EMA officials talk
winter storm preps

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Rhode Island and Providence emergency officials want to make sure the state is prepared for a winter storm before the snow even starts to fly.

At the State House Tuesday morning, Providence Emergency Management Agency Director Peter Gaynor presented the PEMA's winter storm preparations for the coming year.

He discussed the results on an independent report that came out in May titled, "Vital Lessons," which was put together after the December Debacle, the snow storm during which thousands of people were stranded for hours on Rhode Island roads, including bus loads of Providence school children.

Gaynor said there have been modifications to school cancelation and early-release procedures, as well as plans put in place to open shelters for students waiting to be picked up.

As part of the PEMA's newly established school closing criteria, schools must close if there is four or more inches of snow during the school day. Schools could also close with less than four inches if there's ice or sleet on the road.

Gaynor also reported on improvements in the city's communications system, including the use of backup cell phones and Blackberry phones. In addition, 75 Providence and state officials attended an emergency management course.

In October, Providence Public School District also revised its snow plan and established a Snow Response Team.

PEMA has also beefed up its website, and launched FLASHbrief - a web-based alert system that sends up-to-date information on school closings and emergency situations in Providence to a subscribers computer.

During the meeting, President of the RI Association of Fire Chiefs Timothy McLaughlin presented information about preventing fires during the winter months.

The RI Chapter of the American Red Cross also reported on Red Cross shelter designation and planning.