Gov. Baker Proclaims Hurricane Preparedness Week July 10 through 16

10:17AM / Tuesday, July 12, 2022Print Story | Email Story

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – Hurricane Preparedness Week, as proclaimed by Governor Charlie Baker, runs from July 10 to 16.

All week, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) will engage local communities across Massachusetts to highlight the risk of tropical storms and hurricanes and encourage residents to take steps to prepare. As part of MEMA’s commitment to diversity and equity in emergency planning, this year’s campaign will include information to equip those living with disabilities and specific medical needs.

“Hurricane Preparedness Week is an annual reminder of the hazards that the Commonwealth faces and how residents can prepare during hurricane season,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. "While it’s been 31 years since Hurricane Bob made landfall in New England, hurricanes and tropical storms remain a threat to Massachusetts and we ask residents to learn if they live in a hurricane evacuation zone, develop an emergency plan, build an emergency kit, and stay informed.”

For the 2022 hurricane season, MEMA has continued its longstanding commitment to deepen local, state, federal, and private-sector partnerships. The Agency has convened meetings to discuss logistics, operational plans, and capabilities; facilitated a series of tabletop exercises; and participated in a large tabletop exercise with Emergency Support Function (ESF) partners and the National Weather Service.

Additionally, MEMA Acting Director Dawn Brantley serves as Co-Chair of the National Emergency Management Association Diversity and Equity Committee which focuses on identifying opportunities to advance diversity and inclusion in the workforce; and ensures equity and accessibility of emergency management policies and programs. While MEMA and its partners are taking steps to ensure the Commonwealth is ready, preparedness is a shared responsibility that all should take part in.

“While MEMA continues to prepare for disasters, we can’t do it alone – preparedness is a whole community responsibility and we want everyone to be prepared for the challenges and impacts they may face in an emergency,” said Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Acting Director Dawn Brantley. “I urge residents with disabilities and medical needs to take steps to prepare for their circumstances by customizing their emergency plans, gathering necessary supplies and planning with their support network who may be able to assist during a disaster. For those individuals, I want to assure you that MEMA takes accessibility of emergency programs and services very seriously and we work year-round to ensure that we are prepared to support all individuals equally and equitably before, during, and after disasters.”

Tags: hurricane, MEMA,

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North Berkshire Educational Study Updating Communities

By Breanna Steele & Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:20AM / Thursday, September 24, 2026

CHESHIRE, Mass. — The steering committee for a regional study on secondary education is getting the word out to participating communities and asking for input.

Members of the North Berkshire Educational Sustainability Study spoke to the Cheshire Board of Selectmen last week and to the North Adams City Council on Tuesday.

The goal of the study is to focus on Grades 6 through 12 to understand current conditions across districts, hear people on their educational priorities, analyze strengths, opportunities, and challenges, and identify opportunities for future collaboration.

Steering Committee Chair Erin Milne, also a member of the Hoosac Valley Regional School Committee, introduced the study and why it was needed.

"We've been talking for decades about how the Northern Berkshire school communities can better collaborate with one another, rather than necessarily duplicating services," she told he Cheshire board. "And over time, it's become more and more of a pressing issue as our enrollment has been going down, but costs have been going up."

Hoosac Valley, North Adams, Mount Greylock Regional, Clarksburg, Savoy and Florida are participating in the study. A combination of declining population and rising costs are putting pressure on the districts, but the study will also look at educational opportunities that could come from collaboration.

In North Adams, Superintendent of Schools Timothy Callahan noted that "the reality is that in the North Adams Public Schools, our graduating class is now closer to what Lenox used to have as a graduating class 20 years ago ... So those are the realities, and what can we sustain, and what are the educational opportunities for our young people? Those are the questions that we're asking."

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