Dukes County Emergency Management Association

Dukes County Emergency Management Association Welcome to the official page for Dukes County Emergency Management Association. For emergencies, call 9-1-1

Dukes County Emergency Management Association (DCEMA) is a coalition of Emergency Management Directors, emergency medical services, fire service, law enforcement, health care, public health, public works, and community partners. Together we help mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and ​recover from human-made emergencies and natural disasters within Dukes County, Massachusetts (Martha's Vineyard and Cuttyhunk Islands). EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS:

Aquinnah​:
•Emergency Management Director: Forrest Filler

Chilmark:
•Emergency Management Director: Timothy Carroll
•Deputy Emergency Management Director: Jeremy Bradshaw

Edgartown:
•Emergency Management Director: Alex Schaeffer
•Deputy Emergency Management Director: Ryan Bottary

Dukes County
•Emergency Management Director: Martina Thornton
•Deputy Emergency Management Director: Kevin Brennan
•Regional Emergency Management Coordinator: Kevin Brennan

Gosnold:
•Emergency Management Director: Seth Garfield

Oak Bluffs:
•Emergency Management Director: Stephen Foster

Tisbury:
•Emergency Management Director: Patrick Ralston
•Deputy Emergency Management Director: William Brigham

West Tisbury:
•Emergency Management Director: Jennelle Gadowski

12/19/2025

If your area is impacted by a power outage, consider following these safety tips:

✔ Avoid downed power lines & assume they are live.
✔ Call 9-1-1 to report downed power lines.
✔ Report your power outage to your utility company.

⛑️ TONIGHT: FREE FIRST AID & STOP-THE-BLEED TRAINING ⛑️📍 West Tisbury Fire Station 2 | ⏰ 6PMLast year, members of MVCERT...
12/16/2025

⛑️ TONIGHT: FREE FIRST AID & STOP-THE-BLEED TRAINING ⛑️
📍 West Tisbury Fire Station 2 | ⏰ 6PM

Last year, members of MVCERT and MVDART gathered at the Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Department for hands-on First Aid and Stop-the-Bleed training, led by Oak Bluffs Ambulance Association . Those skills—tourniquet application, bleeding control, and rapid medical decision-making—are the same lifesaving fundamentals that continue to strengthen our island’s emergency preparedness.

Tonight, we’re building on that foundation.

Join MVCERT, and MVDART for a FREE certification training at WTFD, taught by Alan Ganapol of Be Prepared Group.

🩺 Tonight’s training includes:
• AHA HeartSaver First Aid Certification
• Stop-the-Bleed Certification
• Alpha-Gal Safety & EpiPen administration
• Hands-on, scenario-based instruction

👥 Open to current, new, and prospective members
💵 Free of charge

👉 RSVP here: https://forms.gle/MCwhKH2tUrzSAGiT9

Whether you trained with us last year or are joining for the first time, this is a great opportunity to sharpen critical skills and continue building a safer, more prepared Martha’s Vineyard.

12/13/2025
❄️ WINTER WEATHER OUTLOOK | SATURDAY NIGHT–SUNDAY ❄️The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting light to mode...
12/12/2025

❄️ WINTER WEATHER OUTLOOK | SATURDAY NIGHT–SUNDAY ❄️

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting light to moderate snowfall late Saturday night into Sunday morning for Martha’s Vineyard/Dukes County, with the potential for 2–3 inches of snow, especially for the Island’s south-facing and coastal areas.

While no major disruptions are expected, untreated roads, sidewalks, and driveways may become snow covered and slippery, particularly overnight and early Sunday.

Now is a good time to plan ahead and prepare 👇

🎒Winter Emergency Kit Essentials
•Flashlight & extra batteries
•Phone chargers / battery packs
•Non-perishable food & water
•Medications & basic first aid supplies
•Blankets & warm clothing

🏠 Prepare Your Home
•Check heating systems and fuel levels
•Clear snow away from vents and exhausts
•Keep pathways and exits clear

🚗 Prepare Your Vehicle
•Allow extra travel time and drive slowly
•Keep your gas tank at least half full
•Carry a winter car kit (blanket, shovel, jumper cables, sand or cat litter)

❄️ Shoveling Safety
•Wear layers to stay warm and prevent hypothermia
•Pace yourself and take breaks
•Push snow when possible—avoid heavy lifting

Please stay weather-aware, use caution, and check on neighbors who may need assistance. Updates will be shared as conditions evolve.

🔔 Follow US National Weather Service Boston MA and local public safety officials for the latest information.

12/12/2025

❄️Not much has changed in regard to the expected snowfall amounts late Sat night into early Sun. Potential for 1-2" of snow south of I-90 with a swath of 3-4" towards the south coast where snow lingers through Sunday. Snow moves into western MA/CT 9-11PM then spreads east.

12/11/2025

Happy December 1st! This month is already bringing winter weather from the Midwest to the Northeast. Prepare for winter storms now—add items to your emergency kit such as warm clothes, blankets, and a shovel. Prepare your home by adding insulation, caulking, and weather stripping.

12/11/2025
12/04/2025

Take extra care of your pets during winter weather. If you are feeling the chill, they are too! Bundle them up before heading outside and always make sure to clean their paws after they have been in the snow.

More tips for your furry friends: ready.gov/pets

🎁 GIVE THE GIFT OF PREPAREDNESS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! 🎁As we head into the winter months and holiday celebrations, consid...
12/01/2025

🎁 GIVE THE GIFT OF PREPAREDNESS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! 🎁

As we head into the winter months and holiday celebrations, consider giving gifts that help keep your loved ones safe, ready, and resilient.

Preparedness items are practical, meaningful, and can make a real difference in an emergency. Ready suggests great essentials such as:

🟧 Power & Light
• Solar/crank radio 📻
• Headlamp/flashlight + extra batteries 🔦
• Portable power bank ⚡️

🟩 Food & Water
• Water filter bottle or straw 🥤
• Water purification tablets 💧
• Long-lasting food bars/non-perishable food 🥫

🟥 First Aid & Safety
• Compact first aid kit 🩹
• Emergency blanket/fire extinguisher 🧯
• Whistle + dust masks 😷

🟪 Tools & Essentials
• Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife 🛠️
• Waterproof matches or lighter 🔥
• Local paper maps 🗺️

These thoughtful items can help friends and family stay informed, stay warm, and stay safe—no matter what the season brings.

✨ Be Ready. Stay Safe. Support Preparedness.
We wish you a safe, prepared, and peaceful holiday season.

📌 Learn more at Ready.gov

11/20/2025

Be ready for winter travel by stocking up on essentials for your car! Build your emergency kit with these items:
- Warmth: blankets & hand warmers
- Communication: phone charger & power bank
- First aid: kit & meds
- Food: granola bars & water
- Tools: ice scraper & tire chains

11/18/2025

Temperatures are getting colder. ❄️ As you heat your home, prevent home fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups, and make sure you keep anything that can burn 3 feet away from heat sources.

Address

6 Firehouse Lane
Oak Bluffs, MA
02557

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About Us!

Our unified groups educate and assist the community, the towns, the Tribe and emergency personnel. To learn more please contact us!

American Red Cross- Ilona Metell- Ilona.metell@RedCross.org

Medical Reserve Corps- Marina Lent- Mlent@chilmarkma.gov

MV Disaster Animal Response Team - Marina Lent- Mlent@chilmarkma.gov