Freedom Township draws large turnout at Sept. 18 safety event

Freedom Township Clerk, Valisa Bristle (right) introduces state representative Donna Lasinski at Saturday’s safety event at the township hall.

submitted by Carol Westfall, Freedom Township resident

Nearly 60 residents sat under tents at the Freedom Township Hall on a beautiful September day and listened to 20 local, county, state, and federal safety experts, as well as employees of six pipeline companies, discuss safety issues and answer questions.

This event was organized by Freedom Township and coordinated by Township Clerk, Valisa Bristle. She opened the meeting by explaining that the event was developed with the goal of calling attention to the unique risks that impact Freedom Township and to increase communications, educate, and encourage dialogue on ways to improve safety for residents.

The event included comments by Chris Matus, Regional Director for Senator Gary Peters. Sen. Peters chairs the U.S. Senate’s Homeland Security Committee which focuses on safety engagement at all levels throughout the country. Matus promised continued efforts for safety support opportunities for Freedom Township, such as federal pipeline safety grants. State Representative Donna Lasinski asked attendees to expand their view of safety to also include Covid-19 protection (ie, keeping each other safe by following public health guidelines), prior planning, and improved communications to assure fellow residents know what to do in case of an emergency. Lasinski noted that rural areas are facing a unique challenge as land line telephones are getting replaced more and more by cell phones, yet rural cell phone and broadband service is often unreliable or nonexistent.

Washtenaw County’s 3rd District Commissioner Shannon Beeman highlighted recent achievements to secure funding approval for expanded local Broadband infrastructure in our area and her focus on safety.

Attendees also heard from experts such as Jeffrey Tippert, an incident team leader from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency who outlined the EPA’s planned response strategy in the event of a spill or leak. Michigan State Police Lt. Timothy Ketvirtis, District Coordinator for Emergency Management and Homeland Security, stressed the need for solid communications at all levels of law enforcement and emergency responders to plan for a wide range of possible dangers. He also emphasized the importance of resident engagement and paying attention to things that look out of place.

David Chislea, Gas Program Manager, Michigan Public Service Commission, provided an overview of the MPSC inspection and damage prevention programs. David Halteman, Washtenaw County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director, highlighted the new Consumers Energy siren and how it is connected to the county’s 911 system. He also emphasized the importance of all residents signing up for the Everbridge warning network which will send alerts to resident phones and/or emails. Manchester Township Fire Department Chief Bill Scully discussed how his group is trained and responds to local emergencies. His department would be the first called to respond to any safety emergency dispatched by 911.

There were also interesting presentations by representatives from the oil and gas companies — Consumers Energy, BP, Enbridge, and Energy Transfer (ET Rover, Panhandle). MISS DIG 811’s representative emphasized the importance of calling 811 prior to starting any construction projects or digging on your property, as many avoidable safety accidents are actually caused by residents or contractors.

Kay Lancour, Public Safety expert from Consumers Energy, received a strong round of applause during her talk as a result of the Consumers’ recent installation of the first-ever warning siren in Freedom Township.

All speakers fielded questions from attendees, many of them focused on concerns about safety and coordination of emergency efforts in Freedom Township. Residents spoke highly of the event and seemed impressed with the improved safety coordination among officials. They also appreciated the progress on safety, especially the siren. For Everbridge to alert residents of emergencies, however, effective Broadband and cell phone service are required.

Residents asked tough questions and several stated that they’d like to see even greater coordination and safety planning among gas and pipeline companies and first responders. All were appreciative of having all the various safety experts there to answer those questions.

Bristle closed the event by explaining that the Township had established a Safety Committee in 2017 to evaluate safety needs in Freedom Township and recommend necessary upgrades. Since then, a Safety Plan has been developed, a generator has been installed at the town hall, the Township Hall has received American Red Cross approval for use as an emergency shelter, and this safety event was held. Bristle and Larry Lindemann, Freedom Township Supervisor, thanked residents and speakers for their participation.

Overall, everyone seemed to agree that this successful safety event was a good first step in the township’s ongoing effort to improve safety planning, communication, training, exercises, and coordination.

Eric Urban, MISS DIG spokesman giving his presentation at Saturday’s safety event. Many residents commented this brief was very educational!

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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.