5607-R1_LGP_MechanicFalls_2016-17_AnualReport_Web

ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17 ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

Emergency Management This year we have been lucky in comparison to other towns in the county and state who received damage due to natural disasters. I believe this is partly luck and partly due to preparedness from town departments. Public works repairing old culverts and ensuring ditches are deep enough to handle run off, coupled with the Police and Fire Departments’ assistance with notifying citizens well in advance of emergencies helps relieve residents from damage. The town has received federal grants to be used for communication equipment for the Police and Fire Departments which has greatly helped out. The town is updating its Hazard-mitigation plan this year with help from county EMA. This plan identifies problem areas in town which keeps us qualified for grants to help out from the federal government. As town EMA director, I would like to thank you all for being prepared in the event that we are hit with a big storm, whatever its cause. Please remember to have at least 72 hours (3days) of supplies, including medications, in an emergency kit, emergency contacts, and a place to go for shelter. If you’ve got pets, have the same provisions for them, plus a travel cage for transportation. It sounds like a lot, I know, but it really isn’t and be prepared will make your life easier in times of struggle. Thanks to all for being ready. Fred C. Sturtevant III EMA director Fire Department Hi from the Fire Department, hope all is well for all of you with warm weather here now, since I’m writing this in Feb. This year’s budget increased slightly due to the increases in the minimum wage by law and for the cost of County Automated Response Software. The EMS/Fire Crews and I try to keep costs down as we really appreciate the support you give us. Please don’t be afraid to stop by let us show you around. Like all Fire Departments in the state, we have a problem keeping firefighters. It seems we just get them trained and they either relocate, a new job comes along, or the qualifications to remain employed by the department become too much with busy family life. We manage with assistance from nearby towns, this is why you may see other towns at Mechanic Falls emergencies and vice versa. The vehicles are being maintained well, the new pickup is a great asset with 4wheel drive, and the replacement rescue vehicle should be on the road by the time you read this. We down sized the rescue vehicle as it was time for it to be replaced and we do not transport patients, this allowed us to spend less. We feel the replacement should work out well for the department and town. Just a reminder to make sure your address is visible from the road, both night and day, so we are able find your house quickly in an emergency. Use whatever you like for numbering, as long as it can be seen. We are thankful for your support, as well as the support we get from the other departments in town, which makes our job easier to manage. Take care and be safe. Fred C. Sturtevant III Fire Chief

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