First responders and public officials are invited to an Open House on Friday, Sept. 20, hosted by York County EMA, where they’ll be able to see equipment like this LifeFlight of Maine helicopter, and demonstrations by a number of county readiness teams. The event will be at 149 Jordan Springs Road in Alfred. COURTESY PHOTO/York County EMA
ALFRED – Helicopters, a hazmat team, drones, and an array of equipment operated by emergency services providers will be on display at an open house for public officials Sept. 20 in Alfred.
First responders, local emergency directors, legislators, school superintendents, municipal managers and other public officials from all of York County’s 29 municipalities are invited to the open house taking place Friday, Sept. 20 on the grounds of the York County government building at 149 Jordan Springs Road (Route 4) in Alfred.
The event is an annual open house aimed at first responders and other municipal officials, said York County Emergency Management Agency Director Art Cleaves, and showcases the county’s capability in dealing with emergencies and natural disasters.
The open house drew 200 public officials in 2018 – and Cleaves said he expects double that number this year, the third year of the event.
“Given the (hurricane) activity in the Atlantic, it makes sense for a forum like this,” he said.
On display will be a LifeFlight of Maine helicopter, a Maine Forest Service helicopter, the Maine Warden Service Air Boat. There will be an array of demonstrations, including presentations from the York County Haz-Mat team, the York County Animal Response Team, the ham radio team, the tactical dispatch team and Smart 911. A crew from Central Maine Power will demonstrate how electricity is restored following a disaster, Cleaves said. In addition, the York County Sheriff’s Office CID team is also expected to be on hand.
“The drones will be flying and the York County Command van will be on hand with the incident management team, Cleaves said.
Also scheduled to take part are Pine Tree Search and Rescue, the York County Juvenile Fire Safety & Intervention Collaborative, Maine Inland Fisheries ad Wildlife and others.
The York Village Fire Department SMART truck will be providing food.
The event is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 20.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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