Elephant Hill Fire Tribute 
Coldstream Helicopters - August 17, 2017
From clouds of smoke, to raging flames, to personal shots of firefighters on their down time, the video has really touched a nerve with those affected by the B.C. wildfires.

RESOURCES

• Elephant Hill Fire (K20637)
• ​MassDCR Twitter 
• MassDCR Instagram 
• MassDCR YouTube  
• MassDCR Flickr 
• MassDCR website 
• MassDCR Chief Fire Warden, David Celino Twitter​
• Northeastern Interagency Coordination Center
• CANADA/UNITED STATES RECIPROCAL FOREST FIRE FIGHTING ARRANGEMENT OPERATING PLAN 2017   
• ​British Columbia Government  British Columbia Government News Twitter 
• British Columbia Wildfire Service Twitter
• Emergency Info BC Twitter
• Prepared BC Twitter
• Drive BC Twitter

​

DEPLOYMENT LOCATION
Elephant Hill Fire (K20637), British Columbia, Canada
(approximate: 50.7014 -121.3001 longitude)

Friday - August 18, 2017 
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Out of State Wildland Fire Mobilization Briefing

FINAL DAY ON THE FIRE!
 
Massachusetts Wildfire Crew - MA#1 - Wildfire Hand Crew 
20 Person Hand Crew: 14 DCR, 2 DFW, 4 New Hampshire (NHS)
Crew Boss: Alan Smith, NHS (State) | Roy Liard, MAS-DCR (Crew BossTrainee)

Assignment:  NE Compact Assistance to BC Canada 
Location:  ELEPHANT HILL FIRE
Size:  168,092 hectares | 415,364 acres (estimated)
Containment:  30% (estimated)
Total Personnel :  592 Firefighters, 92 Support Staff, 16 Helicopters, 135 Pieces of Heavy Equipment   

Weather: Mainly sunny, widespread smoke, 70°F, 35% Relative Humidity with NW 5-15 mi/h winds.  Still under moderate smoke conditions.

Incident Information: Fire was discovered on July 6th. There has been little growth of this fire since the rain a few days ago. Crews continue to work on the north flank, which is the head of the fire, building hand and machine control lines. Air support has been used in the form of tanker, skimmer and helicopter support to strengthen the control lines on the north and east flanks. Portions of the fire on the east flank were active but stayed within the control lines. A burn out operation occurred in Division B yesterday. Evacuations remain in effect in many areas of the fire. 

Crew Information, Last Day: MAS#1 with NH firefighters continue to work with crews from Australia, New Zealand and BC to keep the fire in check along their Division B perimeter to protect Clinton under active fire behavior conditions. The crew played a critical role in a major burn out operation on the west flank of Division B yesterday to secure that section of perimeter. They will spend their final day on the fire back on Division B patrolling and mopping up residual heat along the perimeter. The crew will be debriefed tomorrow and prepare to fly to Quebec City on Sunday or Monday, and then return to Hopkinton State Park by bus. The Crew Boss reports excellent work by all the crew members and continued favorable reviews by BC Fire managers. Special mention to Roy Liard, DCR District 7 Fire Warden, John Hallinan, DCR District 6 Patrolman, and Alan Smith, New Hampshire State for their excellent leadership.  

The crew was mobilized on 8-3-17 and mustered at Hopkinton State Park Headquarters where gear was checked, weighed and prepared for transportation to Quebec City, Canada.  The Mobilization is facilitated through the Northeast Forest Fire Compact, of which Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Quebec have been strong participating member for over 60 years.  

Current Fire Situation:  There are over 124 large fires burning within the interior portion of BC totaling over 1 million acres.  Fire activity continues to be driven by extremely dry fuel conditions resulting from little to no precipitation over the last few months combined with abnormally high temperatures. Little to no precipitation is expected over the next 2 weeks.

Tuesday - August 15, 2017
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Out of State Wildland Fire Mobilization Briefing

There is currently 1 mobilization ongoing from Massachusetts to British Columbia, Canada.
 
Massachusetts Wildfire Crew - MA#1 - Wildfire Hand Crew 
20 Person Hand Crew: 14 DCR, 2 DFW, 4 New Hampshire (NHS)
Crew Boss: Alan Smith, NHS (State) | Roy Liard, MAS-DCR (Crew BossTrainee)

Assignment:  NE Compact Assistance to BC Canada 
Location:  ELEPHANT HILL FIRE
Size:  163,221 hectares | 403,327 acres (estimated)
Containment:  30% (estimated)
Total Personnel :  613 Firefighters, 92 Support Staff, 23 Helicopters, 135 Pieces of Heavy Equipment   

Weather: Mainly sunny, widespread smoke, 70°F, 35% Relative Humidity with NW 5-15 mi/h winds. Still under moderate smoke conditions

Incident Information: Fire was discovered on July 6th. Fire fighters, heavy equipment, helicopters, and water bomber air tankers continue their efforts focusing on homes and infrastructure. A number of communities remain threatened.  Over 700 personnel including night shifts are working to ensure firefighter safety, ensuring public safety and protecting homes. 

