Emergency Management

Emergency management involves the planning, assignment and coordination of the resources available in an integrated program of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery for natural or man-made emergencies. It provides for the safety of our citizens in Litchfield. Since all known possible hazards have been identified and plans made which address the needs before, during and after an emergency or disaster. We continually review the plans to identify and correct problems and work together with neighboring towns and the State Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security to insure a correct and adequate response will be made in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Litchfield uses the Everbridge alerting system which will broadcast emergency information via the telephone, Text and email. It will tell you, where shelters are being opened, where you need to go, what roads you should use and other safety measures you can take. It’s important to make sure that you are registered with this service. Please go to the Everbridge link and sign up for this service.

The Office of Emergency Management recommends that citizens keep enough supplies at home to meet family needs for at least 72 hours, since it may take that long before outside assistance is available from the state or federal government. Home disaster supply kits should be made up from sturdy and easy to carry containers such as backpacks, duffel bags or large trash containers in the event that you may have to evacuate and take your emergency supplies with you. Each family should develop an emergency plan in case of a natural disaster or other emergency. Agencies such as the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have brochures to help you develop a family emergency plan.  

If you have immediate needs for food, clothing, and/or housing call the American Red Cross. Second, contact your insurance agent to determine what damages they will cover. Third, if you do not have the funds to complete repairs, contact your local banker to arrange for a loan.

The term disaster means different things to different people. Disasters can happen anytime and anywhere. They can be either man-made or natural and can strike without warning. Communities’ can- - and do- - cope with disaster by planning and preparing in advance and working together as a team. If your house has damage and you do not have insurance to cover it, you would say you have a disaster. However, federal law defines disaster much more broadly. To get federal assistance the damage must be very serious and widespread affecting a number of people. A foot of water in your home is serious to you, but it does not meet the criteria for a federal disaster. A disaster as defined by the federal government occurs when hundreds of homes are destroyed or have sustained major damage.