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LIVE BLOG | NWMIMT HURRICANE MICHAEL DEPLOYMENT

10/15/2018

0 Comments

 
FIELD UPDATES
10.28.18 | 6:00PM
NWMIMT members checked in at Panama City Airport for first leg of flights back to Massachusetts.

10.28.18 | 5:00PM
Thank you everyone at the Bay County EOC for the opportunity to assist, you welcomed us into your family and it was an honor to serve.

10.27.18 | 12:00PM
Today the team attended our final morning briefing, we demobilize at 2:00pm this afternoon.

​10.26.18 | 6:00PM
Ryan Clary NWMIMT GIS Specialist is developing maps of new sites where the public can dispose of construction materials and debris.

10.26.18 | 3:00PM
The morning briefing “word of the day” was #laugh, “Find a reason to laugh. Laughter will do a body good.”.

10.26.18 | 12:30PM
NWMIMT team members working with agencies from around the country in the Plans Unit.

​10.25.18 | 6:00PM
Today the team worked on demobilization arrangements for multiple resources including our team.

10.25.18 | 4:00PM
Our GIS Specialist  took photos and video in the field, which along with aerial imagery helps when developing maps for operations and logistics.

10.25.18 | 2:00PM
Member Joe Cuneo introduces Chaplain Don Hodges of the Bay County Sheriffs Office, who offers a prayer for responders and Hurricane Michael survivors.

10.25.18 | 12:00PM
A “word of the day” is presented at each morning briefing, today’s word was “Endurance… the power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way.” Bay County will endure.

10.24.18 | 2:00PM
Tremendous progress being made, power is being restored, most roads cleared and even the birds have started to return.

10.24.18 | 12:00PM
Team members Butch Garrity and Joe Cuneo present at the 8:00am Planning Meeting in the Bay County EOC.

10.23.18 | 6:00PM
Thanks to our Home Finance and Logistics Support for making arrangements to fly the team home on Oct 28th.

10.23.18 | 4:00PM
Our team PIO is working in the Joint Information Center which gets critical information about the response and available services to the public through newspapers, radio, TV, flyers, video and social media.

10.23.18 | 2:00PM
Team members are beginning to develop transition plans for #BayCounty personnel who will be resuming emergency management.

10.23.18 | 12:00PM
Today five NWMIMT members are moving with the rest of the Logistics Team, from the mobile command trailer, into the Bay County EOC building, Logistics is starting to focus on demobilizing equipment as the response transitions to recovery.

10.22.18 | 3:00PM
Yesterday Florida Governor Rick Scott visited the Bay County EOC where he met NWMIMT Team Leader Dennis Annear.

10.22.18 | 12:00PM
NWMIMT member Joe Cuneo steps in as Planning Section Chief today, he is running the 8am planning meeting in the Bay County EOC.

10.21.18 | 3:00PM
Team member Jonathan Miller has been reassigned to human services division of Operations, which oversees shelters, feeding and Points of Distribution.

10.21.18 | 12:00pm
Team member Ryan Clary helps fellow responder from an Idaho IMT with equipment purchased by our Homeland Security Council, road debris and tires don't mix.

10.21.18 | 11:00am
NWMIMT member Mary Kersell will be assisting Pubic Information Officers in the Joint Information Center.

10.20.18 | 6:00PM
NWMIMT relocated to a secure area of the Bay County EOC Basecamp, this is an area of tents that hold a cafeteria, sleeping quarters, showers, and laundry, large enough to accommodate up to 250 people.

10.20.18 | 4:00PM
Today, Hope Animal Assisted Crisis Response provided support with service dog Kadar to the staff in the Bay County EOC.

10.20.18 | 3:00PM
Member Dennis Annear has been assigned as Medical Unit Leader, his mission is to set up and supply medical units at two basecamps.

10.20.18 | 1:00PM
Today, the team is half way through the deployment, this all wouldn’t be possible without the support of our families, we appreciate you more than you know.

10.20.18 10:00AM
Team members Josh Nigro and Jeff Dumais reviewed demobilization plans in the Bay County EOC. 

10.19.18 | 7:00PM
2/2 Member Ryan Clary working with GIS Unit, creating maps to support the response #BayCounty #HurricaneMichael

10.19.18 | 6:00PM
1/2 Members Jeff Dumais and Mary Kersell were assigned to the Demob and Resources Unit, gathering information, tracking personnel and equipment.

10.19.18 | 5:00PM
Multiple Points of Distribution have been set up to provide water, food, and other necessities to people impacted by Hurricane Michael.

10.19.18 | 4:00PM
6/6 Team members Jeff Dumais and C. Mayfield work to organize "T" cards, these are used to identify the location of people and equipment working at various locations in the field.

10.19.18 | 3:00PM
5/6 Member Joe Cuneo is working as Deputy Plans Section Chief in the Bay County EOC.

10.19.18 | 2:00PM
4/6 Members Dennis Annear and Bob Strahan verified deliveries, equipment and supplies that have been made and that are adequate to meet the need.

10.19.18 | 1:00PM
3/6 Member Cam Dunbar worked directly with staff from Panama City to consolidate and expedite requests for equipment support services and personnel.

10.19.18 | 12:00PM
2/6 Member Steve Ouelette reviewed and validated resource requests for supplies and equipment.

10.19.18 | 11:00AM
1/6 Yesterday, NWMIMT member Butch Garrity worked with others in the Situation Unit to continuously update the Bay County EOC staff about conditions in the field and the progress of the response.

10.18.18 | 6:00PM
NWMIMT members are also working with fellow Type III Incident Management Team responders from Mississippi, Ohio and Oregon.

10.18.18 | 3:00PM
NWMIMT member JD Hebert is working as Food Unit Leader to ensure that meals being served to emergency responders are safe.

10.18.18 | 12:00PM
NWMIMT is working seamlessly alongside volunteer members of the Barnstable County Mass Type III Incident Management Team, whose daytime work is with @MassDCR @MassEMA @BCREPC.

10.18.18 | 9:00AM
Wednesday, Florida Governor Rick Scott  visited the Bay County EOC. 

10.17.18 | 12:00PM
Today team members have been assigned to planning and logistics. 

10.17.18 | 10:00AM
The NWMIMT Team Leader and GIS Specialist are en route with a truck of supplies and an RV, they are expected to arrive some time today.

10.17.18 | 8:00AM
Another 90 degree day with 96% humidity is on tap. Due to the heat the team is reminding everyone to stay hydrated, your body weight divided by 2 equals the required number of ounces of water required.