Crew Information:  International Effort: MAS#1 with NH firefighters continue to work with crews from Australia, New Zealand and BC to keep the fire in check along their Division Dozer line perimeter under very active fire behavior conditions.  The crew has been focused on securing fire lines south of Clinton and keeping the fire out of the village.  Daily objectives have been mopping up hot spots, setting up hose line and burning out areas of unburned fuels along containment lines.  They’ve had great reviews from our BC friends, who remarked on how “organized and disciplined the U.S. crew is”.  Fire camp has grown to almost 500. Crew boss reports the crew remains energized even though the common camp cold is starting to show in many of the crews brought on by cooler night times temps and the dry conditions.  MAS#1 will spend their last day on the fire on Friday the 18th and preparing to fly home on Sunday or Monday.  

The crew was mobilized on 8-3-17 and mustered at Hopkinton State Park Headquarters where gear was checked, weighed and prepared for transportation to Quebec City, Canada.  The Mobilization is facilitated through the Northeast Forest Fire Compact, of which Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Quebec have been strong participating member for over 60 years.  

Current Fire Situation:  There are over 130 large fire burning within the interior portion of BC totaling over 1 million acres.  Fire activity is being driven by extremely dry fuel conditions resulting from little to no precipitation over the last few months combined with abnormally high temperatures reaching the upper 90’s this past week.  Little to no precipitation is expected over the next 2 weeks.  

Thursday - August 10, 2017
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Out of State Wildland Fire Mobilization Briefing

There is currently 1 mobilization ongoing from Massachusetts to British Columbia, Canada.
 
Massachusetts Wildfire Crew - MA#1 - Wildfire Hand Crew 
20 Person Hand Crew: 14 DCR, 2 DFW, 4 New Hampshire (NHS)
Crew Boss: Alan Smith, NHS (State) | Roy Liard, MAS-DCR (Crew BossTrainee)

Assignment:  NE Compact Assistance to BC Canada 
Location:  ELEPHANT HILL FIRE
Size:  117,170 hectares | 292,925 acres (estimated)
Containment:  30% (estimated)
Total Personnel :  580 Firefighters, 92 Support Staff, 26 Helicopters, 105 Pieces of Heavy Equipment   

Weather: Sunny, widespread smoke, 86°F, 15% Relative Humidity with NW 6 mi/h winds.  **Fire Managers are concerned for a predicted wind event on Friday.

Incident Information: Fire was discovered on July 6th. Fire fighters, heavy equipment, helicopters, and water bomber air tankers continue their efforts focusing on homes and infrastructure. Unpredictable winds and extremely dry conditions are creating some volatile fire behavior and challenging firefighting efforts. A number of communities remain threatened.  Over 600 personnel including night shifts are working to ensure firefighter safety, ensuring public safety and protecting homes and infrastructure. 

Crew Information: International Effort: MAS#1 with NH firefighters combined efforts yesterday with crews from Australia, New Zealand and Ottawa to keep the fire in check along their Division Dozer line perimeter under very active fire behavior conditions.  Crew leadership reports that all four countries worked very well together to keep the fire in check and from threatening the village of Clinton.   By all accounts, overhead staff is happy with their work, especially bringing burnout experience to the assignment. 

The crew was mobilized on 8-3-17 and mustered at Hopkinton State Park Headquarters where gear was checked, weighed and prepared for transportation to Quebec City, Canada.  The Mobilization is facilitated through the Northeast Forest Fire Compact, of which Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Quebec have been strong participating member for over 60 years.  

Current Fire Situation:  There are over 126 large fire burning within the interior portion of BC totaling over 1 million acres.  Fire activity is being driven by extremely dry fuel conditions resulting from little to no precipitation over the last few months combined with abnormally high temperatures reaching the upper 90’s this past week.  Little to no precipitation is expected over the next two weeks. 

Tuesday - August 8, 2017
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Out of State Wildland Fire Mobilization Briefing

There is currently 1 mobilization ongoing from Massachusetts to British Columbia, Canada.
 
