TOWN OF TURNER, MAINE

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

1. AUTHORITY

The authority for the provisions of this plan are contained in the Maine Civil Emergency Preparedness Act (37-B MRSA, Section 701 et. Seq.) Further authority is granted under municipal home rule (30-A MRSA, Section 3001 et. Seq.) and Article VIII Part 2 Section 1 of the Constitution of the State of Maine. Title 37-B MRSA Section 783 requires that "Each municipal, interjurisdictional, county, regional civil emergency preparedness agency, in consultation with the agency, shall prepare and keep a current disaster emergency plan for the area subject to its jurisdiction. That plan shall include … Identification of disasters, action to minimize damage, personnel, equipment and supplies and recommendations." Because this document is policy affecting operation of the municipal government and an ordinance imposed upon the citizenry, the Board of Selectmen, acting as the duly elected municipal officers of the Town of Turner claim exclusive right to develop and modify this plan. It shall not be subject to approval of the Turner Town Meeting.

A. Mission --- It is the mission of this plan to:

1. Provide the organization to ensure that notification is made to the general public of Turner that the threat for impending disaster is present.

2. To minimize the effects of a disaster once it has occurred.

3. Provide for the continuity of local government.

4. Cooperate with other municipalities and agencies governmental and non-governmental in meeting the needs of the citizenry of the Town of Turner before, during and after a disaster.

2. ORGANIZATION

A. Director of Disaster Services

The Emergency Management Agency Director or his/her designee shall serve as the Town's Director of Disaster Service (DDS). The Deputy DDS shall be the Town Manager. Should both of the EMAD or Town Manager be unavailable or incapacitated, the office of DDS shall automatically fall to the Fire Chief and then to Rescue Chief and then to Public Works Foreman. In the absence or incapacity of all of the above, the Board of Selectmen may appoint a DDS. The Board of Selectmen may remove the DDS by a majority vote.

B. Coordination with County EMA

The DDS shall strive to stay abreast of regional emergency management issues through the auspices of the Androscoggin County Emergency Management Agency. The DDS shall be the Town's Liaison with the County EMA office. The DDS should meet annually with County EMA director to review and update the local plan.

C. Compensation

The DDS shall receive compensation as may be approved for the EMA Director under the EMA budget as approved in each annual Turner Town Meeting. No other officers in the chain of command will receive additional compensation.

D. Emergency Appointment

The DDS may, in time of a declared disaster or impending emergency, appoint such officials as may be needed to carry out the town's emergency disaster response plan. Such appointments shall expire at the end of said disaster or emergency. The municipal offices are to be kept informed of such appointments in the most expeditious manner possible.

3. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

Many hazards are possible in the Town of Turner. Many are identified below.

A. Natural Hazard

Hurricanes Thunderstorms

Flooding Drought

Earthquake Wildfire

Winter Storm Erosion

Blight/Infestation

B. Technological Hazards

Civil/Political Disorder Epidemic Human

Hazardous Materials -Fixed Epidemic Animal

Hazardous Materials - Transportation Power Failure

Radiological Transportation Incident

Fire Terrorism

C. Population Groups at risk

SAD #52 Schools - Leavitt Area High School, Turner Elementary, Turner Primary and Tripp Middle School

Local Daycare Facilities

Turner Square Apartments

Disabled Families

Motorist on our Roads

Non-English speaking individuals

D. Vital Facilities

Town of Turner Municipal Facilities

SAD #52 Facilities

Local Churches

Local Businesses

Decoster Facilities, Maine Contract Farming & related complex facilities

DFD Russell Medical Center

4. IDENTIFICATION OF RESOURCES

A. Resources within the immediate control of local government

The facilities located in the Town Office

The facilities located in the Turner Fire Department

The facilities located in the Turner Rescue Department

The facilities located in the Turner Public Works Department

B. Resources present within Town, but not controlled by local government

The facilities of SAD #52

The facilities of local churches

The facilities of local grocery stores

The facilities of local hardware stores

The facilities of Twitchell's Airport

The facilities of local farming operations

The facilities of DFD Russell Medical Center

Equipment & manpower from local contractors:

K & K Construction, Inc Splash, Inc

Butcher Excavation, Inc Roy's Excavation

TRH & Sons Excavation J. R. Durgin Transport

Rowe & Sons Excavating Richardson Trucking

C. Resources present in nearby communities

Private or public rescue services (Lewiston, Auburn, Livermore, Buckfield)

Mutual Aid Fire Services (Each department within Androscoggin County)

