The following Official Town Press Release comes to you courtesy of the Greenwich Community and Police Partnership (“CAPP”).
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Caroline Calderone Baisley or Michael S. Long, Director
Director of Health Division of Environmental Services
Tel [203] 622-7836 Tel [203] 622-7838
March 15, 2010
For Immediate Release
RESPONSE TO STORM FLOODING and Power OUTAGES
The inclement weather that moved into the lower Fairfield County area last weekend caused local flooding and power outages. The Greenwich Department of Health advises residents to keep the phone numbers listed below handy, listen to local news radio (WGCH 1490AM) and utilize information from the Town’s website (www.greenwichct.org) for additional information. The Town may also send a recorded message to your home through the new emergency information system.
- TO REPORT ONLY EMERGENCIES – For all Police, Fire and EMS emergencies, dial 911.
The following information has been assembled for the general public:
Emergency Supplies
· Candles, flashlights and battery-powered radios
· First Aid Items: bandages, blankets, First Aid handbook and all special medicines
· A supply of non-perishable goods that require no cooking or refrigeration and a can opener
· A minimum of one-gallon of water per person a day
· Materials such as wire, rope, chlorine disinfectant, fire extinguishers, extra blankets, lumber and sandbags
Storm Conditions
Power Outages
Storm conditions can bring high winds, torrential rain, flooding and power outages when storm warnings are in effect, stay tuned to the radio (local radio WGCH 1490 AM) or television Channel 12 for official bulletins. Keep a battery-powered radio handy, stay indoors, travel only if necessary. Motor vehicles should be kept off the street so emergency response crews can access the area to clear trees, service wires and respond to medical emergencies.
Power outages can pose health hazards. Community shelters will be opened and available if needed. During power outages:
· Unplug your appliances
· Generators should be used with caution. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and NEVER operate a generator indoors. DO Not supply generator power to your home’s main line as you may injure a utility employee. Be aware of pooled water at all times.
· Conserve fuel and water. A few large containers can be filled with warm water for an emergency supply.
· Observe health precautions when issued
· Do not use charcoal grills indoors or gas stoves as a source of heat. Either one can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
· Fireplaces may be used as long as they are properly vented
· Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed. When anticipating a power failure, set refrigerator and freezer temperatures to a colder setting to build up a cooling reserve. With the door closed, fully stacked freezers will keep for two days, while half full freezers will keep food for one day. Dry ice can be used safely in freezers; however, gloves must be worn in handling and proceed as recommended.
· All thawed food may be cooked if maintained below 45o, otherwise it should be discarded. It is not recommended to refreeze any food once it has thawed.
· Refrigerated food, especially perishable items such as eggs, milk, fish, meat and poultry, should be maintained at 45o, or below. Foods should be cooked or discarded after three hours of not being maintained at proper temperatures. All stuffed meats and poultry should be discarded. Any doubt concerning food items, discard or contact the Division of Environmental Health at 622-7838, to discuss certain situations.
Flooding:
During a storm, flood waters may enter your home or flood your property.
- If your home or workplace is flooding, turn off the furnace and the gas valve at the appliance. Do not handle energized electrical equipment in wet areas. If meter goes under water, shut off the gas valves and all appliances. Be sure to have the electrical system thoroughly checked and repaired before use. Additional information can be obtained by calling Connecticut Natural Gas at 203‑869‑6900.
- Never try to cross a flooded area on foot. The water may be unsanitary and any fast running water could sweep you away.
- If you are in a car, avoid driving through floodwaters. Fast water could sweep your car away. However, if you are caught in fast rising waters and your vehicle stalls, leave the car.
- Private wells that have been flooded must be disinfected before use. It is important to wait until flood waters have receded to the point where waste disposal and septic systems can operate normally. A well drilling company can arrange this service – drink bottled water in the meantime.
- Wait until flood waters are below basement level before trying to drain or pump the basement.
- Never allow children to play in flood waters. Clean all toys and equipment with a disinfectant or discard them after contamination with flood waters.
- All clothing, curtains, bedding, etc. should be washed with hot, soapy water, than bleached if possible. Furniture and floors may be rinsed with clean water after washing with soap and water; disinfect if possible.
· Do not handle electrical equipment in wet areas
· Wear protective clothing while cleaning up debris
· All food items exposed to flood waters should be discarded. Cans and conventional jars free of rust or dents must be washed and sanitized before they are opened. If you are in doubt, throw it out rather than risk disease.
· Cooperate with local officials.
Local Non-Emergency Phone Numbers:
Greenwich Department of Health, Division of Environmental Health 622-7838/622-7842
Greenwich Fire Department non-emergency 622-8087
Greenwich Police Department non-emergency 622-8000
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Service
– American Medical Response (AMR) 1-800-379-7700
Department of Parks and Recreation Tree Division 622-1429
Greenwich Chapter, American Red Cross 869-8444
on Mar 16th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
I would be most interested in reader response to the Town Health Dept. suggestions.