Massachusetts Wildfire Crew - MA#1 - Wildfire Hand Crew 
20 Person Hand Crew: 14 DCR, 2 DFW, 4 New Hampshire (NHS)
Crew Boss: Alan Smith, NHS (State) | Roy Liard, MAS-DCR (Crew BossTrainee)

Assignment:  NE Compact Assistance to BC Canada 
Location:  ELEPHANT HILL FIRE
Size:  117,170 hectares | 292,925 acres (estimated)
Containment:  30% (estimated)
Total Personnel :  580 Firefighters, 92 Support Staff, 22 Helicopters, 105 Pieces of Heavy Equipment   

Weather: Sunny, widespread smoke, 86°F, 15% Relative Humidity with NW 6 mi/h winds. There’s so much smoke, the sun never comes out. 

Incident Information:  Fire was discovered on July 6th. Firefighters, heavy equipment, helicopters, and water bomber air tankers continue their efforts focusing on homes and infrastructure. Unpredictable winds and extremely dry conditions are creating some volatile fire behavior and challenging firefighting efforts. Numerous homes are threatened within the area and evacuations are in effect. Over 600 personnel including night shifts are working to ensure firefighter safety, ensuring public safety and protecting homes and infrastructure. 

Crew Information:  MAS#1 is working on a Division outside of Clinton, securing control lines with hose lines and burnout operations. The crew left the 99Mile Fire Camp and moved to Clinton’s Fire Camp. The village is still evacuated and the only store open in town is the Shell gas station. The crew has done well working into a system with some differences to operations typically found on U.S. Federal assignments. By all accounts, overhead staff is happy with their work, especially bringing burnout experience to the assignment. 

The crew was mobilized on 8-3-17 and mustered at Hopkinton State Park Headquarters where gear was checked, weighed and prepared for transportation to Quebec City, Canada. The Mobilization is facilitated through the Northeast Forest Fire Compact, of which Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Quebec have been strong participating member for over 60 years.  

Current Fire Situation:  There are over 110 large fire burning within the interior portion of BC totaling over 1 million acres. Fire activity is being driven by extremely dry fuel conditions resulting from little to no precipitation over the last few months combined with abnormally high temperatures reaching the upper 90’s this past week. Little to no precipitation is expected over the next 2 weeks.  

Sunday - August 6, 2017
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Out of State Wildland Fire Mobilization Briefing

There is currently 1 mobilization ongoing from Massachusetts to British Columbia, Canada.
 
Massachusetts Wildfire Crew - MA#1 - Wildfire Hand Crew 
20 Person Hand Crew: 14 DCR, 2 DFW, 4 New Hampshire (NHS)
Crew Boss: Alan Smith, NHS (State) | Roy Liard, MAS-DCR (Crew BossTrainee)

Assignment:  NE Compact Assistance to BC Canada 
Location:  ELEPHANT HILL FIRE
Size:  110,236.0 hectares | 272,399 acres (estimated)
Containment:  30% (estimated)
Total Personnel :  600   
Incident Information:  Fire was discovered on July 6th. Firefighters, heavy equipment, helicopters, and water bomber air tankers continue their efforts focusing on homes and infrastructure. Unpredictable winds and extremely dry conditions are creating some volatile fire behavior and challenging firefighting efforts. The fire perimeter to the north has crossed the Bonaparte River. Guard lines (fire lines) have been constructed along the north flank and controlled burns took place Friday afternoon.  Numerous homes are threatened within the area and evacuations are in effect. Over 600 personnel including night shifts are working to ensure firefighter safety, ensuring public safety and protecting homes and infrastructure.

Crew Information:  MAS#1 went through a mandatory provincial briefing on fire operations on Saturday and were assigned to the Elephant Hill Fire and the 99 Mile Fire Camp.  The crew is set up in camp and working on the fire today, assigned to the North Branch of the fire plumbing in water systems, securing dozer lines, and preparing for potential burn out operations. 

The crew was mobilized on 8-3-17 and mustered at Hopkinton State Park Headquarters where gear was checked, weighed and prepared for transportation to Quebec City, Canada.  The Mobilization is facilitated through the Northeast Forest Fire Compact, of which Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Quebec have been strong participating member for over 60 years.  
Current Fire Situation:  There are over 110 large fire burning within the interior portion of BC totaling over 1 million acres.  Fire activity is being driven by extremely dry fuel conditions resulting from little to no precipitation over the last few months combined with abnormally high temperatures reaching the upper 90’s this past week.  Little to no precipitation is expected over the next 2 weeks.   

Current Fire Situation:  There are over 110 large fire burning within the interior portion of BC totaling over 1 million acres.  Fire activity is being driven by extremely dry fuel conditions resulting from little to no precipitation over the last few months combined with abnormally high temperatures reaching the upper 90’s this past week.  Little to no precipitation is expected over the next 2 weeks.  

