Month: October 2018

FEMA Presidential Alert

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and Emergency Alert System (EAS) on the backup date of October 3, 2018 due to ongoing response efforts to Hurricane Florence. The WEA portion of the test commences at 2:18 p.m. EDT, and the EAS portion follows at 2:20 p.m. EDT. The test will assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of a national message and determine whether improvements are needed.

The WEA test message will be sent to cell phones that are connected to wireless providers participating in WEA. This is the fourth EAS nationwide test and the first national WEA test. Previous EAS national tests were conducted in November 2011, September 2016,  and September 2017 in collaboration with the FCC, broadcasters, and emergency management officials in recognition of FEMA’s National Preparedness Month.

Cell towers will broadcast the WEA test for approximately 30 minutes beginning at 2:18 p.m. EDT. During this time, WEA compatible cell phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA should be capable of receiving the test message. Some cell phones will not receive the test message, and cell phones should only receive the message once. The WEA test message will have a header that reads “Presidential Alert” and text that says:

“THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”

The WEA system is used to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations through alerts on cell phones. The national test will use the same special tone and vibration as with all WEA messages (i.e. Tornado Warning, AMBER Alert). Users cannot opt out of receiving the WEA test.

The EAS is a national public warning system that provides the President with the communications capability to address the nation during a national emergency. The test is made available to EAS participants (i.e., radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers) and is scheduled to last approximately one minute. The test message will be similar to regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. The EAS message will include a reference to the WEA test:

“THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. A similar wireless emergency alert test message has been sent to all cell phones nationwide. Some cell phones will receive the message; others will not. No action is required.”

The test was originally planned for September 20, 2018 but has been postponed until October 3, 2018 due to ongoing response efforts to Hurricane Florence.’

 

Bridgeport Weather Alert

The City of Bridgeport EOC is monitoring the potential storm tracks for tonight into tomorrow, especially with the slight risk of Flash Flooding. Here is an update concerning the flash flooding threat for late tonight and Friday morning.

 

As low pressure approaches from the Mid-Atlantic region late tonight and passes over or just south of New York City and Long  Island on Friday, rain could become heavy at times from late tonight into Friday morning. Rainfall of at least 3/4″ to 1 inch is expected, with locally higher amounts up to 2 inches. Isolated higher amounts are possible if training of any heavier showers occurs over the same area.

 

Overview:

WHAT:  SLIGHT RISK of Flash Flooding

WHERE: Northeast New Jersey, Lower Hudson Valley, Southern CT and Parts of Long Island

WHEN:  Late tonight and Friday Morning

 

Potential Hazards and Impacts:

Flash Flooding: A basin average rainfall of 3/4″ to 1″ is expected with up to 2″ possible in localized spots .  There is still some uncertainty as to where the heaviest rainfall bands will set up, so not all places within the watch area may experience flooding. However, it will not take much additional rainfall to cause flooding in locations hard hit on Tuesday, and the heavier rainfall rates and total amounts could cause urban and highway flooding during the Friday morning rush.  Minor small stream flooding is also possible, especially along small streams in northeast New Jersey.

  • Rainfall rates of 1/2 to 1 inches/hr are possible
  • Locally heavy rainfall will lead to areas of urban and poor drainage flooding.
  • Minor flooding along quick responding rivers/streams is possible.
  • Isolated thunderstorms moving over the same area will result in flash flooding

This press release is made possible by:

 

State Receives Grant For Out Of State Mental Health Victims of Hurricane Maria

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that the State of Connecticut is receiving a $750,000 federal grant to provide mental health support to children and their families who were evacuated from their homes and are living in Connecticut as a result of Hurricane Maria.

The funding, which was granted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will be used by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF), to provide these services at child guidance clinics serving the most heavily affected cities in the state – Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Waterbury, and New Britain – that include mobile crisis, outpatient counseling, medication management, and school outreach.

“Thousands and thousands of young children had their homes destroyed by a catastrophic storm that left them displaced and uprooted from the only place that they have ever known,” Governor Malloy said.  “Today, many of these families are living thousands of miles away in Connecticut and rebuilding their lives.  A tragedy of this proportion is incredibly traumatic for children and can have a lasting impact, which is why it is critical for them to receive these services now so they can lead healthy, productive lives.  We are appreciative of the many organizations in our state that are participating with our efforts to ensure these services are available in the wake of this horrible storm.”

“This funding is long overdue for the evacuees who have come to Connecticut, and something we’ve all been advocating for,” Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senator Chris Murphy, and Congressman John Larson said in a joint statement.  “We’re proud of the work that the state and local organizations and volunteers have done to help these families.  This money will ensure that the mental health needs of the people who evacuated to Connecticut are being met.  While this aid is welcome, far more is needed for states like Connecticut who have opened their arms to evacuees, and for the island that is still struggling a year later without reliable public infrastructure and jobs.”

“Many of the children and families who were evacuated to Connecticut after Hurricane Maria experienced severe trauma, enduring the powerful storm itself, the devastation of losing their homes and then having to acculturate to a new community,” DMHAS Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon said.  “We know that addressing trauma early leads to improved mental health outcomes, so providing this support is critical in ensuring families will thrive.”

DCF Commissioner Joette Katz explained that the services will be provided by child guidance clinics that already provide a range of effective services for Connecticut children and their families, including those who were affected by Hurricane Maria over one year ago.

“By expanding support for and enhancing our partnership with our existing community-based service provider network, we will be able to extend help to many more deserving children and families,” Commissioner Katz said.

The Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College estimates that 135,000 people evacuated Puerto Rico to the mainland United States in the first six months since the hurricane made landfall, and approximately 10 percent of them relocated to Connecticut.