10.16.18 | 8:00PM
Roughly noon time today the team arrived at the Bay County EOC and received the mission briefing, much work ahead.

10.16.18 - 6:00pm
Earlier today two more NWMIMT members left Bradley International Airport for #Florida to assist with Hurricane Michael recovery effort. 

10.16.18 - 5:00pm
Because the most common utilities are damaged, cell service and internet may not be available in BayCounty, team members may have limited ability to report home.

10.16.18 - 3:15pm
The team left Jacksonville early this morning for the Bay County EOC, en route the Bay County Sheriffs Office announces all roads are now open.

10.16.18 - 12:00pm
Last night the team stocked-up on supplies in Jacksonville in anticipation of limited infrastructure such as housing and phone service at the mission site, members departed for Southport early this morning. 

10.15.18 - 4:00pm
Team arrives in Jacksonville. Members pre-plan and stock supplies in anticipation of limited infrastructure such as housing, water and phone service at Bay County EOC mission site.

10.15.18 - 6:30am
Team members depart for Bradley International Airport. ​

PHOTOS
Picture
Thank you everyone at the Bay County EOC for the opportunity to assist, you welcomed us into your family and it was an honor to serve | Photo NWMIMT
NWMIMT members checked in at Panama City Airport for first leg of flights back to Massachusetts | Photo NWMIMT
Thank you everyone at the Bay County EOC for the opportunity to assist, you welcomed us into your family and it was an honor to serve | Photo NWMIMT
One of many temporary camps set up to support the Hurricane Michael response and recovery efforts | Photo NWMIMT
10.27.18 | 12:00PM Today the team attended our final morning briefing, we demobilize at 2:00pm this afternoon | Photo NWMIMT
Ryan Clary NWMIMT GIS Specialist is developing maps of new sites where the public can dispose of construction materials and debris | Photo NWMIMT
NWMIMT team members working with agencies from around the country in the Plans Unit | Graphic Bay County EOC
Today the team worked on demobilization arrangements for multiple resources including our team | Photo NWMIMT
Our GIS Specialist took photos and video in the field, which along with aerial imagery helps when developing maps for operations and logistics | Photo NWMIMT
Member Joe Cuneo introduces Chaplain Don Hodges of the Bay County Sheriffs Office, who offers a prayer for responders and Hurricane Michael survivors | Photo NWMIMT
Team members Butch Garrity and Joe Cuneo present at the 8:00am Planning Meeting in the Bay County EOC | Photo NWMIMT
Team members Butch Garrity and Joe Cuneo present at the 8:00am Planning Meeting in the Bay County EOC | Photo NWMIMT
Our team PIO is working in the Joint Information Center which gets critical information about the response and available services to the public through newspapers, radio, TV, flyers, video and social media | Photo NWMIMT
Five members are moving with the rest of the Logistics Team, from the mobile command trailer, into the Bay County EOC building, Logistics is starting to focus on demobilizing equipment as the response transitions to recovery | Photo NWMIMT
NWMIMT living quarters inside the new basecamp, home for the duration of the deployment.
Florida Governor Rick Scott visited the Bay County EOC where he met NWMIMT Team Leader Dennis Annear | Photo NWMIMT
NWMIMT member Joe Cuneo steps in as Planning Section Chief today, here he is running the 8am planning meeting in the Bay County EOC | Photo NWMIMT
Logistics Unit Command Trailer | Photo NWMIMT
Bay County EOC sunset Oct 19th | Photo NWMIMT
Team member Ryan Clary helps fellow responder from an Idaho IMT with equipment purchased by our Homeland Security Council, road debris and tires don't mix | Photo NWMIMT
Photo Bay County EOC
Photo Bay County EOC
Photo Bay County EOC
NWMIMT relocated to a secure area of the Bay County EOC Basecamp, this is an area of tents that hold a cafeteria, sleeping quarters, showers, and laundry, large enough to accommodate up to 250 people | Photo NWMIMT
Today, Hope Animal Assisted Crisis Response provided support with service dog Kadar to the staff in the Bay County EOC | Photo NWMIMT
Team members Josh Nigro and Jeff Dumais reviewed demobilization plans in the Bay County EOC | Photo NWMIMT
NWMIMT early morning breakfast before daily tasks begin | Photo NWMIMT
6/6 Team members Jeff Dumais and C. Mayfield work to organize "T" cards, these are used to identify the location of people and equipment working at various locations in the field | Photo NWMIMT
2/6 Member Steve Ouelette reviewed and validated resource requests for supplies and equipment | Photo WWMIMT
1/6 Yesterday, NWMIMT member Butch Garrity worked with others in the Situation Unit to continuously update the Bay County EOC staff about conditions in the field and the progress of the response | Photo NWMIMT
Team member JD Hebert is working as Food Unit Leader to ensure that meals being served to emergency responders are safe | Photo NWMIMT
Wednesday, Florida Governor Rick Scott visited the Bay County EOC | Photo NWMIMT
NWMIMT members working in the Plans Section | Photo NWMIMT
Early Tuesday, October 10, 2018, two more team members, Joe and Cam depart from Bradley International | Photo NWMIMT
Team en route to Bay County EOC traveling west begin to experience tree damage | Photo NWMIMT
Northwestern Massachusetts Incident Management Team departs for Hurricane Michael assignment | Photo NWMIMT
Wednesday - October 10, 2018 - 1pm NWS National Hurricane Center Intermediate Advisory 16A | Map NOAA
Hurricane Michael with winds peaking at 155 mph as it made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida, on October 10th, becoming the first to do so in the region as a Category 4 hurricane | Map Weather Channel
Hurricane Michael approaching the U.S. from the south as a category 4 storm | Map NOAA
Potential track of Hurricane Michael as it enters the Gulf of Mexico | National Hurricane Center

SOCIAL MEDIA

Our website is LIVE! Visit https://t.co/SJWH7bemuC for official #HurricaneMichael recovery information from #BayCounty. #850Strong pic.twitter.com/2Bfov9FPSg

— Bay County FL EM (@BayCountyEM) October 18, 2018

To all the first responders, law enforcement, and volunteers - You are everywhere. You are helping people. You are saving lives. You should be really proud about what you do. Florida is proud of the unbelievably great job you are doing. pic.twitter.com/VQOxyMM91h

— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) October 17, 2018

BREAKING: Florida says 16 deaths in the state attributable to Hurricane Michael, doubling the number killed in the state.

