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1.🤝 Volunteer Sign-Up & Application Process
Shutesbury C.A.R.E.S. is a brand-new program created to strengthen our town’s emergency preparedness! While it’s designed with safety and emergency preparedness at its core, it’s also a wonderful opportunity to build lasting, supportive connections and foster community across Shutesbury.
Because this is a new initiative, we are actively looking for foundational volunteers to help launch our Outreach Team.
Prospective volunteers can apply directly through the Town Administrator's Office (via email at townadmin@shutesbury.org or by calling 413-259-1214). When signing up, please provide:
- 👤 Contact Details: Full name, primary phone number, and email address.
2.📋 Volunteer Requirements
- 👥 Call Capacity & Expectations: Each volunteer is paired with 3 to 4 registered neighbors. This ensures you can build comfortable, meaningful connections without feeling overwhelmed when a storm approaches!
- ⏱️ Time Commitment & Flexibility: Estimated 60 to 120 minutes total per severe weather event (covering pre-storm checks 24–48 hours prior and brief post-storm follow-ups). Outreach happens only a few times a year during major forecasted events (severe winter storms, ice storms, or extreme heat), and calls can be completed conveniently from home!
- 🛡️ Background Check / Vetting: All volunteers will be required to complete a background/CORI check before working with participants.
- 🔒 Confidentiality Agreement: Commitment to strict privacy standards. Volunteers handle basic contact info only—specific medical details, key codes, and household privacy are never shared.
3. 🛠️ Onboarding & Resource Downloads
Give active and prospective volunteers direct access to their training materials and tools:
- 🎓 Emergency Management Staff Training: All new volunteers participate in a brief onboarding session hosted by Town Emergency Management staff to review call protocols, safety procedures, and escalation pathways.
- 📄 Pre-Storm Check-In Sheet & Call Script: Call sheets and scripts will be provided for outreach calls.
- 📋 Step-by-Step Reporting Workflow: Clear guide showing where to submit call log notes after completing checks.
- 🚨 Escalation Reference Card: Quick-reference contact numbers:
- 🔴 Immediate Emergencies: Call 911.
- 🟡 Urgent / Unreachable Follow-Up: Emergency Management Team
- 🟢 Non-Urgent Assistance: Council on Aging (COA) / Town Administrator.
4. ❓ Common Questions
- Q: Do I need to visit residents in person?
- A: No. Outreach volunteers perform checks exclusively over the phone. In-person checks or emergency responses are handled by Town First Responders or designated staff.
- Q: Can I make these calls from home?
- A: Yes! All check-ins are phone-based, so you can make your calls from the comfort of your own home (or anywhere with cell/landline service).
· Q: How many residents will I be assigned?
- A: To keep outreach manageable and personal, each volunteer is matched with 3 to 4 registered neighbors.
- Q: Will I be given residents' medical conditions?
- A: No. Volunteers receive basic contact info and functional check-in items only (e.g., heat, water, food); specific medical information is not provided.
Town of Shutesbury Hazard Mitigation Plan
The Shutesbury Emergency Management Team (EMT), in partnership with the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) Planning Department, has developed the Town of Shutesbury Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). Funding for the plan development has been provided through a grant from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The Hazard Mitigation Plan was adopted by the Town in 2021 and approved by FEMA in 2022. Shutesbury is now eligible for state and federal grant monies to fund pre- and post-disaster mitigation projects aimed at reducing the impact of future natural and man-made disasters. Grant funds are co-administered by Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) on behalf of FEMA.
Emergency Planning Survey Analysis
Shutesbury Resident Emergency Respite Needs Survey Raw Data