Author: Alex

 

Two-Day Exercise Simulated a Category 1 Hurricane

 

 

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today said that the statewide emergency preparedness exercise that concluded today allowed the state, local municipalities, utility companies and the private sector to enhance readiness and disaster preparedness, including mass care planning, in advance of the Connecticut’s hurricane season.

 

“This year’s exercise brought all of the state’s partners together to prepare for the types of storms and other emergencies that are inevitable but whose impact we have a responsibility to counteract to the greatest extent possible,” said Governor Malloy.  “Most importantly, the exercise enhanced coordination, communication and planning between stakeholders, with a focus on addressing the needs of our most at-risk populations.  I want to thank everyone who participated for their cooperation and dedication to the successful completion these exercises.”

 

The exercise is part of Governor Malloy’s ongoing Emergency Preparedness and Planning Initiative (EPPI), which began in 2011 and culminated with the first exercise in 2012. Coordinated by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), the exercise simulated a Category 1 Hurricane and tested the coordination and response of all participating stakeholders. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting 8 to 13 named storms this hurricane season, with 3 to 6 possibly becoming hurricanes and 1 to 2 possibly becoming major hurricanes.

 

“This exercise is an important opportunity to strengthen coordination at all levels of government, with the state’s utilities, and our private sector partners,” said Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman.  “Preparation is key to keeping residents safe, and helps speed recovery and restoration.”

 

Over the course of the two-day statewide drill, 163 participating municipalities and tribal nations activated their Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), convened their local Unified Commands, and working with the American Red Cross, multi-jurisdictional sheltering was exercised in each of the 5 DEMHS Regions across the state (Bridgeport, East Hartford, Groton, Torrington, and Killingworth). Also, the state Department of Public Health exercised disaster preparedness and response with 18 hospitals across the state.

 

As with previous years, the exercise was scheduled over a two-day period, Saturday, June 21 and Monday, June 23, to allow towns with volunteer staff to choose to participate on the weekend, and towns with paid staff to participate on a weekday in order to reduce costs. The overall goals that were met include:

 

• Planning – All participating municipalities used their Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP) to implement an appropriate Incident Action Plan (IAP) with particular focus on planning that integrates functional needs, in response to a Category 1 Hurricane.

 

• Operational Coordination – All participating municipalities activated their local Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and convened Unified Command to coordinate and collaborate operational response to the community’s needs, and reviewed hurricane preparedness.

 

• Mass Care – All participating municipalities convened a municipal mass care/functional needs working group and exercised, either functionally or through tabletop, local evacuation and sheltering plans, with a focus on functional needs and at-risk populations.

 

• Communications – All participating municipalities tested their communications equipment and reviewed and planned for public messaging related to storm preparedness, response and recovery, with a focus on functional needs.

 

Materials related to the exercise and the Governor’s Emergency Planning and Preparedness Initiative can be found at www.ct.gov/demhs.

(STAFFORD) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced American Woolen Company, Inc. is in the process of purchasing Warren Corporation’s operations and assets in Stafford Springs, which is one of the last working textile mills in Eastern Connecticut. The project will result in the creation of 38 Connecticut-based jobs over the next two years.

“The Warren Mills site is a reminder of the vital role our state and residents played in the emergence of the country’s vibrant manufacturing industry. To this day, it continues to be one of the most significant cultural, historical, and economic assets you will find in Eastern Connecticut,” said Governor Malloy. “It is a no-brainer for the state to support this project when you consider that this initiative will maintain an operating textile factory, strengthen Connecticut’s manufacturing sector, clean up a contaminated brownfield property and, most importantly, put 38 residents back to work.”

In support of this initiative, the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) will provide American Woolen Company with a $300,000 Job Creation Incentive Loan and a $100,000 matching grant through the Small Business Express Program (EXP).  Funds will be used to help cover building acquisition costs.

“This project wouldn’t have happened without the cooperation and support from Governor Malloy and his economic development team,” said Jacob Harrison Long, CEO of American Woolen Company. “The ability of staff at DECD and DEEP to coordinate efforts and meet tight deadlines was a real difference-maker.”

American Woolen Company closed Wednesday on the transfer of the equipment and property, owned by The Warren Corp., which ended production at the factory at the end of last year.  American Woolen will rehire many of the Warren employees as it ramps up production.

Officials from the Departments of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and DECD also worked together to advise the seller and buyer on risk mitigation issues associated the cleanup of the site.  American Woolen Company has been approved for liability protections as part of the Abandoned Brownfield Cleanup Program.

 

 

(GREENWICH, CT) – Joined by state lawmakers and advocate, Governor Dannel P. Malloy today held a bill signing ceremony at the Greenwich Animal Shelter to commemorate a new law that will increase standards for Connecticut retail pet shops and breeders.

 

Public Act 14-77, An Act Concerning Certain Recommendations of the Task Force on the Sale of Cats and Dogs from Inhumane Origins at Connecticut Pet Shops, increases the accountability of pet stores through increased standards and business practices.

 

“There is evidence that puppy mills around the country have employed practices that any reasonable person would consider inhumane,” said Governor Malloy.  “By signing this bill into law, we are setting standards in Connecticut to ensure that animals are living in humane conditions.  I would like to thank the chairs of the Taskforce on the Sale of Cats and Dogs from Inhumane Origins at Connecticut Pet Shops and all of those who provided constructive input to make this bill a reality.”

 

The law will:

 

• Require the State Commissioner of Agriculture to develop a standard of care applicable to in-state dog and cat breeders by December 31, 2014.
• Prohibit pet shop licensees from purchasing dogs or cats from a breeder who has violated USDA animal welfare regulations in the past two years and increases the fine for violating related requirements.
• Require pet shops to reimburse customers for veterinarian expenses incurred to treat a dog or cat that becomes ill shortly after purchase from the shop.  The reimbursement now covers the purchase price of the animal and veterinarian costs.
• Requires pet shops to post the U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection reports for breeders of any dog offered for sale.

 

“It was a pleasure to lead a taskforce with Representative Brenda Kupchick that worked over many months to bring recommendations to the legislature that ultimately lead to this new law,” said State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), co-chair of the taskforce that developed this legislation.  “Connecticut should be proud of the compassion we show through our laws for our four-legged friends.”

 

“Working on this issue since 2011, I’m grateful to see a bill that goes a long way toward minimizing ‘puppy mill’ puppies being sold in Connecticut,” said State Representative Brenda Kupchick (R-Fairfield), co-chair of the taskforce.  “What many people don’t see are the conditions the breeding parents live in who supply puppies to pet stores or over the internet.  This law also protects the public from the costs associated with sick puppies or kittens and provides for more accountability from pet stores.”

 

“We thank Governor Malloy for his compassion for animals and leadership in the fight against puppy mills.  This bill will keep some of the worst puppy mills in the country from selling to Connecticut pet stores,” said Annie Hornish, Connecticut State Director for the Humane Society of the United States.  “One way citizens can help fight puppy mills is by adopting from municipal pounds like the Greenwich Animal Shelter, or purchasing from responsible, ethical breeders, who never sell through pet shops.”

 

The legislation becomes effective October 1, 2014.