Freedom Township to hear details of emergency preparedness plan

Freedom Township Hall

At next month’s meeting of the Freedom Township Board, it is scheduled to hear a presentation by Planning Commission Chair Matt Little, who also heads up the township’s safety committee, that has been working to develop a plan for about two years now.

“The Continuity and Emergency Preparedness plan basically is a written guideline of procedures that would be implemented in the event of a major disaster in our township,” Little said. “It outlines how the management of the township will interact with local, county, and state emergency personnel and operations as it pertains to any disaster–man made or natural.”

The ad-hoc committee was formed to create an Emergency Preparedness plan by former supervisor Dale Weidmayer but has languished in recent months despite the recent expansion of the Consumers Energy Compressor station adjacent to Pleasant Lake. At the board’s December 8 meeting, new supervisor Larry Lindemann requested Little to be prepared to present the plan at the January 12 meeting.

Little noted at the December meeting that many rural townships, perhaps as many as half, do not have this type of plan. However, having a safety plan can mean life or death in many situations, as was seen this spring in Midland and Gladwin Counties when several privately-owned dams broke and caused widespread flooding and huge property losses–but, fortunately, no loss of life because existing emergency safety plans were implemented immediately.

“Additionally,” Little said, “(the plan) guides our officials if our facilities or township officers are compromised in any way for back-up. The plan also has made us look at our Township Hall for an emergency shelter with generator power back up and is now officially registered with the American Red Cross.”

Two years ago, Little continued, he took a comprehensive two-day class administered through FEMA, Continuity of Government Planning for Rural Jurisdictions. At that time, he learned that rural townships are severely remiss in developing Continuity and Emergency Preparedness plans. “The (class was) useful in writing our plan; however, it took some time and work to retrofit to our small township. With help from our county emergency team lead by David Halteman of the WCSO, and after several drafts, we are finally ready to adopt.”

The meeting will be held at 8 pm on Tuesday, January 12. Public meetings may still be conducted via Zoom at that time and the meeting agenda will have details as the date approaches.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.