With the days of late fall becoming shorter and colder, it’s time to be prepared for the cold and storms that lie ahead. Houses and vehicles ”“ and closets, drawers and pantries ”“ need attention before the uncertainty of December arrives.
Even November can bring harsh conditions, so it was good to see the Maine Emergency Management Agency overseeing a statewide drill at the end of October. Volunteers and the York County Emergency Management Agency collaborated with other groups and agencies to deal with the theoretical emergencies posed by a fierce ice storm that closed roads and left 45,000 in York County without power.
As we learned in 2008 and 1998, this kind of scenario is likely to occur every so often. On those occasions and countless smaller crises over the years, Mainers have largely avoided serious hardship because emergency agencies, state and local government departments, power companies, businesses, health care organizations and individuals have been prepared.
The arduous 24-hour drill held last week by the Maine Emergency Management Agency provides reassurance that gear and personnel are ready for the difficult tests that may lie ahead.
But what about our own preparations? There is no better time than a calm November day to take an inventory of the supplies and tools that we will count on until brighter days return, sometime in 2010.
— Questions? Comments? Call 282-1535 or contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at nickc@journaltribune.com or City Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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