Ensuring Safety in Our Schools: Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Open House for School Administrators

INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 17
POLICY CODE: EEC

TO: Superintendents and Elementary School Principals
FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner
DATE: September 18, 2008
RE: Ensuring Safety in Our Schools: Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Open House for School Administrators

I realize that this is not providing you with very much advance notice; however, I want to inform you that the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) will host an Open House for School Administrators (Superintendents and Principals) and Fourth Grade Teachers on Tuesday, September 23, 2008, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in recognition of National Preparedness Month. I encourage you to participate in a wonderful opportunity to learn more about MEMA and the Student Tools for Emergency Planning Program (S.T.E.P.).

The Open House will include:

Information about comprehensive emergency management preparedness for schools and emergency planning guidance;
Information about preparedness for staff and their families;
Tours of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC);
An introduction of the S.T.E.P. program. This is a curriculum intended for use with fourth graders to introduce them to ways to minimize the physical, psychological and emotional impact of emergencies by preparing them to protect themselves and to respond appropriately;
Demonstrations of the following:
Family Emergency Kit
Individual Emergency Go-Bag
Pet Go-Bag
Vehicle Emergency Kit
The American Red Cross will have a sample emergency shelter set up (keep in mind that many schools are the designated shelter for the community or region).

The S.T.E.P. Program is being piloted in four school administrative units in Maine. Representatives of these schools will be our special guests. Some will have already presented this pilot program in their schools and their information will be useful to you. An opportunity for additional schools to be added to the pilot program is being offered. A representative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be present to explain the program and answer any questions you may have. An ultimate goal is to have this program offered to each fourth grade in every school in Maine annually. This initiative is modeled on the very successful "Learn Not To Burn Program" and is aimed at improving the status of comprehensive emergency preparedness in Maine.

Light refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP before September 22, 2008 12:00 Noon, to Angie Roberts at MEMA via e-mail, angela.roberts@maine.gov , by fax to: (207) 287- 3178 or by telephone at: 1 (800) 452- 8735.

If you have any questions, please contact Rayna Leibowitz, MEMA Preparedness Specialist, by e-mail at rayna.b.leibowitz@maine.gov or by telephone at 1(800) 452-8735.

Directions:
The Maine Emergency Management Agency is at the Central Maine Commerce Center, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta. It is located off Route 27, 1.5 miles north of Interstate 95. If traveling from the south on the Interstate, take Exit 112B. If traveling from the north, take Exit 112. Travel 1.5 miles and turn left onto Commerce Drive. Take the first right after the pond and the first right again into the parking lot. Enter by the door marked Department of Labor. The Maine Emergency Management Agency is the first door on the left.

I hope that you are able to participate.

Thank you.