The Waitsfield Select Board updated a comprehensive emergency management plan that establishes how the town will respond to natural disasters, public safety emergencies and other major incidents while maintaining communication with residents, neighboring communities and state agencies.
Waitsfield’s Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP) serves as the town's roadmap for disaster response, outlining a chain of command, emergency operations procedures, public information protocols and coordination with emergency responders throughout the Mad River Valley and central Vermont.
The plan is maintained by emergency management director Fred Messer, emergency management coordinators Clare Ireland and Alice Peal, and town administrator York Haverkamp. They oversee planning, preparedness and response activities intended to help the town respond quickly and effectively when emergencies occur.
At the center of the plan is the Emergency Operations Center, or EOC, which functions as the town's command and coordination hub during significant incidents. The EOC can be activated by members of the select board, the town administrator, the emergency management director or emergency management coordinators.
According to the plan, the EOC's responsibilities include supporting incident commanders in the field, coordinating requests for personnel and equipment, maintaining situational awareness for municipal leaders and ensuring that accurate information reaches the public.
FRAMEWORK
The town's emergency management structure follows the nationally recognized Incident Command System, which provides a standardized framework for managing emergencies involving multiple agencies and organizations.
The EOC director is responsible for supervising and directing all emergency operations center activities and coordinating municipal support and response efforts. An EOC assistant provides operational and administrative support. Messer, Ireland and Peal are qualified to fill all EOC positions, while Haverkamp is designated to serve as an EOC assistant.
The primary Emergency Operations Center is located at the Waitsfield Town Office on Main Street. The facility is equipped with backup power, internet access, telephones, computers and other resources. Officials may also conduct EOC operations virtually through Zoom, allowing emergency personnel and elected officials to coordinate response activities from different locations when circumstances require.
MRVAS HQ
An alternate EOC location has been designated at the Mad River Valley Ambulance Service headquarters, also located on Main Street in Waitsfield.
The emergency plan places particular emphasis on public communication, recognizing that residents need reliable information during rapidly evolving situations. Officials note that effective communication can reduce confusion, improve public safety and help residents make informed decisions during emergencies.
The town uses multiple channels to communicate with the public, including the Vermont statewide VT-Alert system, the municipal website, social media platforms and community information networks. Messer and Ireland are designated as local VT-Alert managers responsible for emergency notifications.
Local media organizations are identified as critical partners in the town's communication strategy. The plan specifically names The Valley Reporter, WMRW community radio, WDEV radio and Mad River Valley Television as important outlets for distributing emergency information to the public.
MAJOR INCIDENTS
During major incidents, emergency officials are expected to coordinate closely with local media to provide timely updates, safety information and public instructions. The plan also calls for officials to monitor public reports and media coverage to help ensure information remains accurate and consistent.
In addition to digital communication, public notices may be posted at the Waitsfield Town Offices, the Village Grocery bulletin board, the local post office bulletin board and Front Porch Forum.
Emergency medical services play a significant role in the town's preparedness and response efforts. EMS Chief Howie McCausland and the Mad River Valley Ambulance Service are listed among the community's primary emergency response partners. Beyond providing emergency medical care and transportation, the ambulance service serves as the town's alternate emergency operations center, making it a key component of local emergency planning.
The plan also identifies numerous local officials and response partners who may be called upon during emergencies, including Fire Chief Jarid Young, Assistant Fire Chief Daniel Beede, public works personnel, school administrators and municipal leaders.
DIRECT LINES
Recognizing that major disasters often affect multiple communities simultaneously, Waitsfield's emergency plan includes extensive coordination with neighboring towns and regional agencies. Emergency management contacts are identified in Warren, Moretown and Fayston, providing direct lines of communication among communities in the Mad River Valley.
The town also works closely with the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission and Vermont Emergency Management. If local resources become insufficient, officials can request assistance through the State Emergency Operations Center, which can coordinate specialized response teams, technical experts, emergency shelter support and other resources.
The plan notes that state assistance may include hazardous materials response teams, urban search-and-rescue resources, swift-water rescue capabilities and other emergency assets when local responders require additional support.
Town officials say the plan is intended to ensure a coordinated response before, during and after emergencies. By clearly defining leadership responsibilities, strengthening communication with local media and residents, and maintaining strong relationships with neighboring towns and state agencies, the plan provides a framework for protecting public safety and supporting community recovery when disasters occur.