CMMC Hospital & St. Mary's

Life Flight (Air Rescue)

Maine Department of Transportation - Dixfield

Maine State Police - Gray

Androscoggin County Sheriff

Androscoggin Emergency Management

National Guard Services

D. Demographics

Census Population (2000) - 4,972

Roads - Summer 70 miles - Winter 85 miles

Municipal Value - (2005) 323,000,000

Average Housing cost (est) $135,000

Route 4 as a major State Highway

Route 219 & 117 as State Roads

Lakes - Bear Pond, Pleasant Pond, Beal's Pond, Round Pond, Little Wilson Pond, Lard Pond

Farms - River Rise, Leavitt Farm, Hamel Farm, Caldwell Farm, Nezinscot River Farm, Brigeen Farm, Ricker Hill Orchards, Cooper Brothers, Roebuck's Sales, A. J. Decoster Egg Farm, BJA Farms, Claybrook Farms, Goodnow Jersey Farm, Ye Olde Farm Market, Leavitt Dairy Farm, Village Farm Produce Stand, Wauregan Farms, Greenwood Orchards

5. PLANNED RESONSES

The Town of Turner has many resources under its immediate control. When possible, the resources of local government will be utilized. The following outlines the response capabilities of the local government.

A. Alert & Warning - The DDS shall monitor the usual channels of communication through practical means in order to learn about any pending disaster or emergency. Once it is learned that the community faces some risk of a disaster or emergency the DDS shall notify the Town Manager, Fire Chief, Rescue Chief, Public Works Foreman and the Board of Selectmen through the most practical means.

B. Direction & Control - The DDS shall be in charge of the local emergency response. Delegation is made to the Fire Chief, Rescue Chief and Public Works Foreman for their various functions with coordination with the DDS. An emergency operations center will be established between the DDS and local operations at the most accommodating municipal complex.

C. Emergency Public Information - The DDS and through his/her designee shall post information as may be available about pending, current or completed disaster at the Turner Town Office, or at other designated public places.

D. Emergency Services - As described in the Resource section of this plan, emergency services are available form the Turner Fire Department, Turner Rescue, Turner Public Works, Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office, Maine State Police and other mentioned resources.

E. Evacuation - Should evacuation become necessary, the DDS shall notify local or state Law Enforcement, Fire, Rescue, Public Works to assist in moving evacuees to the appropriate shelter. Only a police officer has the authority to enforce a mandatory evacuation as provided by State Law.

F. Shelter - The town's designated shelter areas are the Turner Fire Rescue Barn or the DDS may make arrangements with other locations when necessary.

G. Resource Management - The DDS and other municipal departments shall utilize local government resources first in any disaster. During a declared disaster the DDS shall coordinate with other local officials to utilize private resources for response.

H. Radiological Protection - The likelihood of exposure to radiological contamination is relatively small, but still possible. In such event, the DDS shall notify the Androscoggin EMA and relinquish local control to that agency or its assigns.

I. Damage Assessment - The DDS, Town Manager and other town officials shall assess the damage of a disaster as soon as possible after the disaster is over. A complete report of damage to public property shall be prepared and submitted to Androscoggin County EMA.

J. Disaster Assistance - The Town Manager in coordination with the DDS shall apply for any disaster assistance for public property. Should any private citizen be due disaster assistance, said citizen shall be referred to the Androscoggin EMA, Federal EMA or other appropriate organization.

6. RESPONSE OPERATIONS

In the event of a disaster in the Town of Turner, the following response protocol is to take place:

A. Local Response

1. An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) shall be established. In the case of a localized emergency confined to a small section of town, the EOC maybe in the area of the emergency. If a relatively large section of town is affected, the EOC will be located at the Turner Fire /Rescue Barn, Town Office or other designated site by the DDS to sufficiently handle the disaster operations. Communications and backup power is of primary concern as to where the EOC will be located. The DDS shall appoint those officials necessary to staff the operations center.

2. The local emergency plan contained in the appendices will be implemented depending upon the type of disaster, which may be occurring or about to occur.

3. Warning to the public shall be made. The DDS shall adhere to the protocol established in the appendices to this plan.

4. The DDS should also stay in contact with the Androscoggin County EMA on a regular basis. The DDS or his/her designee shall keep the Turner Board of Selectmen informed of the type of emergency, the response needed, the response, which has or will be taken and an estimated cost of that response.

5. The DDS shall ensure that documentation of all aspects for service and the response to that request is kept. Such documentation shall include the time of request, the type of request, who provided the service, and any logs of events.

