With recent national FEMA changes, local action is becoming increasingly important in emergency and disaster response. Is your household truly ready? Take charge of your safety this National Preparedness Month by joining Boothbay Region Emergency Management Director John Oakes at 6 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Boothbay Fire Station (911 Wiscasset Road) for a free, practical community talk on disaster preparedness. 

“I'm a huge advocate of being prepared for disasters, and I think it's an easy thing to forget about, especially in Maine, where we haven't had a big hurricane in a very, very long time,” Oakes said. “I think that the people in our communities have changed a lot, and it's important to train for these things now before they happen.” 

The 2024 winter storms caused an estimated $90 million in damage to public infrastructure, highlighting hazards associated with extreme storms, flooding, and other disasters. Conversely, summertime droughts increase the risk of wildfires and other fire hazards. 

Being prepared for an emergency makes a difference. As an individual, join to get practical tips and resources to help guard your family. Attendees will also receive information to help build their own emergency plans. But disasters don’t stop at your front door. As a neighbor, learn how to work together to stay safe through theLincoln County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). 

Oakes said recent federal structure and policy changes have local impacts. Now, more emergency management will begin at the town and county level and move up. The CERT program offers a consistent approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on. It educates volunteers about local disaster preparedness and offers training in fire safety, team organization, medical organization, and light search and rescue. 

“It's about being prepared at the smallest level,” Oakes said. “So, being prepared in your household and, once your household is taken care of, how can you help your local community, and then it sort of grows out from there.” 

Members of the Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, and Southport fire departments will also be present to answer questions and share their perspectives. Boothbay Fire Chief David Pratt said preparedness is critical, even an emergency seems unlikely. 

“You never know what's going to happen,” he said. With over three decades of firefighting experience, Pratt added that participants may benefit from his and other responders’ firsthand knowledge of what to expect if a disaster strikes the area. 

This event is made possible by the Boothbay Region Climate Action Team, Sunrise Ecologic, and the towns of Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor. For more information: brclimate@gmail.com.