For more information, check out these partners and resources.
| Site | Details |
|---|---|
| VolunteerMaine | VolunteerMaine, an initiative of the Maine Commission for Community Service, links agencies in Maine looking for volunteers with people in Maine interested in volunteering. After disasters, a link is provided to donate cash, goods and services to support those affected. |
| 211 Maine | 2-1-1 Maine is a comprehensive statewide directory of over 8,000 health and human services available in Maine. During emergencies they can provide information on support services and assist those wanting to make a donation to help those affected. |
| Maine Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (MEVOAD) | Members of the Maine VOAD form a coalition of nonprofit organizations that respond to disasters as part of their overall mission. |
| US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development | RD helps rural areas to develop and grow by offering Federal assistance that improves quality of life. For grant or loan assistance to repair or rehabilitate your rural home, visit USDA’s Rural Development page or contact the Rural Development office serving your county. |
| National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) | National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership-based organization that serves as the forum where organizations share knowledge and resources throughout the disaster cycle ? preparation, response, recovery and mitigation ? to help disaster survivors and their communities. |
| Maine Association of Local Emergency Managers | MALEM is a non-profit organization representing local emergency management in Maine |
| FEMA: Download Mobile App | From this page you can download FEMA's mobile app for Android, Apple or Blackberry mobile devices. Features timely weather alerts you can customize for your area, as well as preparedness and other information. |
| NWS: Flood Potential and Forecasts (Inland and Coastal) | |
| American Red Cross Mobile Apps | These mobile apps are for emergencies and everyday use. The "Emergency" all-inclusive app lets you receive more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts, to help keep you and your loved ones safe. For Apple or Android. |
| FEMA's Ready.gov: Emergency Planning Checklists | Includes family emergency plans, communications plans, pet emergency plans and more. Create plans with your family and make sure everyone has a copy. |
| FEMA's Ready.gov | A wealth of information for emergency planning and safety for families, businesses and more. |
| American Red Cross; Safe and Well (safeandwell.org) | An Internet-based tool where people within a disaster affected area can register themselves as "safe and well" and concerned family and friends can search for messages posted by those who have registered. Share the site with your family including phone number 1-866-GET-INFO to register if no Internet access. |
| Maine Disaster Bevahioral Health: Resources | Provides a wealth of information about helping friends and neighbors after a traumatic event. |
| American Red Cross: Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilites | Tips to provide people with disabilities and their caregivers with guidance in managing communications, equipment, pets and home hazards. Co-authored by the American Red Cross and FEMA. |
| FEMA's Ready.gov: Individuals with Access and Functional Needs | A wealth of emergency planning resources for people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. |
| March of Dimes: Preparing for a Disaster When You're Pregnant | Being in a disaster when you?re pregnant can make things even more stressful. This site offers a number of suggestions on getting prepared ahead of time. |
| American Red Cross: Preparedness for Seniors | Special tips for emergency planning for seniors, starting with creating your own support network. |
| FEMA's Ready.gov: Preparedness for Seniors | Commonsense measures older Americans can take to start preparing for emergencies before they happen. |
| SAMHSA: Psychosocial Issues for Older Adults in Disasters | Gives mental health professionals, emergency response workers, and caregivers tools to provide disaster mental health and recovery support to older adults. Download digital version or order free printed copies. |
| American Red Cross: Youth Preparedness | The American Red Cross is committed Resources for schools, scout groups, and youth-serving organizations to help youth and young adults become better prepared for a disaster or emergency. Offers age-appropriate preparedness materials and trainings to educate youth with engaging activities and easy action steps. |
| FEMA's Ready.gov: Be a Hero! Disaster Preparedness for Kids | Information and games for kids, parents and educators to get the whole family prepared for emergencies and have fun along the way. Resources for educators include curriculum and games for elementary and high school students. |
| Sesame Street: Let's Get Ready | Information, games, videos and more to get ready for any emergency. |
| March of Dimes: Caring for You Baby in a Disaster | Common sense planning steps to be prepared to take care of your baby in the stress of an emergency. |