— The Associated Press (@AP) October 16, 2018

Thousands of utility linemen are still working around the clock to restore power. These dedicated men and women have left their families to make sure FL families get power back as quickly as possible and we are incredibly appreciative of their hard work. pic.twitter.com/tQSgARM0fD

— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) October 18, 2018

Thank you, @Emeril for stopping by the Bay Co. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) yesterday! His friend (& fellow celerity chef) @chefjoseandres & @WCKitchen have graciously served thousands of meals at the EOC and to #HurricaneMichael survivors throughout #BayCounty. #850Strong pic.twitter.com/a3CPhq9CHY

— Bay County FL EM (@BayCountyEM) October 18, 2018

Thank you to all who have volunteered their time in the Panhandle to assist with our recovery. Thousands of meals are being served, roads are being rebuilt, and power is being restored. It's amazing to see the entire state of FL coming together to rebuild.

— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) October 16, 2018

MEDIA

​10.15.18  Gov. Baker Sends MEMA Team to Assist With Hurricane Michael Recovery Efforts - NECN
10.15.18  Mass. dispatches emergency team to Florida to help with Hurricane Michael recovery effort - Boston Globe
10.15.18  Gov. Baker Authorizes MEMA to Send IMT to Florida to Assist with Hurricane Michael Response & Recovery - Mass.gov


​HURRICANE MICHAEL TIMELINE​
Wikipedia

Hurricane Michael was the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane to make landfall in the United States in terms of pressure, behind the 1935 Labor Day hurricane and Hurricane Camille of 1969. It was also the strongest in terms of maximum sustained wind speed to strike the contiguous United States since Andrew in 1992. In addition, it was the strongest on record in the Florida Panhandle, and was the fourth-strongest landfalling hurricane in the contiguous United States, in terms of wind speed.
Picture
Hurricane Michael on October 10, 2018 | Photo NASA
The thirteenth named storm, seventh hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season, Michael originated from a broad low-pressure area that formed in the southwestern Caribbean Sea on October 2. The disturbance became a tropical depression on October 7, after nearly a week of slow development. By the next day, Michael had intensified into a hurricane near the western tip of Cuba as it moved northward. Strengthening continued in the Gulf of Mexico, reaching major hurricane status on October 9, peaking at a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale. Approaching the Florida Panhandle, Michael attained peak winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) as it made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida, on October 10, becoming the first to do so in the region as a Category 4 hurricane, and making landfall as the strongest storm of the season. As it moved inland, the storm weakened and began to take a northeastward trajectory toward Chesapeake Bay, weakening to a tropical storm over Georgia, and transitioning into an extratropical cyclone off the coast of the Mid-Atlantic states on October 12.

By October 10, at least 33 deaths had been attributed to the storm, including 18 in the United States and 15 in Central America. Insurance losses due to Michael in the United States are estimated to be at least $8 billion (2018 USD).[1] As an unnamed tropical depression, the storm caused extensive flooding in Central America in concert with a second disturbance over the eastern Pacific Ocean. In Cuba, the hurricane's winds left over 200,000 people without power as the storm passed to the island's west. Along the Florida panhandle, the cities of Mexico Beach and Panama City suffered the worst of Michael, with catastrophic damage reported due to the extreme winds and storm surge. Numerous homes were flattened and trees felled over a wide swath of the panhandle. A maximum wind gust of 129 mph (208 km/h) was measured at Tyndall Air Force Base near the point of landfall. As Michael tracked across the Southeastern United States, strong winds caused extensive power outages across the region.

RESOURCES
  • ​Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • Department of Defense Twitter
  • US National Guard Twitter
  • Florida Governor Scott Twitter
  • Florida National Guard Twitter
  • Florida SERT Twitter
  • Bay County Emergency Operations Center Twitter
  • Bay County Emergency Services Facebook
  • Bay County Sheriffs Office Twitter
  • Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker Twitter
  • Massachusetts Lt. Governor Karyn Polito
  • ​Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
  • Western Mass Homeland Security Advisory Council
  • Northwest Massachusetts Incident Management Team (NWMIMT)
  • ​MassDCR Twitter 
  • MassDEP Twitter

DEPLOYMENT LOCATION
Tallahassee, Florida EOC > REDIRECT > Southport Florida, Bay County EOC - 30.2992015 85.66235110000002

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

NORTHWEST MASSACHUSETTS INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  October 15, 2018 

ANNOUNCEMENT:  NWMIMT ACTIVATED

Greenfield – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is sending more help to Florida as communities continue to recover and rebuild from the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. The Commonwealth has assembled a joint team of emergency management personnel from the Northwest Massachusetts Incident Management Team (NWMIMT) and the Department Conservation and Recreation (DCR) for a fifteen day deployment. “We are honored that our team has been chosen to work alongside DCR personnel to get Floridians back on their feet”, said Dennis Annear, the NWMIMT Team leader. “We are extremely fortunate to have a strong team of experienced professionals willing and available to help.”

Early this week the 12-person incident management team of nine NWMIMT and three DCR personnel will travel from Western MA to Tallahassee, where they will receive their assignment from the State of Florida Emergency Operations Center. The NWMIMT members who will be responding hail from Greenfield, Lanesboro, Leyden, New Salem, Amherst, Monson and Jacksonville Vt. Collectively they have decades of experience managing complex incidents.

The request for assistance from Florida came through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), which is the national emergency management mutual aid system that facilitates state-to-state disaster assistance. The requesting state (in this case Florida), fully reimburses Massachusetts for costs. All personnel are coordinated between the two state emergency management agencies.
NWMIMT is a group of highly dedicated volunteers from across Western Massachusetts, each of whom has extensive training in the National Incident Management System. The team has been deployed locally multiple times over the years for missions involving hazardous waste spills, search and rescue operations, brush fires and tornado response. Most recently, the team assisted with a tanker rollover in Whately and a train derailment in Wendell. Further afield, the team has assisted with two other EMAC requests: to assist in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and in New York State after Hurricane Sandy. In Massachusetts the team supported MEMA in the operation of the staging area for the Out-of-State snow removal equipment for the Greater Boston Area in 2015 at Hanscom Field in Bedford.

The team is thankful for the support and funding it has received from the Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council, the
Tri-State Fire Mutual Aid Association and MEMA.

Throughout the Florida deployment, Public Information Officers will provide updates to the team Twitter account @NWMIMT and to www.fireground360.com.


