Emergency Preparedness

The Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency works closely with the Capital Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) and the Capital Region Emergency Planning Committee (CREPC) in all of its emergency preparedness efforts. These efforts include preparation of the Region's Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, and support of the Region's Citizens' Corps and municipal emergency preparedness and response planning programs.

Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan

To economize on the resources that are available to assist local governments in planning to mitigate the impact of disasters related to natural hazards such as hurricanes, ice storms, floods, etc., the State has contracted with the Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency to prepare a Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan that covers all seven municipalities in the Region.

911 Call Center Regionalization Study

Throughout most of the Country, regional communication centers are used frequently. However, a lack of county government in Connecticut has created a situation in which many towns have their own communications center. The Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency has been contracted by the Connecticut Department of Public Safety to examine the potential for regionalization of Communication Centers for its towns of Berlin, Bristol, New Britain, Plainville, Plymouth and Southington along with the towns of Meriden, Newington, Rocky Hill, Thomaston, Watertown, Wethersfield and Wolcott. To review the study, please see Plans and Publications.

Citizens’ Corps

This program is part of the Federal initiative to promote volunteerism and emergency readiness among Americans. The regional program is overseen by the Capital Region Emergency Planning Committee's Emergency Services Function (ESF#16) Volunteer Management Subcommittee which is described in more detail at here.

The Citizen Corps is made up of five existing community programs:

1. Neighborhood Watch: Helping to keep your own community a safe place.
2. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT): A training program to promote self-help and support in an emergency.
3. Volunteers in Police Service: A program to support our Public Safety Services.
4. Medical Reserve Corps: Volunteers for medical emergencies.
5. Operation TIPS: The Terrorist Information and Prevention program: A new program promoting watchfulness.

In addition, the Citizen Corps program promotes and supports such established programs as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Americorps VISTA, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, and others. The Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency serves as a resource for such groups for federal funding to pay for Citizens Corps training and equipment.

To join a Citizen Corps group please contact your neighborhood Police or Fire Department, Health District Office, one of the above listed associated volunteer organizations, or the Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency; or join on-line here.

Municipal Emergency Preparedness and Response

Every town in the State is required to maintain a plan for responding to disasters of all types - an all hazards plan. The Agency works closely with the Capital Region Emergency Planning Committee (CREPC) to assure that the hazard plans for municipalities in the region are complete and up-to-date, and to assure that appropriate funding for the completion of those plans is provided by the Federal and State governments to the Central Connecticut Region and its member municipalities.