Friday - August 4, 2017
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Out of State Wildland Fire Mobilization Briefing

There is currently 1 mobilization ongoing from Massachusetts to British Columbia, Canada.
 
Massachusetts Wildfire Crew - MA#1 - Wildfire Hand Crew 
20 Person Hand Crew: 14 DCR, 2 DFW, 4 New Hampshire (NHS)
Crew Boss: Alan Smith, NHS (State) | Roy Liard, MAS-DCR (Crew BossTrainee)

Assignment:  NE Compact Assistance to BC Canada 
Location:  Interior BC (No specific Fire Assigned yet)
Size:
Containment:
Total Personnel :    
Incident Information:

The MAS#1 Crew was mobilized on 8-3-17 and mustered at Hopkinton State Park Headquarters where gear was checked, weighed and prepared for transportation to Quebec City, Canada. Crew loaded a bus at 0900. First stop was New Hampshire to pick up 4 NHS firefighters, including the qualified crew boss to make up a full 20 person handcrew (standard size). Crew successfully crossed the border with no issues and arrived in Quebec, where they have linked up with the Quebec SOPFEU Forest Fire Agency. They will link up with 2 Quebec Wildfire Hand Crews for the final flight to British Columbia this morning. A Quebec Liaison will be assigned to MAS#1 for the duration of the assignment.

Destination is Prince George, where there is a large fire camp to support crews.  They will be embedded and in briefed on the British Columbia fire system and the fire issues facing then over the next 14 days.

The Mobilization is facilitated through the Northeast Forest Fire Compact, of which Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Quebec have been strong participating member for over 60 years.  

Current Situation:  There are over 110 large fire burning within the interior portion of BC totaling over 1 million acres.  Resources from Mexico have also been tapped through an international agreement.  Fire activity is being driven by extremely dry fuel conditions resulting from little to no precipitation over the last few months combined with abnormally high temperatures reaching the upper 90’s this past week.  Little to no precipitation is expected over the next 2 weeks.

Thursday - August 3, 2017 
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Department of Conservation and Recreation

Governor Charles D. Baker 
Lt. Governor Karyn E. Polito
Secretary Mathew Beaton
DCR Commissioner Leo Roy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2, 2017

CONTACT:  Mark Steffen - 617-360-1715 or Mark.A.Steffen@state.ma.us
 
Massachusetts to Mobilize 16 Firefighters to Help Battle Canadian Wildland Fires
State Joins International Coalition of Wildland Firefighters
 
​BOSTON - Tomorrow, Thursday, August 3, 2017, the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Bureau of Forestry and Fire Control and Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will be mobilizing 16 state wildland firefighters from across Massachusetts to travel north and assist British Columbia Canadian forces with a series of wildland fire outbreaks. Media wishing to attend the mobilization should meet at Hopkinton State Park. Massachusetts' team of 16 will be traveling to New Hampshire to join four Granite State firefighters before continuing to Quebec City.
 
Across British Columbia, Canada, over 110 active wildland fires are burning over more than one million acres of land and forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. Massachusetts wildland firefighters will serve alongside an international community of firefighters, including from Mexico. The crew will actively engage in direct fire suppression to combat the out of control fires, by working on the fire line, building fire breaks, securing fire perimeters, containing fires, and protecting important structures. Due to the rural terrain and location of the fires, crews will sleep in tents or in remote fire camps.
 
The DCR and DFG firefighters who are assisting with the Canadian wildland fires, include: Robert Armstrong (DCR), Conway, MA; Thomas Benoit (DCR), Worcester, MA; Andrew Bond (DCR), Medfield, MA; Kenneth Canfield (DCR), Westminster, MA; Conor Clancy (DCR), Merrimac, MA; Christopher Connors (DFG), Stafford Springs, CT; Nathaniel Cowan (DCR), Orange, MA; Zachary Favreau (DCR), Orange, MA; Jonathan Hallinan (DCR), Ipswich, MA; Benjamin Jennell (DCR), West Newbury, MA; Brian Johnson (DCR), Ashburnham, MA; Roy Liard (DCR), Millville, MA; David Luongo (DCR), Sandwich, MA; Brian Mayer (DCR), Townsend, MA; Benjamin Mazzei (DFG), Pelham, MA; and, Joseph Nawrocki (DCR), New Salem, MA.
 