| SAMHSA: Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event | A guide to helps parents and teachers recognize common reactions children of different age groups experience after a disaster or traumatic event, offering tips for how to respond in a helpful way and when to seek support. Download digital version or order free printed copies. |
| American Red Cross: Making a Plan for your Pets | The best way to protect your household from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan must include your pets. Being prepared can save their lives. |
| Humane Society of the United States: Disaster Preparedness for Your Animals | Disaster planing tips for pets, horses and farm animals. |
| Humane Society of the United States: Disaster Preparedness Quiz | Imagine a scenario where that a police officer knocks at your door. A hurricane is quickly approaching, and you have 45 minutes to evacuate. You have pets, horses or farm animals. Find out if you're ready! |
| Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress: Psychological First Aid | Your actions and interactions with others can help provide "psychological first aid" to people in distress, helping to create an environment of safety, calming, connectedness to others, empowerment, and hopefulness. Page contains link to a helpful fact sheet. |
| Maine Disaster Behavioral Health | Maine?s Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team (DBHRT) is a statewide team of trained volunteers who respond locally to disasters and public health emergencies by working within healthcare and school facilities, walking through neighborhoods, providing services to impacted family and friends at local reception centers and FEMA Services Centers. |
| SAMHSA: Psychological First Aid for First Responders | Gives tips to emergency response workers and disaster response workers to help disaster survivors cope with the psychological aspects of a traumatic event. Download digital version or order free printed copies. |
| SAMHSA: Tips for First Responders, Preventing and Managing Stress | Provides tips to help disaster response workers prevent and manage stress. Includes strategies to help responders before, during and after the assignment. Download digital version or order free printed copies. |
| SAMHSA: Tips for College Students: After a Disaster or Other Trauma | Uses text-message shorthand to offer college students tips for coping after a disaster or other traumas. Describes ways students can cope with anxiety, fear, and sadness after a disaster or traumatic event. Download digital version or order free printed copies. |
| FEMA's Ready.gov: Family Emergency Plans for Kids and Parents | Prepare yourself and your family for a disaster by making an emergency plan. Download the Family Communication Plan for Parents and Kids, print the pages and fill them in offline. |
| US CDC: Emergency Preparedness and You | You can take steps now to help you prepare for an emergency and cope if an emergency happens. To help you prepare, CDC has provided step-by-step actions you can take beforehand to protect yourself and your loved ones. |
| American Red Cross: Prepare for Emergencies | Become ?Red Cross Ready? for an emergency means following simple steps in advance to ensure you can weather a crisis safely and comfortably. |
| FEMA's Ready.gov: Ready Business | Ready Business assists businesses in developing a preparedness program by providing tools to create a plan that addresses the impact of many hazards. The five steps in developing a preparedness program are Program Management, Planning, Implementation, Testing and Exercises, and Program Improvement. |
| American Red Cross: Ready Rating | Make sure your organization is safe and ready. Ready Rating is a program that helps businesses, schools and organizations become prepared for disasters and other emergencies. Become a Ready Rating Member to see how you compare and where you can improve. |
| Institute for Business and Home Safety: Open for Business | OFB-EZ (Open For Business-EZ) is a free business continuity tool designed to help even the smallest businesses focus on planning for any type of business interruption, so they can quickly re-open and resume operations following a disaster. Resouces include a mobile app to facilitate planning. |
| SBA: Disaster Planning | Resources to protect your business by identifying the risks associated with natural and man-made disasters, and by creating a plan for action should a disaster strike. By keeping those plans updated, you can help ensure the survival of your business. |
| SBA/Agility Recovery: Prepare My Business | SBA and Agility Recovery are working together to encourage all small businesses to have a recovery plan in place. SBA's programs and services are targeted specifically to small businesses. Agility Recovery offers testable, turn-key disaster recovery solutions and business continuity services for small and mid-size businesses. |
| Maine State Statute: Requirement for School Emergency Planning | Title 20-A MRSA §1001 ¶16. Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan |
| American Red Cross: Resources for Schools/Educating for Emergencies | Includes age-appropriate preparedness materials and trainings to educate youth with engaging activities and easy action steps. |
| FEMA's Ready.gov: Youth Preparedness Strategies and Resources | A many-faceted approach from FEMA and a broad coalition of partners including the American Red Cross and the Department of Education to engage youth in emergency preparedness. Includes a wide range of programs and resources for educators and community leaders. |
| Safe Havens International | Michael Dorn, the Executive Director of this non-profit organization, is a leading expert on school preparedness in the U.S. He has visited Maine several times to deliver compelling talks on school preparedness. |
| Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center | Administered by the U.S. Department of Education?s (ED) Office of Safe and Healthy Students (OSHS), the REMS TA Center provides a hub of information, resources, training, and services in the field of school and higher ed emergency operations planning. |
| FEMA: IS-100.SCa Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS) for Schools | This online training promotes school safety by familiarizing school personnel with how ICS principles can be applied in school-based incidents and preparing them to interface with local emergency responders. FEMA provides this training at no cost. |
| FEMA: IS-360: Preparing for Mass Casualty Incidents: A Guide for School, Higher Education and Houses of Worship | This online training provides leading practices and resources to assist schools and higher education. FEMA provides this training at no cost. |
| FEMA: IS-362.A: Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools | This FEMA Independent Study course covers basic information about developing, implementing, and maintaining a school emergency operations plan (EOP). The goal of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the importance of schools having an EOP and basic information on how an EOP is developed, exercised, and maintained. FEMA provides this training at no cost. |
| Maine Department of Education, School Security | Maine DOE offers many additional resources that can be used to educate and assist school officials in making schools safe. |
| The I Luv You Guys Foundation | The "I Love U Guys" Foundation was created to restore and protect the joy of youth through educational programs and positive actions in collaboration with families, schools, communities, organizations and government entities. |
| State of Washington: Map your Neighborhood | The Map Your Neighborhood program guides you and your neighbors through simple steps to help enhance your preparedness for an emergency. These steps will help you to quickly and safely take actions that can minimize damage and protect lives. From Washington Emergency Management |
| NOAA: Be a Force of Nature/Weather-Ready Nation | NOAA?s Weather-Ready Nation initiative is about building community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather and water events. |
| FEMA: IS-909: Community Preparedness: Implementing Simple Activities for Everyone | This free online cource from FEMA presents a model program for community preparedness. In addition, resources materials are available to help organizations conduct simple preparedness activities for everyone. |
| FEMA: Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) | CERT educates individuals about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT volunteers can assist others in their community following a disaster when first responders are not immediately available to help and assist in community preparedness. |
| Knox County ARES/RACES-CERT | The Knox County ARES/RACES-CERT is made up of volunteer Amateur Radio Operators from across Knox County. The team is a joint operation between Knox County EMA and the Penobscot Bay Amateur Radio Club.You can also find them on Facebook. |
| Caribou CERT | Caribou has one of the active CERT Teams in Maine, and train regularly under the direction of the Caribou EMA Director. Caribou CERT has been active over the last number of years and has activated the team in response to severe weather and public safety events, as well as supporting various community functions. |
| Kennebec County CERT | Kennebec County Emergency Management is proud of it's CERT team. The team is comprised of civilian volunteers from various walks of life who have banded together as a valued resource to the communities of the county. |
| Penobscot County Maine Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Communications Team | We are a registered volunteer organization that provides emergency communications via Amateur Radio to served agencies here within Penobscot County and also to surrounding counties on a mutual aid basis. |
| Androscoggin County CERT | Androscoggin Unified EMA is the support agency for the local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The Androscoggin County CERT meets every last Monday of the month at the EOC at 5:30 PM. |
