Monday, September 4, 2017

Preparedness in the Downeast district

The Downeast District continues to build strong relationships with our emergency preparedness partners through active participation in tabletop exercises.
Bar Harbor Airport held a full-scale airplane in the water scenario with the district liaison working in the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) for the event.
Castine conducted a table top exercise around a hurricane-type event that caused road closures to the peninsula and subsequent damage and contamination to the local drinking water infrastructure. Maine CDC staff provided consultation on boil order procedures and drinking water protocols for home owners and food establishments.
Although not as high a public health concern, both Gouldsboro and Bucksport reviewed their emergency operations plans around dammed waterways and then conducted table top exercises around high precipitation events, causing breaching and damage to the dams and potential flooding impacts on residences, roads, and infrastructure.

All in all, these were great opportunities for regional public health and public safety working with local communities to better prepare for potential realistic emergencies.