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Jodi Feidt: Disaster Coordinator
Joe Murray: Assistant Disaster Coordinator
Good day everyone,
I am quite sure by now the news of the Newtown Connecticut shooting has reached everyone.
In all my years as a first responder, I cannot imagine what these folks are going through. But I know that in light of this tragedy, more training, and safeguards need to be put in place to keep our children safe.
You can rest assured that even though we can never be fully prepared for these events, I will be working with our own Colden Elementary School and First responders, to train, be safer, and how to manage these difficult responses, if it ever happens in our own back yard.
Recovery from these tragedies takes many years and some will never recover.
This holiday season hug your children, parents, friends and even the people you don't know to well, just a little longer, let them know how glad your are to have them in your life.
Thank you.
Jody Feidt
Emergency Manager
Town of Colden
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Important Information about smoke detectors.
Good afternoon everyone,
As the Town of Colden Emergency Manger, from time to time I find things that are of importance to everyone. Last Sunday March 25, on "NBC dateline, a segment aired on smoke detectors. It is something I think we should all watch and pay close attention 2. It tests many different smoke detectors, and also does a study on children and how they sleep through smoke alarms.
I can't tell you how concerned I was after seeing this segment!!! I would like to pass along this information to you. watch and see for yourself.
Go to: NBS Dateline smoke detectors part 2 that aired on March 25.
PART 1
PART 2
It definatly is an eye opener for all us and especially for parents and grand parents.
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| Heath Rd Drilling (Cecla) site
At the close of the operational period on July 23,2012 (I left
the operational period open until security left the site) There
had been no re[ported accidents or injuries on the site. No
reported catastrophic failures, chemical spills, or air quality
alerts.
The drilling site was secure throughout; with a short time period
that Union Drilling Company WAS allowing, civilians on site
without proper identification. We were informed of the problem
and we believe it only happened on 1 day of the event.
Verification was verbally received on July 12 at the regular
Town Board meeting that there was no “Fracking”
being done at this site. Nor, had NFG deviated from the original
plan of Horizontal drilling and storage. It also was verified
that the original chemical list had been given, had not been
added to or deviated from.
The event operational period was opened on June 3rd, and closed
on July 23, 2012.
Recommendations on further Drilling
Communications for the affected residence in the area of the
drilling site could be improved. This MUST be done by National
Fuel Gas, preferably with a follow up by Town of Colden representative.
Many people in the area stated they did not know what was going
on until the drilling rig and hay bales were brought in. Communications
in these events could save all of us many problems.
National Fuel Gas and the subcontractors SHOULD NOT USE Heath
Road from Hayes Hollow Rd west to Rt 240. There are many alternate
routes around that area, that are notably safer. Failure of
heavy equipment, on that road could compromise life and property
safety, not only to residence, but to site personnel. That particular
road in not equipped to handle oversize, overweight equipment.
The consequences of failure could devastate the area.
The meeting with the Emergency Manager, environmental committee,
and Supervisor, went very well, NFG brought appropriate personnel
to answer all of our questions and concerns. I hope we can continue
to have more open communications in the future events.
The meetings with the local first responders went equally as
well. The first responders were prepared, for failures on and
off the drilling site. NFG again, was available to answer questions
and concerns, in regard to chemicals, fire, and explosion, first
aid on site, security, Personal protective equipment, and failures
that may occur.
Emergency Management would like the right to see the drilling
site. The site maps provided were very detailed and helpful.
However, Once a week the Emergency manager would like to see
the site not to inspect for problems, but, to become familiar
with the site and also the process. NFG should keep in mind
that Whatever information is obtained by emergency management
will be kept in confidence unless it becomes a matter of life
or property safety.
The first responders were given MSDS provided by NFG, to be
made available to ALL fire and EMS personnel. These sheets will
be helpful, in first aid, accident, injury, and fire. First
responders as well as Emergency Management maintained copies
of the MSDS sheets and Hazardous materials guide books in The
Emergency Mangers vehicle, Fire Chiefs vehicles and ALL responding
fire and EMS apparatus.
