Dukes County Emergency Management Association 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 prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters within Dukes County ​(Martha's Vineyard Island and Cuttyhunk Island).

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LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Dukes County Emergency Management Association recognizes and honors the many generations of Wôpanâak people who have lived and continue to be sustained in this territory for more than 10,000 years. 

We acknowledge Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of the land, and the enduring relationship that exists between them and their traditional territories. The land on which we sit is the traditional territory of the Wampanoag Nation. 

We acknowledge the painful history of genocide and forced occupation of their territory, and we honor and respect the many diverse Indigenous People connected to this land on which we gather.

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EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS

Aquinnah​

• Emergency Management Director: Forrest Filler
• Deputy Emergency Management Director: Fire Chief Simon Bollin

Chilmark

• Emergency Management Director: Deputy Fire Chief/Town Administrator Timothy Carroll
• Deputy Emergency Management Director: Marina Lent

Edgartown

• Emergency Management Director: Fire Chief Alex Schaeffer

Dukes County

• Emergency Management Director: County Manager Martina Thornton

Gosnold

• Emergency Management Director: Fire Chief Seth Garfield

Oak Bluffs

• Emergency Management Director: Fire-EMS Chief Nelson Wirtz

Tisbury

• Emergency Management Director: Fire Chief Greg Leland
• Deputy Emergency Management Director: Deputy Fire Chief Patrick Rolston

West Tisbury

• Emergency Management Director: Russell Hartenstine
• Deputy Emergency Management Director: Jennelle Gadowski

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COMMUNITY PARTNERS

 American Red Cross 

The American Red Cross has had a presence on the island since post World War I. The American Red Cross provides shelter, food, health and mental health services to help families and entire communities get back on their feet. Although the Red Cross is not a government agency, it is an essential part of the response when disaster strikes. On the Vineyard the Red Cross works in partnership with The Salvation Army, The Emergency Management agencies of the County, The Towns, and the Tribe and other agencies and organizations that provide services to disaster victims.

The Salvation Army 

The Salvation Army has an active presence on Martha’s Vineyard and is a leader in training volunteers, including introductory skills and ServSafe certification for island response and advanced training for deployment beyond the local area. The Salvation Army provides food and hydration services for emergency disasters as well as emotional and spiritual care and long-term recovery assistance. A variety of Salvation Army services are available to survivors until life returns to normal after a disaster.

Martha's Vineyard
Medical Reserve Corps

The Medical Reserve Corps (MVMRC) trains and credentials medical and non-medical volunteers to support public health, emergency response and build community resiliency. The MVMRC is governed by a Board of Directors with representatives from all of the Boards of Health, Visiting Nurse Association, Dukes County Emergency Management, MV Island Towns Emergency Managers and Boards of Selectmen, Wampanoag Tribe and Martha’s Vineyard Community Hospital. The Board meets monthly. On the Island the MVMRC works alongside MV American Red Cross and the MV Salvation Army when required to do so. Make all requests for assistance through the Coordinator of the MVMRC and/or Director of the MVMRC. ​

Martha's Vineyard Disaster Animal Response Team

Martha’s Vineyard Disaster Animal Response Team, (MVDART), is an affiliate of the State of Massachusetts Animal Response Team (SMART). After Hurricane Katrina a state law passed which requires towns to have a plan in place to address the evacuation and sheltering needs of household pets and services animals before, during and after an emergency or natural disaster. Volunteers on Martha’s Vineyard have been working to develop a “Martha’s Vineyard Disaster Animal Response Team (MVDART). The organizers of MVDART include Assistant EMDs, a Health Agent, an Animal Control Officer, a veterinarian, an experienced Red Cross volunteer.