BROOKLINE — Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director John Sullivan is pleased to announce that Cheryl Anne Snyder is the Town of Brookline’s new Emergency Management Coordinator.
In her new role, Snyder will coordinate all emergency management planning and activities for the departments that make up the Brookline Emergency Management Team. These departments include Fire, Police, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Public Health, Public Works, Buildings, Schools and Recreation.
The Brookline Emergency Management Team helps coordinate local, state, federal, voluntary, and private resources during emergencies and disasters affecting the Town of Brookline. This is done by developing and maintaining response plans for all types of hazards, disasters and threats; training emergency personnel to protect the public; providing information for businesses and residents before, during and after emergencies; and assisting individuals, families and businesses prepare for, respond to and recover from any type of emergency.
“I am thrilled to be part of the Brookline Emergency Management Team and to play a direct role in the incredible work they do assisting all community members during emergency situations or natural disasters,” Snyder said. “This pandemic has shown us now more than ever the importance of having a plan in place, and how to best support residents and businesses when these incidents occur.”
Snyder started in the role, which is a new, full-time position for the town, on Aug. 3. Prior to that, she worked for the Brookline Public Health Department as the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator from July 2015 to July 2020, and the Emergency Preparedness Buddies Coordinator from May 2014 to June 2015.
“This position was something we identified as a need for prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and we believe Cheryl will be an excellent member of the Emergency Management Team,” Chief Sullivan said. “She played a pivotal role in the town’s COVID-19 response, and she’ll be vital in supporting the town’s emergency planning and response and comes into the role with a great understanding of the needs of our community. During uncertain times, having another person to turn to and help identify resources brings peace of mind and stability back to those affected.”
All residents and businesses are invited to register for the CodeRED notification system to receive updates about emergencies and other news as well. CodeRED notifications is available in five languages.
Sign-up is available either online or on a mobile device, allowing users to receive notifications about items like missing children or persons, criminal activity, fires, public health notices, utility outages, traffic conditions, various threats to people or the environment, and other incidents as deemed necessary by town public safety officials.
The alerts are sent to residents via phone call, text message, email and social media.
Additionally, residents and businesses also have the opportunity to opt in or out of non-emergency notifications. Non-emergency notifications will include other significant information such as COVID-19, election information as well as parking and transportation updates
The CodeRed notification system replaces the town’s previously existing Blackboard notification system. Anyone who has previously had an account on Blackboard should create a new account on CodeRed.
For more information on how to enroll online or on a mobile device, as well as how to create an account, visit the Town of Brookline specific CodeRED webpage here.
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