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Emergency Management

What We Do

The mission of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is to protect the lives and property of the citizens of New Canaan. The OEM plans and prepares for emergencies, coordinates emergency response and recovery, and collects and disseminates emergency information. In addition to supporting the Town’s emergency services, the OEM also coordinates emergency response from other local, state and federal agencies.  OEM activates an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) when conditions warrant, consisting of technology and personnel from involved departments to effectively coordinate town response actions and communicate with the public.  Volunteers from the town's CERT organization regularly participate in fielding inquiries from townspeople.  The EOC helps to provide maximum security for New Canaan residents under many different conditions, including:

•Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear & explosive emergency preparedness

•Critical resource shortages

•Demonstrations & civil unrest

•Earthquakes

•Infrastructure failures

•Power outages

•Severe weather

•Terrorism

•Transportation accidents

•Water failures & flood conditions

 
Preparing for Emergencies
OEM prepares and updates the local Emergency Operations Plans annually

•OEM conducts preparedness exercises to test plans and response techniques

Coordinating Emergency Response & Recovery
Emergency Operations Center-During major events, the EOC is the central point for information coordination and decision making.

OEM works to provide unified, accurate and timely information to the public. Information tools such as public address, reverse-911 outcall systems, press briefings, door-to-door notifications and electronic signs are utilized.

Following a major event,coordinates with Regional, State and Federal government agencies to speed recovery.


Contact Us
Main Number
203-594-4101


Staff

Russ Kimes, III
Director of Emergency Management
russ.kimes@newcanaanct.gov

Phil Sheibley
Deputy Director of Emergency Management
phil.sheibley@newcanaanct.gov 


The Need For Personal Preparedness Planning
Adequate preparation for emergencies is absolutely necessary for the protection of your homes and property, your family and yourself. You can begin this process by discussing with family members the types of emergencies that have happened in the past. Discuss what each member of your family should do in an emergency both when they are at home and away from home. 

The need to prepare for disasters is real and disasters disrupt the lives of hundreds of thousands each year and each one has lasting effects on people and property. Being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany disasters. Families and individuals should know what to do in the event of a fire and where to seek shelter during a tornado.