Category: Uncategorized

It’s National Volunteer Week!!!

It’s National Volunteer Week, and AKEMA and area EMS & Fire Departments extend they’re thanks to all the volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, rescue workers, and support personnel who make our communities better every day. This is a great week to recognize the work of the volunteers in our community as well as plan initiatives for supporting current membership and recruiting more volunteers. Of the more than one-million firefighters in the US, 65% of them are volunteers, according to data from the...

AKEMA Speaks at Aroostook Area on Aging Civic Engagement 2024

Thank You to the Aroostook Agency on Aging for allowing us to participate in their Civic Engagement 2024, County Government, round table discussions. Citizens are more aware as to what Aroostook County Emergency Management Agency does for our County and State. We spoke on topics such as Preparedness, Mitigation, Response and Recovery in the field of Emergency Management.

Caribou Tech & Aroostook EMA

Members of the Aroostook County Emergency Management Agency visited students of the Caribou Technology Center today to discuss Hazardous Materials Awareness and First Responder Awareness Training. Students from Mr. Alther’s Fire Service Class and Mrs. Baker’s Criminal Justice Class spent a few hours learning about Haz Mat precautions, procedures, and terminology. They also spent some time covering what EMA does exactly for our community.  The Class discussed everything from what the numbers and symbols on DOT placards represent to Unified...

Generator Safety Tips!!!

Generators are emergency equipment that provide a secondary source of power when there is an electric failure. Generators can be helpful during a power outage, but they present serious health and safety concerns. Safety Tips Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use the generator. Carbon monoxide poisoning ​​​​​​​Electrocution or electric shock ​​​​​​​Fire

Chimney Fires Destroy Homes

Creosote buildup may not look dangerous, but it ignites at a mere 451 degrees F, and once it starts burning, it expands like foam sealant. In less than a minute, it builds to more than 2,000 degrees F and can engulf your entire chimney and destroy your home. Even if you clean your chimney regularly, you should still have it inspected by a qualified chimney sweeper once a year. Certified chimney sweeps are trained to recognize chimney deterioration and venting problems and can assess your fireplace...

Caribou School Reunification Drill

The Aroostook County Emergency Management Agency would like to thank the Caribou Community School and the Caribou High School for allowing us to participate in their first practice of a full scale evacuation of students and staff.  AKEMA staff observed the loading of students and staff onto buses and the unloading at the school’s relocation sites, to practice attendance and the reunification process. It was a very successful practice run and both students and staff did a great job. The Caribou...

Food safety tips for packing lunch box:

Before beginning any food preparation, always wash your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds and dry with a disposable paper towel or clean hand cloth. Clean food contact surfaces (e.g., countertop, cutting boards, utensils, etc.) often, between tasks, and if they become contaminated. Wash food contact surfaces with hot, soapy water and either air dry or use a clean cloth, or disposable paper towel to dry. Sanitizers can be used for added protection. Clean lunch boxes often...