Picture
CONTACT
Public Information Officer Mary Kersell
413-330-3496
​nwmimtpio@gmail.com
​

INTERVIEWS
Team Leader Dennis Annear
nwmimt.annear@gmail.com
978-821-9914
or
Deputy Team Leader Tracy Rogers
trogers1972@gmail.com   
413-834-0459
​
nwmimt_press_release_florida.pdf
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LIVE BLOG | MASS WILDFIRE CREW BC CANADA DEPLOYMENT

8/3/2017

1 Comment

 
MASS WILDFIRE CREW (MAS#1) UPDATES
August 18, 2017 | 3:00PM
Today is the final day on the fire for the crew. Yesterday was long action packed day, as they supported a major burn out operation to secure the west flank of Division B, which increases security for the village of Clinton, BC.  Saturday will be spent debriefing, cleaning trucks and packing gear for the trip home. Depending on smoke impacts on the airports, the crew will fly to Quebec City on Sunday or Monday and bus back to Hopkinton from there. More details to follow as they become available. Please keep these great MA and NH staff in your thoughts as they begin closing out the assignment this week. 

August 15, 2017 | 3:48PM
The crew continues to do very well with daily challenges encountered with afternoon fire behavior against containment lines. They have received excellent reviews from the fire staff of BC for being hard workers, organized and very disciplined. Last day of the fire will be Friday the 18th with travel home most likely Sunday or Monday for a well deserved break. Please keep these great MA and NH staff if your thoughts as they begin closing out the assignment this week. 

August 10, 2017 | 4:40PM
Yesterday proved to be a challenging, but rewarding day for the crew, as they faced very active fire behavior along their division south of Clinton. They worked with crews from Australia, New Zealand and Ottawa to keep the fire in check and continue to protect the village of Clinton.  The crew is healthy and yesterdays challenge, with their new friends from Australia and New Zealand, made for a good energizing experience.

August 8, 2017 | 3:39PM
The crew is doing very well, and melding into the British Columbia fire management system. They are working the West Division of the fire outside the village of Clinton, which has been evacuated. Due to their assignment location, the crew was moved to a camp in Clinton, closer to their assignment. Everyone is healthy, doing good work and representing us very well. 

August 6, 2017 | 2:02PM
The crew is doing very well and started their first assignment today on the Elephant Hill Fire.  This is one of the top priority fires in BC, at 275,000 acres with many homes threatened and evacuations in place.  By all accounts from our crew boss, all crew members are healthy and excited to finally get to work on the line. 

August 4, 2017 | 1:04PM
The Wildfire Crew is well on their way to British Columbia for a two week assignment with two crews from Quebec to assist with heavy wildfire activity throughout the interior portion of the province. Massachusetts firefighters are comprised of 14 from Mass DCR and 2 from Mass DFW. Crew leadership reports the team has performed excellent through the first phase of the mobilization. They are energized and excited to get assigned to one of the 110 large fires currently burning and to represent Massachusetts, the United States and the Northeast Forest Fire Compact in the highest regard. 

August 4, 2017
The Wildfire Crew has been briefed at SOPFEU Fire Center in Quebec City, prior to their flight to British Columbia. 

August 3, 2017 | 3:30PM 
The crew is in Canada, have boarded the bus and are now enroute to Quebec.

QUICK FACTS
​The wildfire situation is continually evolving and the information below is current as noon, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017

 Fires: 
  • There are currently 135 wildfires burning in British Columbia
  • Since April 1, 2017, there have been a total of 1,0 wildfires in the province that have burned a total of 1,021,674 hectares, approximately 2,524,611 acres

Crews and equipment:
  • There are 3731 firefighters and other personnel currently fighting the fires. This includes 669 from out-of-province and 1,419 contractors
  • There are 177 helicopters and planes supporting ground crews to fight the British Columbia fires  

Evacuations and impact:
  • There are currently 24 evacuation orders and 35 evacuation alerts related to wildfires
  • There are approximately 3,818 current evacuees due to wildfires.

AUDIO UPDATES
August 21, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (23:36) - Sound Cloud
August 20, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (28:01)
 - Sound Cloud
August 19, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (17:28) - Sound Cloud
August 18, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (25:22) - Sound Cloud
August 17, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (27:45) - Sound Cloud 
August 16, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (30:19) - Sound Cloud 
August 15, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (23:07) - Sound Cloud
August 14, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (26:15) - Sound Cloud
August 13, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (24:02) - Sound Cloud
August 12, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (18:30) - Sound Cloud
August 11, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (36:06) - Sound Cloud
August 10, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (38:40) - Sound Cloud
August 9, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (29:47) - Sound Cloud
​August 8, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (25:09) - Sound Cloud
August 7, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (25:49) - Sound Cloud
August 6, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (28:08) - Sound Cloud
​August 5, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (25:41) - Sound Cloud
August 4, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (31:48) - Sound Cloud
​August 3, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (33:46) - Sound Cloud
August 2, 2017 | BC Wildfire Update (24:14) - Sound Cloud

