READY America – great resource for emergency preparedness for individuals, families, businesses and pets. Multi-lingual resources available.
FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency supports our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
(DHHS) Department of Health and Human Services is the United States government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. DHHS has compiled a Compendium of Emergency Web Resources intended to provide a comprehensive list of internet sites of use for emergency planning and in particular Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and medical emergency planning.
MEMA Massachusetts Emergency Planning Agency is the state agency with primary responsibility for ensuring the states resilience to disasters.
√STATEOTHER RESOURCES
Mass 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community. It serves as a resource for finding government benefits and services, nonprofit organizations, support groups, volunteer opportunities, donation programs, and other local resources. Mass 2-1-1- maintains the integrity of the 9-1-1 system saving that vital community resource for life and death emergencies. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mass 2-1-1 responds immediately during times of crisis, to field calls regarding the crisis and to direct callers to services most appropriate for their needs. Counselors are multi-lingual/multi-cultural.
IRAA-Individuals Requiring Additional Assistance – School Emergency Preparedness
Public health and community based organizations are frequently involved with schools in an “all-hazards” approach to emergency preparedness. Nationally and regionally, significant progress has been made with emergency preparedness in the wake of tragic events such as the shootings at Columbine High School, school bus accidents and other man-made or natural disasters. Yet, while many schools have readiness plans, the resources to address vulnerabilities vary widely among communities for faculty/staff and students requiring additional assistance.
These Western Massachusetts Regional Planning organizations provide information and assistance to their residential/ business neighbors.
