Assessing Climate-Related. Emergency Response in Barnstable County

Assessing ClimateRelated Emergency Response in Barnstable County Kasheka Chitkara // UPP 501

The Place ● Barnstable County consists of the land on the Cape Cod peninsula on the Southeastern coast of Massachusetts ● Each town has its own distinct governing bodies that work alongside the Barnstable County Regional Government ● Population consists of 230,000 year-round residents with an influx of approximately 4 million tourists every year ● Tourism equates to over $750 million and 6,600 jobs for the local economy ● Over ⅓ of year-round residents are over the age of 65

Framework: The Why ● As climate change worsens, weather systems across the world are becoming more dangerous and harder to predict ● Cape Cod is specifically susceptible to this due to its unique ecosystem ● It is vital to assess the emergency preparedness of this region to protect residents, visitors, the Cape’s environment, and the economic benefit the region provides

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Framework

Infrastructure: 5/10

Assessment

● Bridges, built in 1935, are “structurally deficient” and only expected to worsen ● Maintenance is costly and can be a hazard in the case of an emergency ● Cape Cod Bridges Program has developed a plan to create a new bridge and retire the others, but has struggled with securing funding

Assessment Policy: 7/10

● Resources exist but are limited depending on topic, town and region ● County government and local planning agency has worked in advocacy for preventive solutions

Financials: 6/10 ● No specific funds are allocated towards emergency response on the municipal level ● Local agencies aim to bridge this gap, including nonprofits ○ Barnstable County saw a 25% increase in this area from previous years ● State level ○ MEMA ○ State grants

Recommendations and Conclusion ● Barnstable County must join their efforts alongside Cape Cod towns to advocate for bridge replacements ○ Adequate preparedness for emergencies in the event the bridges are not accessible ● Governments should also establish one, cohesive and central location for all emergency preparedness resources for the region ○ Should leverage interactive communication methods such as maps and social media ● Audit current resources to ensure all inclement topics are covered ○ Including all weather types and peak-season guidelines ● Administrative boundaries of Cape Cod, though useful for a