| Franklin County CERT | The Franklin County CERT is a team of volunteers, the Citizen Emergency Response Team, who meet monthly and are ready to assist the FCEMA director in an emergency situation. |
| Mercer CERT (on Facebook) | The Mercer CERT serves their community but also deploys throughout Somerset County and to other areas through mutual aid. |
| OXCART: Oxford County Animal Response Team (on Facebook) | OXCART's motto is "Helping People, Helping Animals." |
| Somerset County Animal Response Team/CART (on Facebook) | The Somerset County Animal Response Team works to address the needs of animals during natural or man-made disasters. The number one reason people refuse to evacuate their homes during an emergency is because they don?t want to leave a pet behind. |
| Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) | The Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment, with their local ARES leadership, for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. |
| Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service/RACES | RACES stands for "Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service," a protocol created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission. Many government agencies across the country train their Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) volunteers using the RACES protocol. The volunteers serve their respective jurisdictions pursuant to guidelines and mandates established by local emergency management officials. |
| Disaster Distress Helpline | The Helpline is available 24 hours of day for anyone feeling stressed about disasters.. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. |
| SAMHSA: Disaster Helpline Brochure | Brochure promoting the Disaster Distress Helpline and offering tips for coping with stress after a disaster. Dowload digital (.pdf)version or order free printed copies. TIPS FOR COPING WITH STRESS AFTER A DISASTER: |
| SAMHSA: Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Traumatic Event | Offers self-help tips for coping with the aftermath of trauma. Discusses the long-term impact of trauma, including personal uncertainties, family relationship changes, work disruptions, and financial concerns. Download digital (.pdf) version or order free printed copies. |
| Maine DEP: Report a Fuel Spill | To report a spill and get DEP assistance with clean-up, call the department?s 24-hour emergency spill hotline at (800) 482-0777. During regular business hours, the call will go to DEP. During nights, weekends and holidays, the call will be routed through a Maine State Police dispatcher who will forward your call to our on-call staff. |
| FLASH.org: Power Outage - Keeping Food Safe | It's important to be aware that food that has not been refrigerated can cause severe health problems. For additional information about food safety during power outages, call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. From the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes |
| FLASH.org: Floods: After the Storm - Important Tips | Damage to your home can have a dramatic emotional impact and it's best to have a plan before the storm strikes for how to reenter your home. Having a plan and being aware of certain risks will minimize the threat of harm to you or your family. |
| FLASH.org: Floods: After the Storm - Returning Home | A simple checklist to help you get started on assessing damage in your home after the flood and begin taking charge of the cleanup. |
| FLASH.org: Cleaning up Flood Damage | Tips on safe re-entry to your home, documenting damage and cleaning up. |
| FLASH: Federal Alliance for Safe Homes | A huge library of disaster tips, how-to-videos and publications from a leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters. |
| MaineHousing | MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority) has a number of grant and loan programs for home repair for qualified homeowners. The Maine Home Repair Program can assist with myriad repairs and replacements for your home structure, power plant systems, well, or septic. Their LIHEAP program can also help eligible households with fuel assistance, weatherization, and central heating improvement. |
| Maine Community Action Association | There are 10 Community Action Program (CAP) agencies across Maine that can connect eligible individuals and households to emergency fuel, local food pantries, home repair, affordable rental apartments, and other programs. |
| General Assistance Program | Each town has a general assistance program to help people in emergencies, including natural disasters, that are threatened by destitution or homelessness. You may be eligible even if you work or receive other benefits or Social Security income. Contact your local town office to inquire about and apply for general assistance. |
| Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses | Special tax provisions that may help taxpayers and businesses recovery financially from the impact of a disaster. |
| Maine Bureau of Insurance: File a Complaint | Check out how to file, how the Bureau handles complaints, and tips for dealing with your insurance company. |
| Maine Bureau of Insurance: Frequentlly Asked Questions | FAQs on a wide range of topics relating to all types of insurance issues. |