Erie County Haz-mat (ECHO) and Erie County Emergency Management
were also supplied copies of the MSDS, and IAP from the Emergency
Manager. It is an important part of Our IAP that all responding
agencies directly involved, have the necessary information,
to make our response as safe and effective as possible.
The lines of communication between NFG and the Town should be
a little more in depth in future events. Many questions that
were asked during the event could not be answered by the Communications
liaison for NFG. Understanding that we are not experts in this
process should have prompted NFG to help us become more familiar
with their practices. Also, understanding that public attitude
and perception makes NFG skeptical of communication.
Final remarks
I would like to thank the Supervisor and the Town board for
allowing us to be prepared. The IAP that was instituted for
the event fully prepared the Town for catastrophic failure.
Even though we can never be prepared for everything, you as
the Town Officials should have rested a little easier knowing
that, in the event of even a small failure, we were prepared
and ready to tackle the challenges that came with this event.
The residence as well should be proud of this administration
for the preparation that took place for this event. The safeguards
that were put in place should be repeated, and improved in future
events.
Every day and night and a few extra drives by the site, insured
from a distance there were no concerns for Emergency Management.
Preparation and planning are the first steps to keeping our
residence safe. Prevention (or mitigation) is the next step
to successful events.
Response and recovery thankfully were not needed for this event.
In the event of catastrophic failure, procedures and safeguards
were in place for safe evacuation, transportation, security,
shelter, air quality monitoring, and safety of life and property
involved.
Many thanks for the cooperation of : National Fuel Gas, Colden
Supervisor Annie Hoffman, Colden Town Board Members, Colden
Fire District, Erie County Hazardous materials organization
(ECHO). Erie County Emergency Management.
Thank you,
Respectfully submitted
Jody Feidt
Town of Colden
Emergency Manger
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Drought advisory in the area
Hello everyone,
In light of the recent Drought advisory in the area, I have included
some fire safety advice for summer time camp fires and controlled
burns.
As the grass in our beautiful area gets drier, a running car in
the drive way that exhausts on the lawn or a lit cigarette tossed
out a window can cause significant damage landing in extremely
dry grass, dry leaves, wood piles or mulch.
As the need for rain intensifies, along with the extremely dry
conditions the threat or fires intensifies.
I would like to encourage everyone to make sure, all of your controlled
burns and camp fires are safely monitored.
Keep a water supply if available close by. A garden hose can help
extinguish a SMALL fire. If the fire starts become uncontrollable,
DIAL 9-1-1 As soon as possible to prevent further damage and injury
from the fire.
I have listed some important information below in regard to fires.
PLEASE BE SAFE!!!!!!
If you have any questions or problems Please feel free to call
me. 716-628-7518 I will be glad to help.
Thanks for your help in this extreme situation
Please look for updates for extreme weather situations on facebook:
Town of Colden Emergency Management
Jody Feidt
Town of Colden Emergency Manager
People start most wildfires - find out how you can promote and
practice wildfire safety.
Contact your local fire department, health department, or forestry
office for information on fire laws.
*Make sure that fire vehicles can get to your home. Clearly mark
all driveway entrances and display your name and address.
*Report any hazardous conditions that could cause a wildfire.
*Teach children about fire safety. Keep matches out of their reach.
*Post fire emergency telephone numbers.
*Ensure adequate accessibility by large fire vehicles to your
property.
*Plan several escape routes away from your home - by car and by
foot.
*Talk to your neighbors about wildfire safety. Plan how the neighborhood
could work together after a wildfire. Make a list of your neighbors'
skills such as medical or technical. Consider how you could help
neighbors who have special needs such as elderly or disabled persons.
Make plans to take care of children who may be on their own if
parents can't get home.
Follow Local Burning Laws
*Before burning debris in a wooded area, make sure you notify
local authorities and obtain a burning permit.
*Use an approved incinerator with a safety lid or covering with
holes no larger than ¾ inch.
*Create at least a 10-foot clearing around the incinerator before
burning debris.
*Have a fire extinguisher or garden hose on hand when burning
debris |
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