MEDIA
  • 8/20  Wildfire efforts could lose up to 40% of crews as students return to school - CBC
  • 8/19  B.C. wildfire status Saturday: State of emergency extended as wind, thunderstorms threaten Interior - Global News
  • 8/16  Freeland praises joint firefighting efforts as NAFTA talks begin - Global News
  • 8/16  BC on track for record-breaking wildfire season - NEWS1130
  • 8/15  8,450 square kilometres burned as B.C. nears worst wildfire season - Times Colonist
  • 8/13  Aug. 13: Elephant Hill fire estimated at 149,914 hectares - 100 MILE FREE PRESS
  • 8/13  B.C. hits 1,003 wildfires in 2017 - Surrey-Now Leader
  • 8/11  Aug. 11: Smoke today due to change in wind direction - The Ashcroft-Cache Creek Journal
  • 8/10  Aug.10: North flank of Elephant Hill fire holding nicely - 100 MILE FREE PRESS
  • 8/10  B.C. wildfires continue to burn, relief efforts ramp up as 100's of FF's pour in to relieve local crews - Journal of Commerce
  • 8/10  B.C. fire crews return home after month-long wildfire battle - BC Local News
  • 8/9  Canada wildfires 'apocalyptic' reports Kiwi pilot - RNZ
  • 8/9  BC Wildfire Service hoping for weekend rain as 150 fires continue to burn - MYPRINCEGEORGENOW
  • 8/9  Dry, hot conditions lead to 28 new wildfires in B.C. - Maclean's
  • 8/7  B.C. wildfire situation 'static,' but worst may lie ahead: officials - CTV News Vancouver
  • 8/7  ‘B.C. is burning and we’re only right at the very beginning,’ - The Hill Times
  • 8/7  B.C. wildfire status Monday: cool front could ease fire fight - Global News
  • 8/6  Ten pop-up tent cities support thousands of firefighters - NEWS1130
  • 8/6  B.C. wildfires have now scorched an area larger than PEI - Global News
  • 8/6  BC Wildfire calling in more international assistance for B.C. Wildfires - KelownaNOW
  • 8/6  Hummingbird drones helping fight fires in B.C. Interior - CBC News
  • 8/5  Local firefighters join battle against Canadian wildfires - WHDH.com
  • 8/5  "An absolute monster" Elephant Hill Fire expands to more than 100,000 hectares - MYCARABOONOW
  • 8/5  Massachusetts firefighters to join battle against B.C. wildfires - Global News
  • 8/5  B.C. Wildfires: Theft, Damaged Equipment Adding To Firefighters' Frustrations - Huffington Post
  • 8/5  Local men join battle against Canadian wildland fires - Newburyport News
  • 8/4  New Zealand sending 80 firefighters to Canada - NZ City
  • 8/4  State of emergency over B.C. wildfires extended for second time - CTV News Vancouver
  • 8/4  B.C. wildfires map 2017: Current location of wildfires around the province - Global News
  • 8/4  Canadian wildfires are so bad you can see them from space - Independent
  • 8/3  Mexican firefighters arrive in Chilliwack to join the wildfire battle - The Abbottsford News
  • 8/3  How to help the victims of BC wildfires - KING5.com
  • 8/3  B.C. wildfire season worst since 1958 - CBC News
  • 8/3  Local firefighters join team headed to western Canada to fight wildfires - Recorder.com
  • 8/3  Mass. firefighters to head to Canada to fight wildfires​ - Telegram.com
  • 8/3  BC wildfire smoke pollution now listed as unhealthy for all in Portland - KGW.com
  • 8/2  Over 100 active wildfires in British Columbia - Wildfire Today
  • 8/2  New evacuation orders in B.C. Interior as large wildfires grow - CBC News

PHOTOS + CAPTURES
8/21 Welcome home | MassDCR
8/21 Mass Wildfire Crew arrives home | MassDCR
MAS and NH firefighters holding the line | MassDCR
Working with heavy equipment on the fireline | MassDCR
Burnout operations in Division B | MassDCR
8-17-17 Elephant Hill Fire Map | MassDCR
MAS#1 hitting hot spots | MassDCR
MAS#1 makes the front page of daily Incident Action Plan | MassDCR
Extremely dry fuel conditions challenge containment strategies | MassDCR
MAS#1 burnout operation to remove unburned fuel along dozer line | MassDCR
Mass and NH firefighters make a difference and good impression in BC Canada ElephantHill wildfire during this burn out operation | MassDCR
Increased fire activity near dozer line firebreak | MassDCR
Working the dozer line | MassDCR
MAS#1 getting job done with Australia and New Zealand against challenging fire activity on Elephant Hill Fire | MassDCR
Crews from 4 nations, including U.S. MA/NH working together for common objective | MassDCR
Dozer line firebreak with active fire | MassDCR
Mass Wildfire Crew working w Australia and New Zealand to hold dozer lines with active fire | MassDCR
8/9 Fire behavior encountered by crew | MassDCR
8/8 MAS#1 looking sharp at new fire camp in Clinton BC | MassDCR
8/8 MAS#1 Crew running burnout operations | MassDCR
8/8 Elephant Hill Fire Map | MassDCR
What it takes to fight the Elephant Hill Wildfire | B.C. Wildfire Service
8/6 MAS#1 setting up camp at 99Mile Fire Camp | MassDCR
Elephant Hill K20637 Public Information Map | BC Government
8/4 MAS#1 boarding plane in Quebec City Friday morning | MassDCR
8/4 Mass Wildfire Crew briefing in Quebec City | MassDCR
8/4 Briefing presentation at the SOPFEU Fire Center in Quebec City | MassDCR
8/3 Best wishes and thank yous from the folks back home | FG360
8/3 Smoke from the B.C. wildfires from space | NASA
7/30 A trailer parked at a campground in Savona, B.C., is seen as the Elephant Hill wildfire burns in the distance near Clinton, illuminating smoke in the sky during the early morning hours | Photo Darryl Dyck

VIDEO
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.
BC Wildfire Helicopters 2 
Hailey Finnigan - August 8, 2017
After an early morning safety check these massive helicopters take off from 108 Mile to help fight BCwildfires.​

After an early morning safety check these massive helicopters take off from 108 Mile to help fight #Bcwildfires. pic.twitter.com/dMV9UZLwrM

— Hailey Finnigan (@finniganh) August 8, 2017
BC Wildfire Helicopters 1 
Hailey Finnigan - August 7, 2017
Huge helicopters landing at 108 Mile. The efforts to contain the BC Wildfires continue.

Huge helicopters landing at 108 mile. The efforts to contain the #bcwildfires continue. pic.twitter.com/iVcCRn5zS9

— Hailey Finnigan (@finniganh) August 8, 2017
Mass Wildfire Crew departs for BC Canada 
MassDCR - August 3, 2017
MassDCR firefighters board their bus to NH, then head to battle extreme wildland fires in British Columbia, Canada. 

.@MassDCR firefighters board their bus to NH, then heading to battle extreme wildland fires in British Columbia #Canada □□ pic.twitter.com/rcvoLSl2kz

— MassDCR (@MassDCR) August 3, 2017
B.C. Wildfires: CBC Special Coverage 
CBC News -  July 17, 2017
CBC News Vancouver special coverage of the wildfire situation.​
B.C. Wildfires: Special Coverage
CBC News -  July 10, 2017
CBC News Vancouver special coverage of the wildfire situation.

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)
Picture

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.

MASSACHUSETTS WILDFIRE CREW | MAS#1
Picture
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.