WHO: 16 DCR and DFG Firefighters
WHAT: Mobilization to combat British Colombia wildland fires
WHERE: Hopkinton State Park, 164 Cedar Street, Hopkinton, MA, 01748
WHEN: 9:00AM

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), an agency of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, oversees 450,000 acres of parks and forests, beaches, bike trails, watersheds, dams, and parkways. Led by Commissioner Leo Roy, the agency’s mission is to protect, promote, and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources. To learn more about DCR, our facilities, and our programs, please visit www.mass.gov/dcr. Contact us at mass.parks@state.ma.us.
 
Follow DCR on Twitter............................................... www.twitter.com/MassDCR
Follow DCR on Instagram.......................................... www.instagram.com/MassDCR
View videos on YouTube........................................... www.youtube.com/MassEEA
View downloadable photographs on Flickr……….www.flickr.com/photos/masseea/sets/
Visit the Energy Smarts blog..................................... www.mass.gov/blog/energy
Visit The Great Outdoors blog.................................... www.mass.gov/blog/environment
Visit our website........................................................ www.mass.gov/dcr
 
251 Causeway Street, Suite 600 - Boston, MA 02114 | (617) 626-1250 office | (617) 626-1351 fax

We will be monitoring Blarney Blowout through March 4th to illustrate the public safety response as a whole and the unnecessary strain it places on our Western Massachusetts resources. 

WARNING  LIVE BLOG MAY CONTAIN PROFANITY, NUDITY AND/OR GRAPHIC IMAGERY

STORIFY

VIDEO

MA-TF1 Vigilant Guard Vermont 2016 Overview

PRESS

• 7.31.16  Earthquake simulation during National Guard training - WPTZ.com
• 7.31.16  Massachusetts Task Force 1 (MATF1) USAR Vigilant Guard 2016 Image Gallery - Picasa
• 7.30.16  Windsor takes part in ‘largest ever’ statewide emergency exercise - Eagletimes.com
• 7.29.16  Search and Rescue - Dvidshub.net
• 7.29.16  State exercise simulates building collapse - Burlingtonfreepress.com
• 7.29.16  Double-disaster drill tests Vt. first responders - wcax.com
• 7.28.16  Plague Outbreak Simulation in Brattleboro, VT, Part of Vigilant Guard Exercise - mychamplainvalley.com
• 7.28.16  PHOTOS: Black Hawk lands at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital - Brattleboro Reformer
• 7.27.16  Northwest Mass Incident Management Team To Train In Disaster Response - Athol Daily News
• 7.27.16  Vermont Disaster Drill Features Bus Crash and Plague Outbreak - NECN.com
• 7.27.16  Disaster Drill Involves Simulated Infectious Disease Outbreak​ - VTDigger.org
• 7.26.16  Vigilant Guard Actors Wanted Friday In Wilmington - Vermont NPR News Source
• 7.25.16  Vigilant Guard Exercise Schedule - Vermont State Police
• 7.25.16  VT Responders Take Part in State's Largest Ever Emergency Exercise - EMSWorld.com
• 7.21.16  Vigilant Guard Disaster Exercise - Vermont Department of Public Safety 
• 7.13.16  Vigilant Guard Vermont Catastrophic Exercise - Vermont Department of Public Safety 

PHOTOS
​

July 29, 2016 - Urban Search and rescue teams gather for morning operations briefing | Photo NWMIMT
​

July 28, 2016 - "Yesterday we kicked off the first of many exercises as part of Vigilant Guard 2016." - Adjutant General, VNG

July 27, 2016 - NWMIMT Members with Urban Search and Rescue MATF-1 and FEMA Corps volunteers in the Incident Command Post during the 2015 Exercise | Photo NWMIMT

NWMIMT COML Dennis Nazzaro, with other coms professionals from FEMA, MEMA and National Guard | Photo NWMIMTenniwith other coms professionals from FE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

NWMIMT  Jericho 16 Communications Unit 

July 31, 2016 - During Jericho 16 Search and Rescue exercise, the NWMIMT communications unit has worked with the communications unit from FEMA Incident Support Team (IST), FEMA Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS), and VT National Guard JISCC to supply Radio Frequency (RF) communications to and from the field units, satellite phone to and from field units as well as telephone and internet to the incident command post. Through use of satellite dishes, we were able to supply data and telephone services to the incident command post to support email, GIS mapping, video and other communication systems. 

Wide area communications was supplied by two portable trailer towers, equipped with repeaters from FEMA. Field units were able to communicate with each other and with command through this radio network.

Command staff were provided with their own network for simplex communications around the ICP (Incident Command post) and 3 BOO’s (Base of Operations) 

The communications unit also had communications with base range control (military police) for real world injuries or events. 