Immediately following the storm last year, Governor Malloy created a unified command to help coordinate assistance for hurricane survivors arriving in Connecticut.  Since that time, the state has provided disaster case management services, housing assistance, and support to schools that were impacted.

 

This press release was made possible by:

Bridgeport/Fairfield News: Suspicious Package

2:22pm–#Bridgeport CT–#Fairfield CT–#MTA– There is a suspicious package on track four of the railroad tracks behind the Mercedes Dealer on the Scofield Avenue side.  I don’t believe the trains have been stopped but they are proceeding through the area very slowly.

 

This news report is made possible by:

Norwalk News: Firefighters Raise Money For CT Burn Care Foundation

How about some likes for the Norwalk Firefighters?  Norwalk Fire Department Deputy Chief Stephen Shay with Susan Howard,  from the Connecticut Burn Care Foundation accepting a  check of $4000.00 from Norwalk Firefighters Local 830 .  The money came from their annual golf outing fundraiser.
(Press Release)

 

Medicare Open Enrollment Period Begins October 15

#Westport, CT – Department of Human Services Director Elaine Daignault announced today that the Medicare Open Enrollment period begins on October 15, 2018 and runs through December 7, 2018. During this time, beneficiaries can join a new Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D prescription drug plan; switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan or Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare (with or without a Part D plan). These dates are important because once the enrollment period has ended no further changes to Medicare enrollment can be made until the following year.

 

Daignault noted, “In addition to our Municipal Agent for the Elderly, Kristen Witt, and an amazing Senior Center that offers an array of programs of services for seniors, the Town is fortunate to welcome two CHOICES volunteers who offer free and confidential health insurance counseling, education and assistance to people who qualify for Medicare Health Insurance.”

 

“CHOICES”, Connecticut’s program for Health insurance assistance, Outreach, Information and referral, Counseling, Eligibility Screening is part of a national network of programs that offers free counseling to Connecticut residents. Volunteer CHOICES counselors are trained through a partnership between the State Unit on Aging, CT’s five Area Agencies on Aging and the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. with funding in whole, or in part through a grant from the Administration for Community Living (ACL).

 

Westport residents are encouraged to call the Department of Human Services at 203-341-1050 or the Center for Senior Activities at 203-341-5099 after October 1 to schedule an appointment with a CHOICES volunteer counselor during the enrollment period.

 

This press release is made possible by:

Westport News: 3 Arrested and 2 Handgun Magazines Recovered Following Police Pursuit with Stolen Car

(Westport, CT)- On 09/24/2018 at approximately 3:15am, Corporal Kevin Smith observed a vehicle traveling westbound in the area of 877 Post Road East at a high rate of speed. He followed the vehicle and observed it stopped in the middle of the Post Road at the intersection with Long Lots Road with no tail lights illuminated. Corporal Smith caught up to the suspect vehicle and saw it stop at the red light at Roseville Road before it made a quick wide turn onto Roseville Road into the opposite lane of traffic. A registration check for the vehicle showed it had been stolen out of Darien on 09/19/2018.

 

Corporal Smith attempted to initiate a motor vehicle stop, but the suspect vehicle would not yield and engaged the officer in pursuit. The suspect vehicle led officers northbound on Roseville before it turned to travel eastbound on Cross Highway. It continued onto Congress Street in Fairfield. The Fairfield Police department assisted and deployed stop sticks ahead of the oncoming suspect vehicle on Congress Street, which the suspect vehicle struck. The pursuit continued up Black Rock Turnpike, onto Tanglewood and eventually onto Towne House Road where the vehicle crashed into a utility pole and the operator fled on foot. A brief foot pursuit ensued and the driver was taken into custody a short distance away by Corporal Smith and Officer Loomer with the assistance of Westport K-9 Koda. The two juvenile passengers were detained by Fairfield officers.

 

The two 15-year-old passengers, both from Waterbury, were transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital for minor injuries. They were each issued a summons charging them with 53a-122 Larceny 1st and 53a-48 Conspiracy to Commit (Larceny 1 st ).

The operator was identified as Jomar Perez, 18, also of Waterbury, CT. He was transported to St Vincent’s by Fairfield police due to minor injuries sustained as a result of the K-9 bite. During a search of the vehicle, two loaded 9mm handgun magazines were located in the driver’s side door pocket. Numerous debit/credit cards and several car keys to other vehicles were also located during the search. The vehicle and surrounding area were searched, but no firearm has been recovered.

 

After being released from the hospital, Perez was transported to Westport headquarters where he was charged with two counts of 53-21(1) Risk of Injury, 53a-167a Interfering with an Officer, 53a-122 Larceny 1 st : Motor Vehicle Theft, and 53a-48 Conspiracy to Commit (Larceny 1 st ). Perez was additionally charged with 14-223(b) Disobeying the Signal of an Officer: Elude/Attempt Escape, 14-222 Reckless Driving: Not Greater than 85 mph and 14-36(a) Operating a Motor Vehicle Without a License. Perez was held in lieu of $25,000 bond. He was transported to Norwalk Court for arraignment on 09/24/2018.

 

Fairfield County has been plagued by car thefts and motor vehicle burglaries for the last year. Despite multiple warnings, we continue to be a target rich environment because residents leave their cars unlocked with their car keys and other valuables inside. We urge residents to remove their belongings and secure their vehicles properly at night. Multiple firearms have been recovered from suspects in these crimes and from within the stolen motor vehicles. Residents should not confront any suspects themselves. They are asked to notify the police department immediately if they observe suspicious vehicles and activity in their neighborhoods.

(Westport Police Press Release)

Jomar Perez
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