Pittsfield Seeking Community Input on Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

10:33AM / Thursday, June 12, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee of Pittsfield has developed a comprehensive Hazard Mitigation Plan Update that identifies and prioritizes strategies to mitigate the impacts of natural hazards and climate change on our community.

Pittsfield's Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee has developed this plan as a strategy for the city against existing and future natural hazard threats and the evolving challenges posed by climate change. Implementation of this plan will enhance the resilience to hazards such as flooding, snowstorms, high winds, and extreme temperatures.

Public engagement lies at the core of our Hazard Mitigation Plan. It is imperative that this plan reflects the diverse perspectives and priorities of the community members as the city moves to mitigate risks posed by natural hazards and climate change.

The draft plan can be viewed on the Pittsfield's Fire Department webpage on the city's website.

Comments on the draft plan can be provided using the Google form or via email to tsammons@cityofpittsfield.org by Friday, June 20, 2025.

City officials and local stakeholders developed this plan with funding support from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. Federal Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA) approval, and City adoption, of the Hazard Mitigation Plan allows the City to pursue pre- and post-disaster hazard mitigation grant opportunities.

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ServiceNet Hopes to Open Pittsfield Warming Center in Nov.

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:48AM / Thursday, October 15, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A warming center is again planned in the First United Methodist Church for the cold months.

During last week's Homelessness Advisory Committee meeting, Erin Forbush, director of shelter and housing at ServiceNet, reported that they hope to begin operating the nighttime center in mid-November.

It would operate from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. in the church, which abuts The Pearl shelter. Forbush said the warming center would be the same program as in the past.

"Again it's a warming center, so there's no cots or beds, but it is certainly a place to come in, and we'll have a hot coffee or cocoa ready for folks," she explained.

"It will be a place to be inside and warm."

This year, ServiceNet hopes to secure full funding from the state so the warming center can open on Sundays at 5 p.m. In years past, they found that Sunday is the most challenging day for unhoused individuals because many community spaces aren't open.

The First Housing Resource Center, managed by Hearthway, opened earlier this year as a low-barrier option for people to rest and access amenities. It is open seven days a week, and Forbush said if people could come to the warming center on Sundays at 5, there would be a fuller day of coverage.

"It does still leave a little gap for Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, as spaces like the library close at five, but we know that Sundays were something that people were looking for," she said.

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