Update: Mayor Calling in Full Staff at 1 a.m. after Declaring a State of Emergency in Vernon

It will be all hands on deck in Vernon by early Sunday morning as more and more of Hurricane Irene sails into town.

By 1 a.m., Mayor Jason McCoy expects to have 60 firefighters, 40 police officers and a contingent of volunteers and emergency services staff members on duty.

McCoy has declared a state of emergency for Vernon as he and emergency response officials prepare for Hurricane Irene's arrival.

McCoy signed the declaration of emergency at 11:15 a.m., at about the time an outer band associated with the storm dumped rain on the town.
 
“In anticipation of the impending hurricane and potential impact, I have declared a state of emergency for the Town of Vernon,” McCoy said. “In an event such as this, our primary concern is the safety of the residents and we are dedicated to committing as many resources as necessary to ensuring that the roads remain clear, power is restored, and public safety is upheld.”
 
McCoy has also announced that the Community Emergency Response Team was activated today at noon.

“Having the additional manpower provided by the CERT team will allow us to allocate our resources to the best of our ability,” McCoy said.
 
Deputy Emergency Management Director Al Sheridan said added that  20 CERT members were put on duty at the moment the state of emergency was declared. A majority of the members will be assigned to the town shelter, he said. Additional members will be stationed at both the Police Department and Emergency Operations Center, he said.
 
Residents in need of refuge can use a shelter that will open at Rockville High School at 6 p.m.

It will be pet friendly, McCoy said.

Residents bringing pets need to provide their own crates, food, and other necessities. No ''inherently dangerous'' animals will be allowed into the facility, McCoy said.
 
McCoy, department heads, and emergency response officials met for a third time at the Public Safety Building this morning. Storm costs will be addressed at a special Town Council meeting on Monday at 8 p.m.
 
''In the upcoming hours and days, I will continue to work with state officials and local leaders in town and across the region to ensure that Vernon is prepared and ready to respond to any needs throughout the town,” McCoy said.

Town officials have mapped out a plan to cut through downed trees if necessary to clear a pathway to Inetrstate-84 and to vital areas. The town purchsed 25 new chainsaws last week and another 40 this week to be prepared. Private tree surgeons are also on standby.

"If a lot of trees are down, which I expect, we have a plan in place to clear roads,'' McCoy said.

Priorities are state roads, artery roads, local roads and proivate roads in that order, McCoy said.

''I am telling people that if there are a lot of trees down in your neighborhool, stay at home. We will get to you,'' McCoy said.

 
A copy of the signed declaration of emergency and the town's cleanup plan are attached as PDF files.

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