2007 Annual Report - Town of Wilton

Emergency PreparednessEmergency planning and preparationcontinues to be a major focus for the Town,involving all public safety departments, healthand school officials, as well as volunteeremergency workers, emergency medicaltechnicians and CERT team members. Anumber of accomplishments occurred in thisarea addressing policy drafting, personnel,training, and equipment issues.The Town’s emergency operations plan wasupdated, revised, reviewed and approvedby Connecticut’s Department of EmergencyManagement and Homeland Security. Thisupdate was an important goal and we werepleased to receive a complimentary letter fromGovernor Jodi Rell recognizing our emergencyplanning accomplishments.Changes occurred in the Fire Department’spersonnel and fleet. A new Deputy Fire Chiefwas hired, and he has been rigorously workingto enhance operations management and staffdevelopment. Two new fire engines weredelivered this year and put into service. Our fireprotection fleet is now well equipped with thebest and most modern apparatus available.In September, a very successful emergencyservices day was organized at the TownHall Complex. Emergency service unitsdemonstrated equipment, rescue operations,SWAT team procedures and recommendedhome emergency preparation supplies.Connecticut’s State Police also thrilledthe crowds by demonstrating their rescuehelicopter. It was a great day and fun for all.In October, we had our first influenza/pandemicflu shot drill using Miller and Driscoll Schoolsas the inoculation site. It was a very successfulexercise with over 500 citizens inoculatedquickly proving mass inoculation procedures, ifever required in the future, would be possible.The Town plans to continue various emergencydrills in the future to sharpen our skills andto be prepared for various potential weatherrelated,public health or other disasters.Utilizing an Emergency Management andHomeland Security grant, the Town acquireda reverse 911 message system, that whenprogrammed, will provide an updatedcapability to send emergency messages tothe community as a whole or to selectedgeographical segments of the community.To build our shelter resources, we conductedshelter training for appropriate personnel andvolunteers. We also acquired additional cotsand blankets to assist displaced citizens duringa severe storm or other major emergency.Town FacilitiesDuring the year, the stadium and fields projectwas completed. The visitor and home standswere opened for public use, a complete newtrack surface was installed, team rooms werecompleted in time for the first varsity homefootball game and a new concession stand andlavatory facilities were finished well ahead of theAdministration3