EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
The Belmont Emergency Management Agency (BEMA) is an extension of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to coordinate emergency services with various state, local and federal agencies during a state of emergency or alert. During such emergencies/alerts, MEMA operates from their headquarters in Framingham and communicates with local emergency management agencies, such as Belmont’s, via radio, fax, message beepers, the Internet and telephone.
2002 has been a relatively quiet year for the Agency. There has been great anticipation of Federal grant money being made available to communities. It was hoped that this money would be available to prepare communities for disasters. The grant monies have not arrived. It is hoped that the grant money will be available in 2003. Some of the major accomplishments of the Agency are listed below.
1. The agency monitored Town emergency activities to maintain a readiness for a situation appropriate response.
2. The Agency reviewed the Town’s Comprehensive Emergency Plan and changes were submitted to MEMA.
3. Members of the agency attended an Emergency Management Conference in Worcester on emergency preparedness.
The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) was established and held its organizational meeting in December. This committee will begin active work next year in developing hazardous material plans for the Town.
I would like to thank Leo J. Saidnawey, my Assistant Director for his endless support. In addition, I would like to thank Mr. Robert Gad III, Firefighter Rick Nohl, and Mr. John Steeves for their continued support to BEMA. In addition I would like to thank all of the Town departments that have provided support to the Emergency Management Agency.
Respectfully submitted,
Assistant Chief David L. Frizzell, Emergency Management Director
| 