| State of Maine: Regulatory Licensing and Permitting | In Maine, general building contractors do not need a license. But, electricians, fuel burner technicians, manufactured housing mechanics, plumbers and transient sellers (e.g., door-to-door home repair sellers) are licensed by the state. You can search for individuals, companies, and worksites to see whether their licenses are active or not. |
| Maine Attorney General: Home Construction Warning | If you are considering hiring a contractor to repair disaster damage, here are some helpful tips. |
| Maine Attorney General: Consumer Complaints or Questions | If you have concerns or complaints about a contractor or other business after a disaster (or at any time) you can contact the Attorney General?s Consumer Protection Division. |
| Better Business Bureau | Through the BBB you can look up information on companies you are or are thinking of doing business with. You can also file a complaint. |
| Mainr Commission for Community Service | The Maine Commission for Community Service builds capacity and sustainability in Maine's volunteer and service communities by funding programs, developing managers of volunteers, raising awareness of sector issues, and promoting service as a strategy. The Commission is Maine government?s partner for the federal Corporation for National Service, coordinating programs such as Americorps. |
| Maine River Flow Advisory Commission: Riverwatch | A portal to real-time river and weather information |
| FEMA's Ready.gov: Floods | What to do when you receive a flood watch or warning alert from the National Weather Service for your local area and what to do before, during, and after a flood. |
| American Red Cross: Flood Safety | How to recognize flood warnings to preparation, management and after-flood tips from the American Red Cross. |
| The Weather Channel: Flood Safety and Preparedness | Real-world stories about the dangers of flooding, plus forecasts and alerts. |
| NWS: Flood Safety | An interactive flood map, information describing the different types of flooding, educational material, and resources on how the National Weather Service keeps you aware of potentially dangerous flooding situations. (Flooding is the primary cause of hurricane-related deaths.) |
| Severe Summer Storms | National Weather Service forecasts and statements relating to severe summer storms. |
| NWS: Severe Storm Awareness | Awareness, preparedness and safety information for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. |
| NWS: Lightning Safety | Insight into the science of lightning, animated books about lightning, safety tips for all kinds of situations, and games for kids and resources for teachers. |
| NWS: Rip Current Safety | Can you spot the rip? Safety tips, videos games and other resources on rip currents and other beach hazards to help make your day at a (Maine) beach a safe one. |
| USCG:Safe Boating App | All your safe boating needs in one mobile app, from the US Coast Guard. For Apple and Android devices. |
| UMaine Cooperative Extension: Food Safety for Camping and Hiking | Eating and drinking safely while enjoying the great Maine outdoors and the beauty of nature. |
| Hurricanes and Tropical Storms | National Weather Service forecasts and statements, and a portal to the latest information from the National Hurricanr Center |
| American Red Cross:Hurricane Preparedcess | Learn how to prepare for all the hazards associated with hurricanes and tropical storms: flooding, storm surge, high winds and tornadoes. |
| The Weather Channel: Hurricane Safety and Preparedness | Real-world stories of hurricanes and tropical storms, hurricane tracking and safety information |
| Severe Witer Storms | Forecasts and statements from the Natiobal Weather Service |
| NWS: Winter Safety | Learn how to stay safe in a winter storm or in abnormally cold weather. Find winter alerts, science and hazards, snow coverage maps and information describing the different types of winter storms as well as how to deal with extreme cold. You'll also find a broad array of educational materials. |
| Winter Driving Tips | Winter Tips A Baker's Dozen (and Then Some) from National Public Radio's "Car Talk." |
| FEMA's Ready.gov: Ready KIds Winter Storms/Extreme Cold | Quick tips on getting through any winter weather. And new vocabulary too! |
| CMP: Generator Safety Tips | Tips to make sure your generator is a help to you in an extended power outage, not a danger. |
| Maine CDC:Carbon Monoxide Safety | Carbon monoxide kills. Learn how to stay safe. |
| American Red Cross: Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes | Information and suggestions around how to prevent water pipes in the home from freezing, and how to thaw them if they do freeze. |
| MaineHousing: Weatherization Resources | MaineHousing?s Weatherization Program provides grants to low-income homeowners and renters to reduce energy costs by improving home energy efficiency. |
| EfficiencyMaine: Energy and Money-Saving Tips | A number of low- and no-cost tips to lower your energy consumption and energy costs, especially in the winter. |