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
1 Comment

BLARNEY BLOWOUT 2017 | RESPONSE LIVE BLOG

3/4/2017

0 Comments

 
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

INCIDENT UPDATES

3.4.17 / 5:53PM / AMHERST, MA - EAST PLEASANT ST / PD REQ FIRE-EMS / PARTY ASSAULTED  

​3.4.17 / 5:41PM / AMHERST, MA - EAST PLEASANT ST / ETOH PARTY REQ PD ASSIST AFTER BEING PUNCHED IN THE FACE

3.4.17 / 4:39PM / AMHERST, MA - UNIVERSITY DR / ETOH PARTY / PD ENROUTE
​

March 4, 2017 | 2:00pm
The Amherst Fire Department reports no increase in calls for service as compared to a normal winter Saturday. Also, the Amherst Fire Department triage unit, in conjunction with UMass Emergency Medical Services, has had seven patient contacts, all treated on site at the Mullins Center.  read more

3.4.17 / 2:33PM / AMHERST, MA - UMPD / MEDICAL / PARTY WITH SHOULDER PAIN

3.4.17 / 2:26PM / AMHERST, MA - SUNSET AVE / MEDICAL / ETOH PARTY
​
3.4.17 / 2:12PM / AMHERST, MA / UMPD / 1 UNDER

3.4.17 / 2:01PM / AMHERST, MA - COMMONWEALTH AVE (MULLINS CTR) / MEDICAL / EOC REQ EMS ETOH PARTY / NORTHAMPTON RESPONDING


​3.4.17 / 2:01PM / AMHERST, MA - SUMMER ST / RESIDENT REQ PD ASSIST TO BREAK UP THEIR OWN PARTY / PD ENROUTE

3.4.17 / 1:57PM / AMHERST, MA - SUMMER ST / FIGHT / PD ENROUTE

​3.4.17 / 1:00PM / AMHERST, MA - SOUTH EAST ST / RP STATING INDIVIDUAL URINATING IN YARD / REQ PD SHUTDOWN PARTY
 
​March 4, 2017 | 11:00am
UMass Amherst officials report no issues as of 10:30 a.m. Students have been gathering to enter the Mullins Center, which has distributed 3,156 tickets. Doors opened at 11 and the concert is scheduled to begin at 11:30 with student act Nliten.  read more 

ADVISORIES
  • Media Advisory #3 - AmherstMa.gov
  • Media Advisory #2 - AmherstMa.gov
  • ​Media Advisory #1 - AmherstMa.gov 

RESOURCES
Picture
Easthampton Police Department assisting the Town of Amherst
Easthampton Police Department | Photo EPD
Tweet @McgrathCarson

RELATED
​March 4, 2017
‘Blarney Blowout’ shows early signs of being blown out by cold weather
Gazettenet.com - In frigid temperatures and high winds, the much-loved — and much-maligned — ‘Blarney Blowout’ was, instead, much subdued. Scattered groups of college-aged people clad in green roamed the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus and North Amherst Saturday morning into the early afternoon for ‘Blarney Weekend,’ but the morning and early afternoon lacked the large-scale arrests and violence that characterized the event in 2014.  read more
​
​March 4, 2017

No incidents so far during Blarney Blowout in Amherst; town says everyone is 'safe'​
MassLIVE.com - Officials on Saturday said the community is "safe" amid the Blarney Blowout, a day of revelry for college students, and downtown businesses are open. Law enforcement from throughout the region are on hand at apartment complexes in North Amherst and "officers are interacting proactively with students and town residents," town officials said in a statement. As of this writing, police and UMass Amherst officials said there were no incidents to report. Traffic is flowing smoothly and buses are running normally.  read more

​March 3, 2017
​University ramps up restrictions ahead of ‘Blarney Blowout’ weekend
Amherstwire.com - The University of Massachusetts Amherst campus community plans for a safe and relatively calm “Blarney Blowout” weekend.  read more
Picture
Above Blarney Blowout 2014, Hobart Lane
​​
​March 3, 2017

Frigid temperatures could affect UMass revelry on traditional 'Blarney Blowout' weekend
MassLIVE.com - Besides outlining the events, regulations and expectations for this weekend, the University of Massachusetts Student Life page is also issuing a weather advisory. It will be cold. That cold could affect how students celebrate what has been known as the "Blarney Blowout" weekend, a moniker that many have moved away from.  read more

March 2, 2017
Five things to know before ‘Blarney’​
DailyCollegian.com - As March 4 weekend and “Blarney Blowout” approaches at the University of Massachusetts, several changes are to be expected in terms of University policy and police presence around the campus and in the community. With events such as the “Mullins Live!” concert entering its third year, the University hopes to build upon the positive results of last year’s Blarney weekend and avoid a repeat of the infamous Blarney Blowout of 2014.  read more
0 Comments

LIVE BLOG | VIGILANT GUARD 2016

7/26/2016

0 Comments

 

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 30, 2016 - NWMIMT demobilizing from Jericho Search and Rescue Exercise | Photo NWMIMT
July 31, 2016 - Vigilant Guard 16 - Northwest Mass IMT Team photo, last day of our participation at Camp Ethan Allen in Jericho VT | Photo NWMIMT
July 30, 2016 - Moulage kit for preparing injured and deceased victim mannequins for the Jericho 16 earthquake exercise scenario | Photo NWMIMT
July 30, 2016 - Dummy victims being moulage for Jericho 16 search and rescue exercise | Photo NWMIMT
July 30, 2016 - NWMIMT Team Leader, Dennis Annear conferring with GIS Staff before morning operational briefing | Photo NWMIMT
July 29, 2016 - Mass Task Force - Canine search dog. Our four legged friends helping our two legged assets | Photo NWMIMT
July 29, 2016 - Planning meeting concluded. IAP development begins | Photo NWMIMT
July 29, 2016 - Work can happen anywhere the opportunity presents itself | Photo NWMIMT
​July 29, 2016 - Stowe VT Rescue training on Thursday July 28, in preparation for Jericho 2016 exercise | Photo NWMIMT
July 29, 2016 - NWMIMT Team Leader discusses Jericho 16 exercise with representatives of the Mass State Police | Photo NWMIMT
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July 29, 2016 - Urban Search and rescue teams gather for morning operations briefing | Photo NWMIMT
​
Photo Office of The Adjutant General, Vermont National Guard
Photo Office of The Adjutant General, Vermont National Guard
Photo Office of The Adjutant General, Vermont National Guard
Photo Office of The Adjutant General, Vermont National Guard
July 28, 2016 - "Yesterday we kicked off the first of many exercises as part of Vigilant Guard 2016." - Adjutant General, VNG
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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

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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
​
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NORTHWEST MASSACHUSETTS INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM
Mary Kersell
PIO
(413) 256-6977 home
(413) 330-3496 cell

