2008 Annual Town Report is dedicated to the men and women of the North Brookfield Emergency Management Agency,

By Ruth Lyon
Turley Publications Reporter

NORTH BROOKFIELD - When town officials realized the extent of damage from the ice storm of Dec. 11, 2008, North Brookfield Emergency Management Agency officials quickly came together to establish an emergency shelter at the high school. That dedication
was honored by selectmen this week.

"This 2008 Annual Town Report is dedicated to the men and women of the North Brookfield Emergency Management Agency," announced acting select chair Mary Walter. Under the management of emergency management director Doug Blood, this
enthusiastic group of residents has proven that times of crisis can bring out the best in people. NBEMA organized volunteers (some of whom used their own vehicles) to obtain food from Hannaford's, and to transport residents to and from the shelter as needed.
Levels of entertainment were provided through a video setup and use of the school gym for children to let off steam. For three days the shelter was kept open, serving hundreds of hot meals while providing residents a place to warm up with a cup of coffee, or even stay overnight in a warm bed. The citizens of North Brookfield, through the coordinated efforts of t he NBEMA, came together as a group to take care of one another.

Following the reading, Walter distributed copies of the report, its cover bearing a photo of the group, congratulating them once more for their bravo performance. She noted also that the group has gained new members since, and probably as a result of, their work in December.

Click http://www.northbrookfield.net/nbema.htm for the list of current members.