GENERAL TERMS

Biomedical Hazard:

An incident or event that affects people’s health with the potential for being fatal.

Evacuation:

Removal of people from a hazardous or potentially hazardous place.

Hazard:

A weather-, technological-, radiological-, or biomedical-related event that is potentially dangerous to people and property (in this context), such as a flood, fire, severe thunderstorm, incident at Vermont Yankee, or train derailment and chemical spill.

Hazardous Materials:

Chemicals, often in everyday use—such as crop fertilizers, refrigerants, gasoline, etc.—which can be hazardous to people and the environment if used improperly or released during an accident.

NOAA Radio:

The National Weather Service has a weather forecast and warning radio system. Radios are distributed by local emergency management directors. A transmitter is located in Marlboro, Vermont.

Radiological Hazard:

An incident or event occurring during the production, use or transportation of radioactive materials.

Shelter-in-Place:

The process of staying where you are and taking shelter, rather than trying to evacuate.

Siren Testing:

The emergency sirens are tested the first Saturday of the month: 8 a.m. in Vernon and noon in Brattleboro. The sounding is for a full three minutes or more—the same as for an emergency alert.

Technological Hazard:

An incident involving hazardous materials, such as chemicals, or an incident at a nuclear power plant.

Vermont Reception Center:

A mass shelter at Bellows Fall Union High School in Westminster for the temporary housing of people in an emergency. Cots, food and first aid are provided in conjunction with the American Red Cross.