​
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.
press_release_jericho_2016.pdf
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LIVE BLOG | FRANKLIN COUNTY MCI TRAINING + EXERCISE

4/2/2016

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PHOTOS

Morning Safety Briefing for IMT and Staff | Photo Terry Dun NWMIMT
AMTRAK Safety Officer adding to safety briefing | Photo Terry Dun NWMIMT
AMTRAK Training Car backing into exercise area | Photo Terry Dun NWMIMT
Community 911 training lead instructor giving EMT briefing before first practical | Photo Terry Dun NWMIMT
Student victim awaiting Triage on Train | Photo Terry Dun NWMIMT
Triage in progress | Photo Terry Dun NWMIMT
Debrief of Student victims after an evaluation by triage team | Photo Terry Dun NWMIMT
Final MCI drill | Photo Terry Dun NWMIMT
Final MCI drill | Photo Terry Dun NWMIMT
Final MCI drill | Photo Terry Dun NWMIMT
Final MCI drill | Photo Terry Dun NWMIMT
Final MCI drill | Photo Terry Dun NWMIMT

PRESS RELEASE

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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

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LIVE BLOG | NWMIMT URBAN SEARCH + RESCUE EXERCISE

9/29/2015

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PHOTOS
October 1, 2015 | 10:30AM
The University of Vermont drone being implemented during the urban SAR exercise| Photo Terry Dun
The drone will provide detailed mapping of the affected area, in this case, damage assessment and access roads | Photo Terry Dun

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

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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​
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BLARNEY BLOWOUT 2015 | RESPONSE LIVE BLOG

3/6/2015

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3.7.15 / 10:04PM / AMHERST, MA - BOLTWOOD WALK / MEDICAL / ETOH PARTY 

3.7.15 / 9:55PM / AMHERST, MA / PD / ETOH PARTY LOST 

3.7.15 / 9:53PM / AMHERST, MA - BELCHERTOWN RD / MEDICAL / ASSAULT / REPORTED PI 

3.7.15 / 8:10PM / AMHERST, MA - MEADOW ST / COUCH FIRE / BEHIND BUILDING

3.7.15 / 7:13PM / AMHERST, MA - LINCOLN AVE / MEDICAL / ETOH PARTY / UNCONSCIOUS

3.7.15 / 6:29PM / AMHERST, MA - N PLEASANT ST / PD / ETOH PARTY LOST

3.7.15 / 6:19PM / AMHERST, MA - E PLEASANT ST / PD / PARTY FALLING DOWN REPEATABLY 

3.7.15 / 6:18PM / AMHERST, MA - E PLEASANT ST / MEDICAL / PARTY ETOH

3.7.15 / 5:13PM / AMHERST, MA - E PLEASANT ST / MEDICAL / PARTY ETOH / REQ EMS EVAL / AGAWAM ENROUTE

3.7.15 / 4:43PM / AMHERST, MA - AMITY ST / PD / FIGHT IN PROGRESS / OFFICER ON SCENE / BACKUP ENROUTE

3.7.15 / 4:15PM / AMHERST, MA - MAIN ST / PD / FIGHT IN PROGRESS 10+ / PD ENROUTE

3.7.15 / 3:43PM / AMHERST, MA  - TRIANGLE ST / PD / PARTIES ENTERING CONSTRUCTION SITE / PD + MSP ENROUTE 

>>>>>   CONCERT END  3:40PM   <<<<< 

3.7.15 / 3:26PM / AMHERST, MA - MONTAGUE RD / MEDICAL / PARTY ETOH / UNCONSCIOUS + UNRESPONSIVE / EASTHAMPTON RESPONDING 

3.7.15 / 2:50PM / AMHERST, MA - MEADOW + RT116 / MEDICAL / ETOH PARTY IN A DITCH

3.7.15 / 2:47PM / AMHERST, MA - MEADOW + RT116 / MEDICAL / ETOH PARTY / EXPOSURE

3.7.15 / 2:47PM / AMHERST, MA  / PD / PARTY PUNCHED-IN VEHICLE WINDOW

3.7.15 / 1:56PM / AMHERST, MA - SW CIRCLE / MEDICAL / UNCONSCIOUS PARTY / PT IS BREATHING / AGAWAM RESPONDING

3.7.15 / 1:07PM / AMHERST, MA - N EAST ST  / PD / DISTURBANCE / OPEN CONTAINER

3.7.15 / 12:51PM / AMHERST, MA - NORTHAMPTON + KENDRICK / PD / 30+ DISTRURBING PEACE

3.7.15 / 12:49PM / AMHERST, MA / PD / 1 UNDER / TRANSPORITNG

3.7.15 / 12:40PM / AMHERST, MA - MULLINS CTR / MEDICAL / PIONEER VALLEY TRANSPORTING 1

3.7.15 / 12:17PM / AMHERST, MA - N PROSPECT / PD / MULTIPLE FIGHTS IN PROGRESS

3.7.15 / 12:11PM / AMHERST, MA - COMMONWEALTH AVE / MEDICAL / ETOH PARTY / BELCHERTOWN RESPONDING

3.7.15 / 11:56AM / AMHERST, MA - COMMONWEALTH AVE / MEDICAL / 2 ETOH PARTIES / MEDIC RESPONDING + AGAWAM RESPONDING

PHOTOS

FIREGROUND360° FACEBOOK+

Twitter screen capture
FIREGROUND360° Facebook screen capture
Photo Anonymous
Yik Yak screen capture
"We know where you are..." | Blarney Chat screen capture
Yik Yak screen capture
Blarney 2014 | Photo @MattBarnes47
FILE - In this March 8, 2014 file photo, police detain a participant in the pre-St. Patrick's Day "Blarney Blowout" near the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Mass. The University of Massachusetts and Amherst town officials have developed a plan they hope will prevent a repeat of the drunken rowdiness that accompanied last year’s so-called Blarney Blowout pre-St. Patrick’s Day parties. The university, using a plan similar to one used to prevent problems after this year’s Super Bowl, will ban dormitory residents from having guests from March 5 until March 9. More than 7,000 people registered as guests in UMass dorms during last year’s Blowout weekend. (AP Photo/The Republican, Robert Rizzuto, File) MANDATORY CREDIT The Associated Press

VIDEO

UMass Blarney Blowout 2015 
Jason Girouard - What used to be one of the biggest college parties in the northeast is now suppressed by UMass and Amherst police departments. RIP, Blarney. For now...

