Emergency management updates warming-center planning and school tabletop exercises after winter storms
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Summary
Emergency Management staff reported repeated snowstorms prompted refined outreach and messaging, the governor's cold-weather protocol ended, and the office is planning warming/cooling center coordination and tabletop exercises with schools.
Michelle from Emergency Management told commissioners that repeated snowstorms in recent weeks led staff to refine messaging and outreach tools. She reported the governor's cold-weather protocol ended without extension and said the office is coordinating with partners on warming and cooling center planning, including a possible site at the Seth Norwalk Community Center and outreach through houses of worship for residents who may not use municipal sites.
Michelle said she has met with the public schools to plan a tabletop exercise for district staff and will later expand to building-level emergency teams; she also suggested asking libraries and police community rooms to track the number of residents seeking warming resources to help determine whether to expand center capacity.
Commissioner Howard Dixon asked about outreach to residents who might refuse shelter during cold weather; Michelle described ongoing referrals through partners such as Open Doors and noted some residents prefer nonmunicipal sites. Commissioners praised the outreach and asked staff to continue tracking demand.
