Category: EMA News

Aroostook County EMA News and Information

Tropical Storm Lee to affect our Area.

During and after a Tropical Storm, you may need supplies to keep your family safe and healthy. Remember that a Tropical Storm could cut off your power and water supply. You also may not be able to drive because of damage to your car. Roads may be flooded or blocked. Gather emergency supplies. That’s why it’s best to be prepared—stock up on everything you might need now. Be sure to prepare the following: Get your car ready. Make sure your car is...

Meet Kim Champagne, AKEMA’s new Finance – Planning Associate

Kim received her BS-Accounting from Bryant University in Smithfield, RI. She has 30 plus years of public accounting experience. Her and husband of 30 years, relocated to Caribou in 2017.  When they are not working, they like to spend their time with their son and their animals, both enjoy a quiet lifestyle.

MEET Derrick Ouellette, AKEMA’s new Deputy Director

Derrick comes to Aroostook EMA excited to provide assistance to its citizens and other public safety entities. At a young age he always had an interest in public safety, because of the exposure he had from family members involved within it. He began volunteering and gaining work experience when he joined the county CERT team almost 10 years ago. He then started volunteering for FIRE and EMS departments eventually leading to Full time status. Derrick, originally from Fort Kent now...

2023 Theme: Take Control in 1, 2, 3

National Preparedness Month is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time.  The Ready Campaign’s 2023 National Preparedness Month theme is “Take Control in 1, 2, 3”. The campaign will focus on preparing older adults for disasters, specifically older adults from communities that are disproportionally impacted by the all-hazard events, which continue to threaten the nation. We know older adults can face greater risks when it...

Back to School – Transportation Safety Tips

Whether children walk, ride their bicycle, or take the bus to school, it is extremely important that they take proper safety precautions. Here are some tips to make sure your child safely travels to school:  Walkers » Review your family’s walking safety rules and practice walking to school with your child. ● Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available; when on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic ● Before you cross the street, stop, and look...

THUNDERSTORMS!

Here are some definitions and guidelines to follow to help keep you and your family safe, during a thunderstorm: Severe Thunderstorm Watch – issued when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms, people located in and around the watch area should keep an eye to the sky and listen to their NOAA weather radio all hazards or tune to local broadcast media for further weather information. The watch is intended to give you time to prepare, time to...

Dew Point vs. Humidity

Dew Point vs. Humidity The dew point is the temperature where the air needs to be cooled to (at constant pressure) to achieve a relative humidity (RH) of 100%. At this point the air cannot hold more water in the gas form. If the air were to be cooled even more, water vapor would have to come out of the atmosphere in the liquid form, usually as fog or precipitation. The higher the dew point rises, the greater the amount...

Keep an eye out on your Dog this Summer!

While our dogs may love basking in the sunshine with us, this time of year means we need to take extra precautions to prevent them from heatstroke or heat exhaustion. This is especially true for flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Shih Tzus. None of us like to see our pets suffering from the heat. So, when summer temperatures rise, we need to be sure to provide them with easy ways to stay cool. Signs that your dog is overheated...

Ten Hot Weather Safety Tips:

1. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids; drink about 16 ounces before starting and 5 to 7 ounces every 15 or 20 minutes. 2. Avoid dehydrating liquids. Alcohol, coffee, tea and caffeinated soft drinks can hurt more than help. 3. Wear protective clothing. Lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing helps protect against heat. Change clothing if it gets completely saturated. 4. Pace yourself. Slow down and work at an even pace. Know your own limits and ability to work safely in...

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...