Oxford County Emergency Director Scott Parker, right, congratulates Thomas Standard as he presents him with an emergency management jacket for his work with emergency management in three towns. Oxford County Commissioner Dave Duguay looks on.

EM director honored for service to towns

SUMNER – Oxford County Emergency Director Scott Parker honored Thomas Standard for his work as emergency management director for the towns of Buckfield, Hartford and Sumner on July 8 at the selectmen’s meeting, presenting him an emergency management jacket.

Parker said he met Standard in the spring of 2006 and started discussing the possibility that he head a three-town emergency operation. Parker said Standard quickly took up the reins and soon led a model program of regionalization for other towns to adopt.

Parker said Standard completed the first 40 hours of a 114-hour program in the first year and is well into the second part of the courses. Standard has also completed the highest level of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s training for first responders.

Parker has organized a 12-member team of first responders to help with small towns in counties that border Oxford County. The team will assist any area that needs help when a disaster strikes. Standard is part of the team as public information officer.

Parker said that Standard was instrumental in organizing the community emergency team headed by Clay Schneider and George Jones.

The three-town team recently completed an exercise demonstrating their ability to operate the Buckfield High School as an emergency shelter. The team will participate in a three-county exercise in the fall.

Oxford County Commissioner Dave Duguay attended the presentation and Parker’s work in organizing the emergency management program. He also congratulated the town for its proactive stance on emergency management.

Parker closed by saying that Standard had been a catalyst for immense change in the communities and “He serves from the heart.”