6. The DDS shall determine when the emergency has ended, when the EOC will be dismantled, and when the emergency response staffing may cease.

7. After cession of the Emergency, the DDS shall direct the damage assessment program by utilizing what resources might be available within the town government. This damage assessment will be conducted in accordance with MEMA and FEMA guidelines. Submission of damage reports to the Town Manager shall be made in a timely manner in order to submit such reports to the County EMA, MEMA and FEMA.

8. After the damage assessments are completed and submitted to the appropriate agencies, the DDS and any other key personnel shall report to the Turner Board of Selectmen on what actions should be taken to mitigate future emergencies, if any.

7. REVIEW AND AMENDMENT

1. Periodic Review - This Emergency Response Plan and its appendices shall be reviewed by the DDS, Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, Fire Chief, Rescue Chief and Pubic Works Foreman on a bi-annual basis (once every two years) for matters which require updating or amendment. The updated version shall be submitted to the Androscoggin County EMA for review at the time of its update.

2. Amendment - Any provisions of this document may be amended by a recorded majority vote of the Turner Board of Selectmen. The Selectmen reserve the exclusive authority for enactment of this plan.

3. Severability - If any part of this plan is declared to be illegal or unconstitutional by a court or competent jurisdiction, the other parts of this plan shall remain in effect.

APPENDIX - A

Emergency Information Checklist

Below are suggested actions for the Turner DDS and other Officials during the various emergency phases. Changes may be made depending on the situation.

Ensure that all information is clear, confirmed, and approved by appropriate authority before release to the media or pubic. Do Not release unconfirmed information or speculate on the extent of the emergency.

Monitor news programs and review news articles for accuracy. Correct serious misinformation whenever possible.

Provide sufficient staffing and telephones to handle incoming media and public inquiries (rumor control) and gather status information.

Ensure that official spokespersons are thoroughly briefed about all aspects of the emergency.

Keep the Board of Selectmen/DDS informed of all actions taken or planned.

Maintain a sufficient log and file of all events and information referencing the emergency.

Keep the Androscoggin County EMA Office informed of all information released.

APPENDIX - B

LOCAL FACILITIES WHICH CAN ACT AS SHELTERS

Turner Fire/ Rescue Barn - 19 General Turner Hill - Rescue Chief - Laurel Gagne 225- 3987 or Ross Gagne -DDS -225-5325, Michael Arsenault - Fire Chief - 224-7788

Leavitt Area High School - Lower Street - Superintendent - Darlene Burdin - 225-3406 or the Business Manager - 225-3406

Contact the American Red Cross and alert them to the possible need for shelter.

795-4004.

Activate necessary shelters

Ensure shelters are adequately stocked and staffed.

Keep a record of shelterees, names, addresses etc.

Ensure security is provided for shelters

Provide communications link between shelter and EOC

Upon authorization, release shelterees

Clean and return shelter to original condition

APPENDIX - C

RADIATION OR HAZARDOUS WASTE INCIDENT

When arriving at a scene observe the situation from a safe distance, park vehicles upwind, a minimum distance of 500 feet is recommended.

Confirm location, affected people, animals and environment, check wind direction, prevailing weather, and identify placards for product information.

Identify chemical name and form (solid, liquid or gas).

Establish a control zone (hot line) 200 or more feet from the incident. (Increase zone distance downwind). Isolate the hazard area in all directions. Follow enclosed layout sheet.

Contacts Androscoggin County EMA - 784-0147

Androscoggin County Sheriff - 784-1262

Maine State Police - 1-800-482-0730

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - 1-800-432-1156

Radiation Assistance Center - UKNOWN

CHEMTREC 1-800-424-9300

Maine Department of Environmental Protection 1-800-482-0777

State Emergency Response Commission 1-800-452-4664

National Response Center 1-800-424-8802

Refer to the ORANGE - Emergency Response Guidebook (DOT) for Initial Response to Hazardous Materials Incident.

Serve as a temporary on-scene communications point until fire department establishes an incident command post.

Consider evacuation from the immediate affected area and establish a containment area for equipment and personnel that may be contaminated.

Provide dispatcher with a report of findings and safe access routes and the size of the hazard area.

DO NOT ENTER INCIDENT AREA WITHOUT APPROPRIATE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT.

DATED: ___ July 2, 2007 ________________________, at TURNER, MAINE,

ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY, STATE OF MAINE

BY: Turner Board of Selectmen

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Lawrence House, Chairman Jody Goodwin

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Joan Bryant-Deschenes Angelo Terreri

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Kurt Youland