Age-Friendly Communities of the Lower Kennebec (AFCLK)

This project conducted six listening sessions across the Age-Friendly Communities of the Lower Kennebec region to better understand disaster preparedness needs among residents age 50 and over.

 

A total of 79 older adults participated in sessions held in accessible local settings, including town halls, a community center, a church, and Bath Housing. Participants shared personal experiences with disasters, reviewed a sample emergency kit, and discussed priorities for community-based preparedness planning.

​

The sessions revealed significant concern about emergency readiness. Many participants reported not having a plan and expressed uncertainty about evacuation routes, warming and cooling centers, shelters, communication systems, and access to power and phone service. Fear and lack of clear information were common themes. Participants emphasized the importance of timely communication, including enrollment in the Sagadahoc County RAVE Mass Notification System, which gained 36 new registrants as a result of the sessions. They also highlighted the value of neighbors checking on neighbors and developing coordinated local plans.

​

The project strengthened partnerships, including active participation from the Sagadahoc County Emergency Management Agency Director, and informed municipal efforts such as the City of Bath Climate Action Plan. Co-chairs were invited to join the Resilient Bath Equity Council.

​

Additional funding supported the creation of 150 emergency preparedness bags. Project leaders are meeting with each community to plan distribution and outline next steps for developing community emergency plans. Under the leadership of Sagadahoc Emergency Management Agency (SCEMA), this initiative will also support the development of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) in each town. CERTeams are volunteer groups that provide basic disaster response until professional responders arrive. The volunteers acquire specific skills, such as first aid, light search and rescue, and fire safety. Collaboration will continue to build local teams that strengthen preparedness and resilience.