Scituate Coastal Coalition

Map Your Neighborhood

Hope for the best - Plan for the worst  - Until help arrives!

   The Scituate Fire Department, Police Department, and Department of Public Works plan and prepare for everyday emergencies. However, these emergency responders can be overwhelmed during a major catastrophe. The reality is that most neighborhoods will be on their own for the first few hours, possibly days, following a disaster. If people have been hurt, if property has been damaged, the real first responders will be you and your neighbors.

Introducing the Map Your Neighborhood Program

(MYN)

    Created in the state of Washington, the Map Your Neighborhood program is designed to help neighbors assist one another following a disaster. In the next few weeks your beach association, in cooperation with the Scituate Police Department, Fire Department and Board of Health, will introduce you to the Map Your Neighborhood Program. This program will be implemented by your neighbors assigned by your Association President. We will be mapping each property for the following:

• Location of water, gas and or propane shutoffs
• Verify neighbors who may need extra help such as the elderly, those with a disability and information on caregiver (if applicable), or information for  children who may be home alone.
• Inventory talents/skills of residents (childcare skills, elderly care skills, plumber, electrician, etc.)
• Inventory special equipment (generator, chain saws, etc.)

Once this data is collected, the health information will be forwarded to the Scituate Fire Department, with the remaining data being kept by the association president. 

You will be given information on how to prepare your property, family and your pets in the event of a major disaster. Information will be included on packing emergency kits and what to take with you in the event you need to evacuate your home.

We hope that you are as enthusiastic about this program as we are, and look forward to working with you to complete this project. Remember, in a disaster your most immediate source of help are the neighbors living around you.



      September is   

National Preparedness Month

The following site gives you tips on making a plan, keeping your home and your family safe in the event of an emergency.

http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07index.html

This site is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Hurricane Preparedness and Response.

http://www.emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes



Scituate a Storm Ready Community

On Thursday, July 30,2009, Scituate officially became a Sotrm Ready Community by the National Weather Service Storm Ready team.  There are only seven other such communities so designated in Massachusetts. A Storm Ready community is recognized by the National Weather Service as one that has demonstrated excellent preparedness and has state of the art communications to make citizens aware of impending situations such as storms. 

TOWN OF SCITUATE MASSACHUSETTS

West Nile Virus Update

Mosquitos with West Nile Virus have been found in Cohasset. Most people who contract the virus will have no or mild symptoms according to the Mass. Dept. of Public Health.  People over the age of 50 have the highest risk of severe infection. 

People are advised to limit exposure at dawn and dusk, wear long-sleeves and long pants, use repellants, fix screens and eliminate standing water.

The state hotline is 1-866-Mass-WNV, (1-866-627-7968) at Mass. DPH. Fact sheets on the virus and repellants are available on the state website:www.mass.gov/dph/wnv and the Bd. of Health page on the town website.

FREE Mosquito spraying is available from the Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project by calling  1-781-585-5450 or faxing 1-781-582- 1276. Their website is www.plymouthmosquito.org.




Mark Your Calendar!

2/15/2012- Next meeting of the Scituate  Coastal Coalition will take place at the GAR Hall on Country Way. The meeting will begin promptly at 6:45pm.