manchester ALERT P.O. Box 253 Londonderry, NH Manchester Manchester City Police 351 Chestnut St Manchester, NH Manchester Fire Dept, 100 Merrimack St Manchester, NH Chief James Burkush, EMD Manchester Fire Dept 100 Merrimack St Manchester, NH Elliot Hospital One Elliot Way, Manchester, NH Catholic Medical Center 100 McGregor St, Manchester, NH Rockingham Regional Ambulance31 Auburn St, Manchester, NH Veterinary Emergency Center of Manchester55 Carl Dr, Manchester, NH Lockridge Animal Hospital1153 Hanover St, Manchester, NH South Willow Animal Hospital575 S Willow St Ff2, Manchester, NH Manchester Animal Hospital1129 Hooksett Rd, Hooksett, NH Veterans Affairs Medical Center718 Smyth Road Manchester, NH American Red Cross 425 Reservoir Ave, Manchester, NH Salvation Army 121 Cedar St, Manchester, NH

37 New Boston New Boston Police Dept 116 Old Coach Rd New Boston, NH New Boston Fire Dept 4 Meetinghouse Hill Rd New Boston, NH Dan Macdonald, EMD P O Box 250 New Boston, NH X 511 Use Manchester / Nashua / Concord New Boston Fire Department Use Weare/Goffstown N/A Raymond Raymond Police Dept 1 Scribner Rd Raymond, NH Raymond Fire Dept 1 Scribner Rd Raymond, NH Chief Kevin Pratt Raymond Fire Dept 1 Scribner Rd Raymond, NH Use Derry/Manchester Raymond Ambulance Inc. 1 Scribner Rd, Raymond, NH Rockingham Regional Ambulance 101 N Rd, Brentwood, NH Raymond Animal Hospital 169 Route 27, Raymond, NH Raymond Emergency Management CERT Weare Weare Police Dept 144 North Stark Hwy Weare, NH Weare Fire Dept 144 North Stark Hwy Weare, NH Paul King, EMD (603) Use Manchester / Concord Weare Fire Department Weare Animal Hospital 91 N Stark Hwy, Weare, NH Weare CERT