This exercise was a great opportunity for the communications unit of NWMIMT to work with federal partners, and vice versa. 

NWMIMT would like to thank MEMA for their support during this event, with both personnel and equipment.

Dennis Nazzaro
NWMIMT
Communications Unit Leader

AGENCY FOLLOW

• Northwest Massachusetts Incident Management Team (NWMIMT)
• ​Massachusetts Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Team
• Vermont National Guard
• Canadian Armed Forces
• Western Mass Homeland Security Advisory Council
• ​Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
• US Environmental Protection Agency
• ​Federal Emergency Management Agency

EXERCISE MAP

Camp Ethan Allen - Jericho Vermont​

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
​

​
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

NWMIMT PARTICIPATES IN URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE

SHELBURNE, MA -  July 26, 2016 - The Northwest Massachusetts Incident Management Team (NWMIMT) will be working alongside the FEMA's Urban Search & Rescue Task Force MATF-1 from Beverly, MA. at Camp Ethan Allen in Jericho Vermont, for a 4 day full scale emergency response exercise called “Vigilant Guard 2016”. The scenario will include large-scale representations of disasters, which require public health and public safety responses. “The ability to communicate and work cooperatively to accomplish a large scale response is a critical and complex skill and the Team is looking forward to participating in this important training experience”, said Dennis Annear, NWMIMT Team Leader.
 
The Exercise will take place, between July 28th and 31st and will include Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams from Massachusetts, New York, Florida, Vermont and Canada. These teams will support local incident commanders in their efforts to mitigate the exercise’s multiple disaster scenarios.
 
The exercise tests the real time readiness and effectiveness of Urban Search and Rescue teams to work with local, regional, federal and international partners to respond to a disaster. Nineteen NWMIMT team members will work alongside Federal USAR Incident Support Team (IST) members to provide incident support for the civilian USAR Teams participating in this exercise. "We participate in these exercises so we're ready to respond when real catastrophic events occur," said Mark Foster, Program Manager of the MA Task Force 1 National Search and Rescue Response System.
 
The NWMIMT is supported by the Tri-state Fire Mutual Aid Association, the Western Mass Homeland Security Council and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

Throughout the exercise, team Public Information Officers will provide approved updates to FIREGROUND360°.

NWMIMT volunteers participating in the exercise, work for Public Safety Departments in Chesterfield, Greenfield, Lanesborough, Monson, New Salem, Northampton Shelburne and Shutesbury. Others, not connected with municipal departments are from Amherst, Deerfield, Leyden Northfield and Orange.

PHOTOS

PRESS RELEASE

NORTHWEST MASSACHUSETTS INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  

ANNOUNCEMENT:  NWMIMT PARTICIPATES IN MULTIPLE CASUALTY INCIDENT (MCI) TRAINING AND EXERCISE

First Responders from across Western Mass test the Franklin County MCI Plan

SHELBURNE March 24, 2016- The Northwest Massachusetts Incident Management Team (NWMIMT) will be working alongside first responders from over 35 agencies from across Western Massachusetts at a training and exercise on April 1 and 2 to learn about how to respond to an incident resulting in multiple casualties. This two part event includes a didactic portion on Friday April 1 at Greenfield Community College and an exercise at the East Deerfield railyard on April 2.

During the initial training on Friday evening from 6-9 in the Main Campus Building Cafeteria, participants will be instructed by Community911 Training, Inc. about the characteristics of a Mass Casualty event and how it is declared; the use of triage and how it is used, and the implementation strategies and protocols of the National Incident Management. Scene safety will be emphasized, with a focus on how to respond while taking into account the cause of the emergency and potential hazards that may be present.

The hands-on exercise on Saturday from 8-5 at the East Deerfield Rail Yard on McClelland Farm Road will include practical training at 6 different stations. Participants will perform triage of victims and receive feedback from instructors in a variety of physical settings. In the afternoon a drill will simulate an actual response, using the current Franklin County MCI response plan.

“Mass Casualty Exercises are important because they help train staff on our emergency response procedures and how to handle many casualties and fatalities,” said Dennis Annear, NWMIMT Team Leader. “This training has not been provided locally in many years and our ability to communicate and work cooperatively to respond quickly and effectively is a critical and complex skill that takes knowledge and practice. Recent terrorist bombings in France and Belgium underscore the importance and relevance of the training.”

The exercise is sponsored by the Franklin County Regional Emergency Planning Committee, with support from the Western Regional Homeland Security Advisory Council and PanAm Railways. NWMIMT is supported by the Tri-state Fire Mutual Aid Association, the Western Mass Homeland Security Council and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. NWMIMT is one of two Incident Management Teams credentialed to operate in Massachusetts.
The event is not open to the public.





