News – Emergency Preparedness

Senator Anne Gobi announced as Director of Rural Affairs for the Commonwealth

The creation of the Director of Rural Affairs position was one of the top priorities of the MA Rural Policy Advisory Commission. The quick action to implement that priority by the Healey-Driscoll administration was a significant win for Franklin County…

Drought Conditions Worsen in CT River Valley

On Tuesday, August 9th, MA Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Beth Card escalated the Connecticut River Valley to a Level 3-Critical Drought. View water conservation tips, continue to follow…

Millers River Watershed in Critical Drought Condition

Due to five months of below-normal rainfall, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Kathleen Theoharides declared a Level 3 – Critical Drought in the Southeast Region of the Commonwealth and…

What is the state of emergency preparedness in Franklin County?

The Emergency Preparedness Program, with input from selectboards, town administrators, police, fire, emergency medical services, public health, and emergency managers, has completed its report on the state of emergency preparedness…

Franklin County Citizen Corps Transitions

As of July 1st, the Regional Preparedness Program no longer coordinates the Franklin County Citizen Corps. In order to create a more robust team of volunteers, the Berkshire Regional Planning…

New Census Data on local population

The latest population estimate by county shows that Franklin County’s population declined from 2000 to 2017 by about 670 people (or <1%), while the state and nation grew by 4.8%…

Trainings Prepare First Responders

First responders face increasingly dangerous situations when they respond to calls in today’s world of growing violence. It is important that they be kept informed of emerging trends and hazardous…

Hazmat response tested in Whately

The Franklin and Hampshire County Regional Emergency Planning Committees (REPCs) participated in a joint hazardous materials response functional exercise at Whately Elementary School on September 17th. Members of several Franklin…

HAZMAT AWARENESS TRAINING – For First Responders and Public Safety Professionals

Thursday, June 23, 2016 AT TWO LOCATIONS – MORNING AND EVENING OPTIONS: Montague Public Safety Building 180 Turnpike Rd, Turners Falls, MA 01376 at 0900-1300 hrs OR Shelburne Falls Fire…

WRHSAC & FBI Host Symposium

The Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council (WRHSAC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), hosted an informational symposium on active shooter incidents in March at the Deerfield Academy. More…