FACEBOOK

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Picture

FADE


ADVISORIES

  • Media Advisory #3 - AmherstMa.gov 
  • Media Advisory #2 - AmherstMa.gov
  • Media Advisory #1 - AmherstMa.gov 

RELATED

March 9, 2015
UMass Amherst Officials Pleased with Results of March 7 Planning, View Investments as Way to Change Campus Culture
UMass.edu - University of Massachusetts Amherst officials are pleased with the outcome of March 7 activities. Months of planning, collaboration with town officials and students, and an emphasis on changing campus culture resulted in a peaceful weekend highlighted by a successful concert attended by about 5,200 students.

“Implementing recommendations from the Davis Report, we invested significant time and resources up front with a focus on prevention to address a long-standing pattern of student disturbances,” said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life Enku Gelaye. “This is an investment in student success. We are at the beginning of this process and we will be steadfast in our efforts. But we are on the right path as an engaged community.”  read more...

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March 8, 2015
Blarney Blowout 2015: Calm and Peaceful Celebrations in Amherst
WGGB.com - It was a good day for the UMass Amherst community, as stakeholders deemed Blarney Blowout 2015 a success.

Students ran around campus all day, decked out in green head-to-toe for this year’s celebrations. But unlike last year, the event was calm and under control.

“I can’t begin to thank, first and foremost, the students for rising to the occasion and really showing respect and cooperation with each other, with neighbors, and local police,” explains John Musante, Amherst Town Manager.
read more...

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Officers blocked the entrances to the Puffton Village and Townhouse apartment complexes, where rowdy students gathered during last year’s event | Photo Mathew Cavanaugh
March 8, 2015
Police keep Amherst’s Blarney Blowout contained
BostonGlobe.com - A heavy police presence at the site where last year’s Blarney Blowout raucous celebrations took place stopped the formation of any large gatherings Saturday afternoon.

Officers blocked the entrances to the Puffton Village and Townhouse apartment complexes where rowdy students gathered in last year’s blowout, which resulted in 55 arrests by Amherst police, according to a report released in September by former Boston police commissioner Edward F. Davis.  
read more...

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A cartoon accompanying "How the Grinch Stole Blarney", a parody of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" for UMass' Blarney Blowout
"How the Grinch Stole Blarney" pokes fun at annual UMass Amherst kerfuffle
MassLIVE.com - Every kid down in Zooville liked Blarney a lot/ But the Grinch, Who lived just East of campus, did NOT!

So begins "How the Grinch Stole Blarney" a cheeky take on the annual spring fling party at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the attendant community response. The poem owes its inspiration , obviously, to Springfield's own Dr. Seuss/ Theodore Geisel and his "How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  read more...

March 7, 2015
Blarney Blowout 2015: UMass students, Amherst officials review an uneventful day
MassLIVE.com - CBS 3 Springfield reporter Brian Schnee wraps up Blarney Blowout 2015 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  read more...

3.7.15 | Blarney Blowout 2015: Amherst town and university officials praise planning, police efforts for calm party atmosphere - MassLIVE.com

3.7.15 | Blarney Blowout Photos - MassLIVE.com 

3.7.15 | Amherst Fire Treat 19 at Concert, 1 Taken To Hospital - WGGB.com

3.7.15 | Blarney Blowout 2015: Amherst police report 3 arrests; 10 treated for injury or intoxication - MassLIVE.com

3.7.15 | Police, Residents Prepare for Blarney Blowout - WGGB.com

3.6.15 | On eve of Blarney Blowout, UMass, Amherst, police have heeded advice of Davis Report - MassLIVE.com

3.4.15 | Amherst Police Department Prepares for March 7 - AmherstMA.gov

2.25.15 | UMass Student Sues Police After 'Blarney Blowout' Arrest - HuffingtonPost.com

3.14.14 | 73 Arrested At Pre-St. Patrick's Day 'Blarney Blowout' Near UMass Amherst Campus - HuffingtonPost.com

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

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NWMIMT DEPLOYMENT | SSA BEDFORD LIVE BLOG

2/12/2015

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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!
It's the little things that matter | Photo Terry Dun
Empty lot, equipment deployed | Photo Terry Dun
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.

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Team dinner Bedford MA | Photo Terry Dun
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
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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
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NWMIMT operational day 5 | Operational period 8 | 13 team members are assisting MEMA's staging manager in the operation of 3 staging areas in Bedford Massachusetts | Our task includes dispatching and tracking heavy equipment assigned by various states to assist in snow removal and management | Team is in the process of crew rotation for the next 7 day cycle | Photo Terry Dun
Photo Tim Alben | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo Tim Alben | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo Karyn Polito | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Tim Alben | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo Mass National Guard
Photo Tim Alben | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo JD Hebert
Photo Cameron Dunbar | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo Cameron Dunbar | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo Cameron Dunbar | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo Cameron Dunbar | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo Cameron Dunbar | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo Cameron Dunbar | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo Cameron Dunbar | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo Cameron Dunbar | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo Cameron Dunbar | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo JD Hebert
Photo JD Hebert
Photo JD Hebert
Photo JD Hebert
Photo Terry Dun | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo Terry Dun | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo Terry Dun | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo Terry Dun | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo Terry Dun | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo Terry Dun | Hanscom Field Staging Area
Photo Terry Dun | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Dennis Nazzaro | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Dennis Nazzaro | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Terry Dun | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Terry Dun | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Terry Dun | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Kevin Rogers | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Kevin Rogers | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Kevin Rogers | Bedford MA Operations
Photo JD Hebert
Photo JD Hebert
Photo Kevin Rogers | Bedford MA Operations
Photo JD Hebert
Photo Kevin Rogers | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Kevin Rogers | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Terry Dun | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Kevin Rogers | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Kevin Rogers | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Kevin Rogers | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Terry Dun | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Terry Dun | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Terry Dun | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Terry Dun | Bedford MA Operations
Photo JD Hebert
Photo Mass National Guard
Photo BNN News
Photo Terry Dun | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Terry Dun | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Terry Dun | Bedford MA Operations
Photo TheNationsFirst
Photo Terry Dun | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Robert Strahan | Bedford MA Operations | Via Greenfield, Ma Police Department
Photo Terry Dun | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Terry Dun | Bedford MA Operations
Photo Terry Dun
Photo Terry Dun
Photo Terry Dun | Appreciation event
Photo Terry Dun | Bedford MA Operations

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.



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