​




Deputy Team Leader
Angus "Terry" Dun
(413) 834-4593
nwmimt@gmail.com

24LIVEBLOG

PHOTOS
October 1, 2015 | 10:30AM

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

NORTHWEST MASSACHUSETTS INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM
Angus "Terry" Dun
Public Information Officer
(413) 834-4593
nwmimt@gmail.com
@nwmimt
​
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NORTHWEST MASSACHUSETTS INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM PARTICIPATES IN URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE
Eleven Team Members Assist at National Level Exercise in Vermont

SHELBURNE, MA - SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 - The Northwest Massachusetts Incident Management Team (NWMIMT) will be working alongside the Massachusetts Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Team at Camp Ethan Allen in Jericho Vermont, for a 4 day exercise of a simulated tornado response. The exercise is designed to test real time readiness and effectiveness of Urban Search and Rescue teams, as they work with local, regional, federal and international partners to respond to a disaster. This is the eighth mobilization exercise for the Search and Rescue Team, but the first with participation from NWMIMT.

The Exercise will take place from Wednesday, September 30th until Saturday October 3rd. Over twenty different agencies and up to 180 responders will participate, including the Massachusetts Task Force 1 Search and Rescue Team from Beverly MA, the Vermont National Guard, a search and rescue team from the Canadian Armed Forces, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the US Environmental Protection Agency. Vermont participants will include local search and rescue team members and the University of Vermont.

“The ability to communicate and work cooperatively to accomplish a search and rescue mission involves critical and complex skills and the Team is looking forward to participating in this national level training experience”, said Dennis Annear, NWMIMT Team Leader. Eleven team members will provide support to the Search and Rescue Teams for incident command, safety, logistics and public information.

The Team is supported by the Tri-State Fire Mutual Aid Association, the Western Mass Homeland Security Advisory Council and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. NWMIMT is one of two Incident Management Teams accredited to operate in Massachusetts.

Throughout the exercise, the team Public Information Officers will provide updates as approved by the Exercise Incident Commander to FIREGROUND360°.

AGENCY FOLLOW

• Northwest Massachusetts Incident Management Team (NWMIMT)
• ​Massachusetts Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Team
• Vermont National Guard
• Canadian Armed Forces
• Western Mass Homeland Security Advisory Council
• ​Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
• US Environmental Protection Agency
• ​Federal Emergency Management Agency

EXERCISE MAP

Camp Ethan Allen - Jericho Vermont​

FIREGROUND360° - We will be monitoring Blarney Blowout through March 8th to illustrate the public safety response as a whole and the unnecessary strain it places on our Western Massachusetts resources. 

To all public safety, we stand with you. Please be safe.  

WARNING  LIVE BLOG MAY CONTAIN PROFANITY, NUDITY AND/OR GRAPHIC IMAGERY

February 19, 2015 | 7:38AM
NWMIMT Field Update
Terry Dun, Deputy Team Leader

SSA Bedford, MA - Day 9, Operational period 11

It is about this time in a deployment that we realize how many people it takes to staff a 24 hour -14 day deployment and maintain an eleven person staffing level.  To date we have activated 22 different individuals from 14 different communities or agencies (we still have 6 more days to go!). Without their support, none of this could be accomplished.

So it is time to recognize and thank the following towns and agencies for their support. Your support is making our deployment possible:

Agencies - Franklin Regional Council of Governments, Hampshire Public Health Preparedness Coalition, Mass Department of Conservation and Recreation's Bureau of Fire Control and Rangers, Mass Department of Public Health, Mass State Police Shelburne Control Dispatch.

Communities - Charlemont Fire, Greenfield Fire, Lanesboro Fire, New Salem Fire, Northampton Fire, Orange Fire, Shelburne Fire, Shutesbury Fire, and Wendell Fire.

Again thanks to all for your support.

Terry Dun, Deputy Team Leader
Northwest Mass. Incident Management Team

February 18, 2015 | 8:58AM
NWMIMT Field Update
Terry Dun, Deputy Team Leader

Good Morning from SSA Bedford, MA - Day 8, Operational period 10.

Since we have now reached the halfway point of our deployment, we want to take this time to express our appreciations to FIREGROUND360°.  The support Rick and Paula have provided us has been fabulous.

