WARWICK — In consideration of the town’s enduring response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Selectboard has unanimously appointed a deputy emergency manager.
At the request of Police Chief and Emergency Management Director David Shoemaker, the Selectboard appointed Warwick Police Sgt. John Stewart to the position during its Monday meeting.
“The emergency management director, for most towns, was never really envisioned to be a position that was needed for more than a week or so,” Shoemaker explained during Monday’s meeting.
Typically, emergency management directors prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters, such as heavy snowstorms and other emergencies. They may also help lead the response during and after emergencies, often in coordination with public safety officials, elected officials and government agencies.
“Emergencies, by definition, are short-term. They’re immediate, acute,” Shoemaker said during a phone interview Tuesday.
By comparison, the lasting COVID-19 public health emergency, while still needing some reaction-based response, has required more “maintenance” and oversight as Warwick and neighboring towns continue working to prevent the spread of the virus, Shoemaker said. However, the emergency management director is a volunteer position with “not a lot of money allocated to it.” Shoemaker said appointing Stewart as deputy emergency manager will help ensure the best service for the town.
“It’s not a one-person show by any means,” Shoemaker said Tuesday. “It will be helpful to have somebody who is in town as much as I am.”
One the biggest responsibilities during the pandemic has been communicating with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). Shoemaker said MEMA is in touch daily, and provides supplies that are unavailable at the retail level.
As deputy emergency manager, Stewart is now authorized to correspond with MEMA and pick up supplies for the town. Shoemaker also said appointing Stewart would help prepare for a “seamless transition” in the event Shoemaker is unavailable for an emergency situation.
As for the town’s preparedness during the health crisis, Shoemaker said he picked up personal protective equipment two weeks ago. He said the town is in “good shape” and will be prepared should a second wave of COVID-19 outbreaks occur this fall. For the most part, he said residents “have been fantastic,” acting responsibly to prevent spreading COVID-19.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.