PHOTO BY SWIFTCURRENT VIA VIMEO
Under the Baker-Polito Administration, Swampscott achieved MVP Program designation based on work already completed within its community
By ITEM STAFF
SWAMPSCOTT — Swampscott has been designated a municipal vulnerability preparedness community by the Baker-Polito Administration.
Only five municipalities received the designation, which was announced last month, when more than $1 million in grant funding and designation status was awarded to 71 cities and towns across the state through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program.
The new grant and designation program provides communities with technical support, climate change data and planning tools to identify hazards and develop strategies to improve resilience, according to a press release from the administration.
Sixty-six communities received funding to complete the planning process, and upon successful completion of the program, will achieve designation status by June 2018.
Swampscott achieved MVP Program designation based on work already completed within its community. Boston, Cambridge, Salem and Somerville were also awarded the status for the same reason.
“It reflects Swampscott’s really extraordinary preparedness,” said Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald. “We have a number of really busy and active committees. The Board of Selectmen has recognized that really looking at emergency preparedness is a priority.”
Fitzgerald said the designation can help Swampscott with grant opportunities, which is true for any time a community meets a standard.
Last September, Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order — Establishing an Integrated Climate Change Strategy for the Commonwealth — which lays out an approach to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard residents, municipalities and businesses from the impacts of climate change, and build a more resilient Commonwealth, according to the release.
A key commitment in the executive order, which the MVP Program builds upon, is coordinating assistance to cities and towns as they prepare for the impacts of climate change, according to the release.
“Massachusetts is committed to combatting and preparing for the impacts of climate change, and our Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program is designed to ensure our communities can work together on building resilience with the best planning tools, data and resources from the state,” Baker said in a statement. “We are proud that so many of our cities and towns are involved and using their local knowledge and community strengths to partner with the Commonwealth.”
