New Milford CERT

05/30/2026

It's been a busy week for the team. Memorial Day parade Monday, Tuesday at the high school health fair and today we assisted the town's Senior Center with their paper shredding day for seniors. The team set up a traffic flow and assisted unloading the vehicles!

05/28/2026

Yesterday our team was at the New Milford High School Health Fair. We provided emergency preparedness information, quizzed them about heat related emergencies, and explained the roll of the team here in town.

05/04/2026

Fire danger in Connecticut today is HIGH. No outside burning if any Kind! Watch your cigarette stubs!

04/17/2026

It's not too late to sign up for our Free 20 hour Emergency Preparedness training beginning this coming Tuesday. If interested, email at [email protected]

04/10/2026

NO burning even if you have a burn permit!!

03/08/2026

What is Emergency Preparedness and how can I get trained?

Emergency preparedness is the process of planning, organizing, and preparing resources so people and organizations can effectively respond to and recover from emergencies or disasters. The goal is to reduce harm to people, property, and infrastructure when unexpected events occur.
Our free 20 hour program is now open for registration. For more information click on this link: www.NewMilfordCERT.org

02/04/2026

New Milford CERT is always looking for volunteers that want to get involved with community activities. It's a great way to give back, get educated on Emergency Preparedness and establish new relationships. New Milford CERT offers a FREE 20 hour Emergency Preparedness Training that is a pre-requisite for joining CERT. You can also take advantage of this free training and choose not to join CERT. Our next training begins April 21st. Review the flier and review our website to get a better understanding of who we are and what we do. Hope to see you in April. www.NewMilfordCERT.org.

01/23/2026

Are you prepared for the upcoming storm? Review this checklist for things you can do before, during and after the storm. Be Prepared.

BEFORE THE STORM (24–48 HOURS AHEAD)
❄️1. Charge all phones, power banks, tablets, and rechargeable lanterns.
❄️2. Fill vehicle gas tanks in case stations lose power.
❄️3. Get cash in small bills in case card systems go down.
❄️4. Pick up prescriptions and essential medications early.
❄️5. Download movies, books, and maps for offline use.
❄️6. Identify one warm room in the house to “camp out” if power fails.
❄️7. Locate water shut-off valve and breaker box now, not later.
❄️8. Set fridge and freezer to colder settings to hold temperature longer.

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WATER AND PIPE PROTECTION
❄️9. Drip faucets on exterior walls when temps drop below freezing.
❄️10. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air circulation.
❄️11. Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor spigots.
❄️12. Cover outdoor faucets with insulated caps or towels.
❄️13. Know how to shut off water quickly if a pipe bursts.
❄️14. Fill jugs, buckets, or bathtub with water for flushing and washing.

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FOOD AND KITCHEN PREP
❄️15. Keep 3–5 days of no-cook food: peanut butter, tuna, bread, crackers, canned meat, fruit cups.
❄️16. Have manual can opener available.
❄️17. Buy shelf-stable milk or powdered milk if needed.
❄️18. Freeze a few water bottles to act as freezer “ice packs.”
❄️19. Keep a cooler ready to move fridge food outside if power is out and temps are below freezing.
❄️20. Avoid stocking large amounts of perishables right before the storm.

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HEAT AND HOME SAFETY
❄️21. Gather extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm layers.
❄️22. If using a fireplace, confirm chimney is clear and have dry wood.
❄️23. Never run generators or grills inside garages or homes.
❄️24. Test smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.
❄️25. Have at least one flashlight per person plus spare batteries.
❄️26. Use battery lanterns instead of candles when possible.

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VEHICLE AND TRAVEL
❄️27. Plan to avoid driving once freezing rain begins.
❄️28. Bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads freeze first.
❄️29. Keep in the car: blanket, water, snacks, phone charger, gloves.
❄️30. Replace old wiper blades and top off washer fluid.
❄️31. Park away from large tree limbs when possible.
❄️32. Assume flights and travel may be disrupted for days.

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POWER OUTAGE PLAN
❄️33. Unplug sensitive electronics to avoid surge damage.
❄️34. Keep one battery radio or weather app for updates.
❄️35. Use surge protectors for TVs and computers.
❄️36. Know where warming centers may be in your parish.
❄️37. Have extension cords ready if using a generator outside.
❄️38. Keep refrigerator closed to preserve cold air.

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PETS AND LIVESTOCK
❄️39. Bring pets indoors with extra food and water.
❄️40. Provide outdoor animals with unfrozen water sources.
❄️41. Add straw or blankets to outdoor shelters.
❄️42. Keep leashes and carriers accessible in case of evacuation.

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MEDICAL AND SPECIAL NEEDS
❄️43. Keep a written list of medications and dosages.
❄️44. Store a small first-aid kit with thermometer and basic meds.
❄️45. Have backup batteries for medical devices.
❄️46. Identify a place with power you could relocate to if needed.

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PROPERTY PROTECTION
❄️47. Move vehicles away from trees or power lines.
❄️48. Secure outdoor furniture and lightweight items.
❄️49. Avoid trimming trees during the storm—do it beforehand.
❄️50. Photograph property for insurance before conditions worsen.

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DURING THE STORM
❄️51. Do not drive unless absolutely necessary.
❄️52. Assume downed lines are live and dangerous.
❄️53. Use only safe indoor heating methods.
❄️54. Check on neighbors, especially elderly, by phone if possible.
❄️55. Report outages to utility companies rather than 911 unless it’s an emergency.

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AFTER THE STORM
❄️56. Walk carefully—ice may refreeze overnight.
❄️57. Check pipes for leaks as temperatures rise.
❄️58. Throw out refrigerated food if above 40°F for more than 4 hours.
❄️59. Avoid DIY electrical repairs around downed lines.
❄️60. Be patient—restoring power after ice can take sever

01/12/2026

Are you looking for a Volunteer organization that not only benefits you but also our community?
Check out New Milford CERT.

CERT asks its members to attend six meetings/trainings, two refresher classes, and two drills each year to maintain and refine skills.

01/02/2026

The officers and members of the New Milford Community Response Team want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. In 2025 we dedicated 778 man hours providing support to 1st responders, promoting emergency preparedness to community residents, and continuing to train in all aspects of our mission.

We wish to thank the Mayor and Town Council for their continued support of the team and our Emergency Management Director for his guidance.

We trained and add 6 new members to our team, and will again have 2 Basic Classes for new recruits during 2026. Our goal in 2026 is to hone our skills and be ready when called upon. Our monthly meetings/trainings are the 3rd Thursday of each month. Check our website for further information.