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Emergency Management
Emergency Management Department
The Ashfield Emergency Management Department works alongside first responders, local and regional partners, and our state and federal partners, including the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to help keep our community safe. Together, we coordinate planning, resources, and information to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and reduce the impacts of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other human-caused emergencies.
As a department dedicated to public service, we work to strengthen community resilience long before disasters occur. We share clear, reliable information about natural and technological hazards and offer practical guidance to help you, your family, and your organization take simple, meaningful steps to be better prepared.
In addition, we connect residents with emergency preparedness training and volunteer opportunities, because strong partnerships, informed citizens, and shared responsibility are the foundation of a prepared, resilient community.
Definition: Emergency management provides the framework through which communities reduce risk, manage hazards, and cope with disasters.
Vision: Emergency management promotes safer, less vulnerable communities with the capacity to withstand, respond to, and recover from hazards and disasters.
Mission: Emergency management protects communities by coordinating efforts that build, sustain, and improve capabilities to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from all hazards.
Community Emergency Response Team
The CERT team in our community is more than just a volunteer group, it’s a network of neighbors looking out for each other. We’re seeking dedicated volunteers who want to make a difference, learn emergency response skills, and help strengthen the safety and resilience of our region. Whether it’s preparing for unexpected events, supporting local emergencies, or lending a helping hand when it matters most, your time and dedication will have a real impact. If you’re ready to be part of a team that truly serves the community, we would love to have you join us! Find out more.
Team Management
Manager: Derek Matias
Assistant Manager: Hannah Jarrell
Shelter Manager: Phil Pless
CERT Materials & Documents
Important Phone Numbers
- Emergencies: 911 for ALL emergencies
- Directory Assistance: 411
- Human Services: 211 if you need help and don’t know where to turn
- Power Outage: 800-286-2000 - Call this number to report power outages
- Telephone Services: 800-555-1212 - Call this number to report loss of telephone service
REPORT ANY PROBLEM YOU ENCOUNTER. DON’T ASSUME SOMEONE ELSE REPORTED IT!
Ambulance Service
The Town of Ashfield is serviced by Highland Ambulance. Calls to 911 will be routed for ambulance service.
Weather Emergencies
If a severe storm (ice storm, hurricane, tornado) results in a State of Emergency to be declared, the Ashfield Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be opened to coordinate activities, communications and responses by the emergency management personnel, first responders and other agencies. Although the EOC may not physically be open 24 hours a day it will remain active and fully engaged until the state of emergency has been terminated and the EOC becomes inactive. The EOC is located at Town Hall on 412 Main Street.
Current weather conditions with extended forecast information.
Ashfield Codes for Emergency Siren Signals
- One Long Ring: Weather Warning. Take cover.
- Two Rings: Saturday Noon siren test.
- Three Rings: Ashfield Dam Emergency or problem at Ashfield Lake. Further instructions and/or announcements to follow.
- Four Rings: Hazardous Material Spill.
- Five Rings: Forest Fire.
- Six Rings: Structure Fire.
Emergency Zones
Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Resiliency Plan
MVP Resiliency plan was facilitated and developed by the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) for the towns of Ashfield and Conway. The plan contains the summary of findings from the Community Resilience Building Workshop which was conducted in April of 2018. The plan was accepted by the state as part of the MVP designation process. To read the complete plan click on this link.
Blackboard Connect Notification System
BlackBoard Connect is a
One Call System
used as an emergency alerting system during times of emergencies and in some cases as a public messaging system for certain town functions. There are three town employees that have the ability to activate the One Call System and they are; the town’s Emergency Management Director, the Town Clerk and the Town Administrator. On most occasions the Emergency Management Director will be the primary person to send these messages out.
When a BlackBoard Connect message is sent, the displayed caller ID will be of Town Hall phone which is 413-628-4441. The town message sender will always self identify, so please don’t hang up!
All residents are registered in the One Call System. If your phone number has the 625 prefix and your physical address is in Ashfield you will get the calls unless you opt out of the program.
If you are currently not receiving these messages it may be due to one of the following reasons:
- You may have asked to be removed from the call recipient database
- You may have an unlisted phone number
- You may have recently moved into Ashfield and your number has not been updated yet.
If you would like to be added to the call recipient database click on this link. If you have any questions e-mail the Emergency Management Director (emd@ashfield,org) or call 413-628-4441 Ext: 9 and leave a voice message.
- Form link: Reverse 911 Add/Change/Remove Request.
All broadcast messages are posted at Ashfield.org/BBMessages on the day they are sent out.
If you have been added to the recipient list but are not receiving the calls/messages then it is possible that you may have opted out in the past. If this is the case and would like to opt back in call 855-502-7867 and follow the prompts presented to you to do so.
Opt Outs apply to Outreach messages only! All recipient will continue to receive Emergency and Attendance type messages.
If you have any questions about and would like to further discuss it with the EMD then please email details to emd@ashfield.org or call 413-628-4441 Ext: 9.
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Helpful Link
- MEMA Web Page - Access the MEMA for up to date information on being prepared during emergencies.
- EverSource Outage Map: Outage Maps
Emergency Response Team Information
The Emergency Response Team Information page is provided to the Emergency Management and Emergency Response Team personnel. In addition to the emergency personnel the page is provided to the members of the Select Board, Town Administrator and Town Clerk.
To gain access to this page, you must have an account in the systems with the proper access privileges. To request access first create an account in the system, then contact the Emergency Management Director (EMD@Ashfield,Org) to enable account privileges.