Course Offering Residents First-Hand Look At Emergency Management Returning

Hannah Chabin wasn’t sure what went into Bristol Township’s emergency management operations until she attended the Citizens Disaster Preparedness Training class offered by the municipality earlier this year.

The free four-part class led by Fire Marshal and Emergency Manager Kevin Dippolito covered the general operations of the township’s emergency management team and responders, hazards and vulnerabilities in the community, a review of how large-scale incidents are handled, ways to protect property, first aid training, fire safety information, and a review of the four functions of emergency management – preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.

Chabin said she found the entire course fascinating and it showed her how much work township emergency responders do to prepare for any situation that could arise.

“I figured I could learn some skills from it and I thought it would be interested, but I was surprised to learn about how they prepare for every type of emergency,” she said. “I never knew Bristol Township was so prepared.”

Some of the key takeaways for Chabin were the emergency response lessons, information about how reservoirs in New York can impact flooding along the Delaware River in Bristol Township, and the cooperation between emergency response organizations.

“I didn’t know that it’s not just this township,” she said. “In an emergency, they have to all work together.”

Another plus was Chabin met fellow residents.

She praised Dippolito for his leadership of the class, noting he made the material interesting and relatable.

“I feel strongly that if there were more people who took that class, they would have a better understanding of situations like disasters. It would give them a better understanding of what happens and how it comes together,” Chabin explained.

The class was designed to inform township residents and to prepare them for what could happen.

Over the recent years, Bristol Township has seen heavy damage from Hurricane Sandy, several prolonged power outages, crippling snow and ice storms, a major industrial collapse, and this summer brought a spate of serve thunderstorms.

Chabin said some of the emergency response training from the class came in handy at her job recently.

“We had a medical incident at work, and I was able to deal with it using skills from the class,” she said.

Dippolito said he is planning to offer another Citizens Disaster Preparedness Training course in the spring. For an application or additional information, contact Dippolito at kdippolito@bristoltownship.org or call 267-812-2907.