As a team, we are amazed at the number of views on Live Blog, Twitter and Facebook pages during our deployment.  Here are some of the stats that have been sent to us:

• 1543+ individual people are following the Live Blog
  
• 10046+ Live Blog views as of February 24th
  
• 1727+ individual people have viewed/read NWMIMT DEPLOYMENT | SSA BEDFORD LIVE BLOG via Radio Chatter 
  
• 9852+ people engaged in assorted Tweets pertaining to the deployment 

"+" numbers will have risen considerably since this post 

We hope we have kept our followers informed.  Sometimes it is hard to find new things to talk about, but we try.

Again – Thanks to all.

Northwest Massachusetts Incident Management Team

February 17, 2015 | 4:32PM
NWMIMT Field Update
Terry Dun, Deputy Team Leader

Good Afternoon from SSA Bedford, MA.  We're preparing for day 8 and operational period 10.

As the deployment moves on, the days turn into a routine. It is the small things that count. One can function on hand sanitizers alone for just so long, so today we received a hot water hand-washing station. A much appreciated upgrade. Again, it’s the little things!

The routine now gives a few moments to catch up on paperwork as the resources are dispatched very early in the morning and return late in the evening. However this requires the team to have staff on site by 5:00AM and others on hand as late as 11:00PM. So there are times of being super busy and others of little or no activity.

Most of the original staff will be replaced by the shift change this evening, with the others rotating out Wednesday.  Looks like our full activation will end by Wednesday next week.

February 16, 2015 | 3:07PM
NWMIMT Field Update
Terry Dun, Deputy Team Leader

Good afternoon from SSA Bedford, MA.  We're headed for day 7, operational period 9.

The team gets together each morning for breakfast at 6:00am and is out the door by 6:30 to be at our work destination by 7. A couple of members are not so lucky as they are at work by 5:30 to get early crews out the door and help the overnight team.

The cold weather has been tough on our lodging facility. Doors frozen, keys not functioning and housekeeping crews not able to get to work.  At the end of the day it's off to a team dinner, then bed.

New members are being integrated into the operation and almost everyone will be replaced by Thursday evening.

February 15, 2015 | 12:07PM
Governor Charlie Baker Winter Storm Update Presser

FIREGROUND360° - During today’s afternoon presser Governor Charlie Baker mentioned why he and his team brought in help from neighboring communities and states. He stated fatigue was the major concern and communities were saying, “We are tired and our equipment is breaking.” When asked how they are balancing fatigue Baker said, “Think it's safe to say most of us dealing with the constant snow are exhausted.” MEMA spokesman Peter Judge said they have brought in two incident management teams to help coordinate, “a 10 person team from Pennsylvania and a team from Franklin County (NWMIMT).” When asked about the next storm Judge said, “We will keep doing what we have been doing until we see green grass.”

RELATED ARTICLES

• 2.9.15   Western Mass Communities are Asking MEMA for Help - WGGB.com
  
• 2.10.15   Governor Baker outlines snow recovery efforts - WWLP.com
  
• 2.12.15   More About MEMA’s Staging Operations in Bedford - TheBedfordCitizen.org
  
• 2.12.15   Storm recovery operations update, potential for foot or more of snow over weekend - Weymouth.WickedLocal.com
  
• 2.13.15   The snow must go on... lots of trucks - Recorder.com
  
• 2.18.15   MBTA restores some service to Green Line, National Guard to dig out Red Line - MassLIVE.com
  
• 2.19.15   Two Lanesborough Emergency Managers Help Efforts To Dig Out Eastern Mass. - iBerkshires.com
• 2.21.13   Northampton firefighter duo assists snow-removal operations in Greater Boston - GazetteNet.com



PHOTOS

NORTHWEST MASSACHUSETTS INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  February 11, 2015 

ANNOUNCEMENT:  NWMIMT ACTIVATED

Greenfield MA – The Northwest Massachusetts Incident Management Team today announced that six team members have been activated to assist the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency with managing the logistics of snow removal equipment arriving from out of state at the Hanscom Field Airport Staging Area in Bedford. Over the past three weeks, communities in eastern Massachusetts have been hit hard by snow storms and more snow is in the forecast. Governor Baker has declared a state of emergency.

NWMIMT is one of only two official All-Hazard Incident Management Teams in the State. It is a multi-agency/multi-jurisdictional team of trained personnel from Western Massachusetts, who assist local authorities in managing major and/or complex incidents. Team members have received extensive classroom and field training.

NWMIMT has assisted local communities with management of large fires, search and rescue missions, floods, snowstorms and hurricanes. The team was deployed to the logistics staging area at City Field in New York City to help with staging, delivery and recovery of lifesaving assets such as generators, light towers and water pumps, during the aftermath of hurricane Sandy.

Deputy Team Leader
Angus "Terry" Dun
(413) 834-4593
nwmimt@gmail.com