Did anyone get helpful update/emergency info from either WGCH or the Town website?
I tried both in vain. WGCH was off the air. The last time I tried it, I got Sunday Afternoon Polka Party from Clearview.
At least CT_DOT and others are using Twitter and TweetPhotos.
Would it be too much to ask Mr. Tesei, DPW, Highway Dept and our Dan W, our underpaid Emergency Manager to do the same?
In big emergencies, Verizon Wireless and M.Twitter.com (twitter mobile) seem to be the best way to get through.
We saw it work in Haiti and Chile.
on Mar 18th, 2010 at 8:54 am
With regard to Mr. Finkbeiner’s comment, WGCH Radio was off the air for about 24 hours due to the power outage which affected not just our tower/transmitter site but also the station’s broadcast facility on Mason Street.
I’m not sure what he means by his statement “the last time I tried it I got Sunday Afternoon Polka Party from Clearview.” We do not air a Polka show in the afternoon nor do we have any affiliation with Clearview(sic). I would suggest that he probably tuned in a radio station in Stamford in error.
Our continuous coverage of the storm included weather updates every ten minutes from our meteorologist Bill Evans, live interviews with First Selectman Peter Tesei, Emergency Management Director Dan Warzoha and others as well as continual updates of weather cancellations and closings. Our News Director Tony Savino logged significant hours reporting on the air and updated listeners with road closings, etc.
Jeff Weber
Executive Vice-President
WGCH Radio
on Mar 18th, 2010 at 8:58 am
Thank you for your comments. Let’s hear from other readers.
on Mar 18th, 2010 at 11:34 am
I thank Mr. Weber for his explanation of why WGCH was silent for 24 hours. Perhaps it is understandable. It certainly was a common experience for use all. But my radio was working – WGCH was not. The point is that the Town’s advice was to tune to WGCH.
All credit is due to the station personnel for any extra work and effort that went into serving the community during this event.
However, due to what I found to be their irrelevance to emergency service, I will stick by my statement, with this modification:
The last time I tuned into WGCH for emergency information (and it was a long time ago), they were playing their pre-recorded Sunday Afternoon Polka Party, a programming decision by Clear Channel Communications, their parent corporation. Thus ended my reliance on local broadcast radio for community support during times of crisis.
And I repeat my suggestion that the Town Emergency Management utilize new media outlets, which actually stay up and running during emergencies…namely Twitter.com at the moment, brought to your cell phone reliable.
In the immediate prior emergency warning for high winds just two weeks ago, the wind gauge at HPN topped out at gusts of 26 mph. So much for the snowpocalypse. The point of my request for reaction is not to criticize WGCH – I’d start with CL & P first. Rather, to suggest we need to re-think our approach to emergency preparation and crisis management. Just to get ready for the fire next time.
on Mar 18th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
I appreciate Mr. Finkbeiner’s input–valuable for certain. However, while he may want to stand by his statement, his information is totally inaccurate.
First, WGCH is not and never was, owned by Clear Channel Communications. It has been privately owned for more than 40 years. Our company purchased it in June of 2003.
While we do air a Polka music program on Sunday mornings, it never did air during the recent storm nor would it have under these circumstances.
I appreciate hearing any comments, whether critical of our station or not, however I can’t sit back and ignore incorrect information.
Jeff Weber
Executive Vice-President
WGCH Radio
on Mar 18th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
I have critized the radio station in the past for lack of emergency coverage ( Feb snowstorm a year ago) and was the recipeint of a very nasty phone message. I repeat my criticisms: I too heard the “canned programming” when the station was on the air, and never caught more than two live broadcasts. Perhaps WGCH can coordinate with the TOG on WHEN they will do live updates (but only Monday to Friday, as no one is there on the weekends.) Static, dead air and canned programs (some kind of polka hour and financial programs) Was that a phantom program we heard? It was coming from WGCH….
I heard more from Stamford (WSTC/WNLK) and thier mayor then I did from WGCH and Mr. Tesei. Lots more could be done and better.
WGCH is no longer the “Voice of Greenwich” that it was years ago. That is an OPINION. Mr. Metter does not have to like it, consider it or care about it. However, few families that I know of listen to his station for school closings or news during emergencies.
I listened to the “live” brodcast this morning and it told me nothing of importance, such as what roads were closed, open, where crews were working etc. Things that would help.
I suggested to my former capp members that the TOG pursue bulletins on 660, 880 or 1010. They are live and they will give us up to date news.
And how about FB? Lots of us can access that through our cellphones.
on Mar 21st, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Now is your chance to “grade” the performance of the major players during the recent power failure. Take the survey by clicking: http://ourgreenwich.com/blog/2010/03/21/report-card-on-the-power-failure