Fire marshal and emergency management coordinator updates supers during National Preparedness Month
It seems nearly every month has a theme, awareness, or promotion to its name. Some of them are incredibly worthy, and some are downright silly. September is no different, and the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors spent some time learning of an important on in its last scheduled business meeting.
Township Manager Eric Traub noted that, since September is Preparedness Month, nationwide, the township staff had taken time to update its online resources.
“I thought this would be a good opportunity for us to briefly share a couple of updates on things we’ve been doing here in Whitpain Township,” he said during the Sept. 17 meeting. Traub said that the new fire marshal had been busy assisting with these updates both in the community and online.
“We’ve been adding to the fire marshal’s website,” said Traub. “Now you can see we’ve added information for the public in terms of, whether it is safe grilling, lithium-ion battery disposal, placement of smoke alarms, or even how to safely charge your hover board, we have resources on there for you.”
Traub said that the team also added information on the township’s “Office of Emergency Management” website page to explain the office’s purpose and what the township’s Fire Marshal Michael Barnshaw does, not to mention how declarations of disaster are made in Whitpain.
“There are also links on there in terms of preparing your home for a disaster, or an emergency kit, things of that nature,” said Traub.
Barnshaw, who serves as the fire marshal and the emergency management coordinator for Whitpain Township, also presented to the supervisors about “Ready Montco” and how the county-wide system works.
“All emergency services in Whitpain Township are trying to make a push for everyone in Whitpain to sign up for ReadyMontco,” said Barnshaw. “It’s free for users. This is a great start to receive notifications on any type of emergency.”
Barnshaw added that nearly any update that the emergency crews in the community need to alert residents to, especially rapidly, will happen via this system.
“Whitpain Township Office of Emergency Management and the police department are also trained on how to send these notifications out,” said the fire marshal. “The goal is not to create an alert fatigue to the residents of Whitpain, so it’s only going to be high priority incidents and those types of alerts.”
Some items, like severe weather alerts or county-wide updates may also be provided through the ReadyMontco system.
“You can receive the communications through your device of choice,” said Barnshaw. Some options include email, text, push notifications, or even a phone call “if you decide that’s the option that works for you,” he said.
There is no cost to sign-up for the ReadyMontco alerts, however depending on individual service providers, some text messages may have associated fees through your selected wireless company. In addition to signing up for desired alerts, residents can also opt to download the app for iPhone or Android.
Barnshaw said he would recommend push notifications, as they alert people in the timeliest manner.
“In a high alert situation, the push notifications are going to be the best way for us to reach you,” he said to the community’s residents. He said that, in some emergencies, texts and phone calls may not go through, but a push notification would.
For those that travel the country often, Barnshaw said that the app also includes over 3,700 other municipalities in the United States. You can select to receive alerts from other towns if you wish to add them.
He said such notifications can be handy even on a vacation. Using reverse 911 technology, the system will pinpoint your location, even when out of the area, and alert you to emergencies you may be impacted by nearest you. Should you be sitting on the beach in North Carolina, for example, and a hurricane warning is issued, you would be notified as you are in the vicinity of the alerted area.
Those that wish to download the app or register for the program can scan the QR code below.
“It’s quick, easy, probably less than 10 minutes to set up an account,” said Barnshaw. Anyone with difficulties setting up ReadyMontco, or for more information or answers to questions about the system, can call Barnshaw at 610-277-2400, ext. 382 or email him at mbarnshaw@whitpaintownship.org.
For more information, you can also visit https://www.montgomerycountypa.gov/3311/ReadyMontco or view the video below.
