Braintree Town Hall -1 John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive -Braintree , MA 02184 -Telephone 781.794.8000

B.E.M.A.
Robert F. James Director
781-794-8188
Monday through Friday
(9:00am to 5:00pm)
Office Hours : 781-848-0566

BEMA is governed by Declarations of Emergencies on Federal, State and Local Levels resulting from a Policy Statement dating back to the Acts of 1950. Braintree has a comprehensive Emergency Management Plan that is approved by the State. This plan addresses all that may impact our town from man-made or natural disasters.

When alerted that an event is taking place, BEMA would notify the Chief Executive of the Town of Braintree, the Public Works Director, the Police and Fire Departments, and the Red Cross and any other agencies needed to respond to these listed events when required.

Conflagration (large fire or act of war) and Forest Fires, Dam Failures, Earthquake / Urban Search & Rescue, Flooding Coastal / Interior, Hazmat situations, Hurricanes, Nuclear Power Plant accidents, [we are the coordinators of Braintree for the Response and Public Awareness for the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in Plymouth], Search & Rescue of individuals or groups, Terrorist Attacks and/or Civil Disorder – Weapons related, Tornadoes / Twisters, Transportation Accidents, and any/all Summer or Winter Storms that may impact our town or region.

Braintree has a Public Information Officer. Our Town Clerk serves in that capacity when called to act.

Meanwhile, our Mission is quite multi-faceted. Our group of volunteers is prepared to offer the following: Cots, Blankets, Pillows and related equipment for Shelters, Sand Bags, Traffic Cones, Emergency Power Generators, Power Cords, Radio Communications Equipment and other related items for transporting these services to on-site locations. Such as a converted Ambulance Truck that serves as a” Mobile Command Post” when needed, a four-wheel drive Explorer truck, two utility trailers and a “Radio Transport Unit Trailer”. [ All of this construction was done with free labor, donated material and some expense from this group of B.E.M.A. members.]

We currently sponsor and pay for a NEXTEL phone system that serves as additional safety communications for Police, Fire, Health, Highway, School, DPW Director and our BEMA members, paid for through a private Grant system.

This agency works in concert with all departments when needed. We encourage all concerned citizens to update themselves through the Television, both commercial and Local Community-based, National and Local Radio and News Media to stay informed of the status in this area each day as conditions may change.

In addition, in times of dire emergencies, the Police and Fire Departments and most Municipal vehicles will alert our citizens with their respective Public Address systems to inform us of any action to follow to protect ourselves from harm.

We have four Red Cross certified shelters in Braintree and, in addition, would use the Union Street Armory, if needed. These would be used for any event that may impact the life and safety of our citizens in a declared emergency.

Terrorist Attacks, Civil Disorders and Weapons Related incidents are under the control of the Massachusetts State Police who will work closely with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to coordinate support requirements as necessary. Massachusetts has instituted a new concept of emergency response called SATURN which represents the Red, White and Blue Team [Fire – Emergency Management – Police]. This is an information tool that alerts all Police Departments of any Terrorist event that may impact our town. They will inform this agency (BEMA) and we will alert our Selectmen immediately by any and all means possible.

This agency encourages and invites all citizens to visit our BEMA office any time during business hours each day and to attend our Wednesday evening meetings held in our office or at the Annex at 38 Safford Street – Sunset Lake Beach. Please call 781-794-8188. This location is where our Mobile Equipment is stored and maintained.

Our group participates in the Fire Safety Day, Community Events, Christmas Stroll, Radio Field Day exercises, the annual July Fourth celebration, and wherever invited.

We furnish Health and Safety Radio communications, Lighting Equipment, including Emergency Generators and Power Cord units at these functions as well as during any declared emergency. This is in addition to our Resource File System that would contact the respective agencies as well as advise our Selectmen on the status of the situation presented.

Hopefully, our Town of Braintree and our sister communities are in a better, more comfortable and safe environment as we perform our mission.

Emergency Shelter Locations:

Braintree High School
128 Town Street Capacity 697

Massachusetts National Guard Armory
275 Union Street
Braintree (781) 843-3215 (Used only if necessary)
Capacity :: Not Available

Town Hall
1 JFK Memorial Drive
Capacity 81

South Middle School
32 Peach Street
Capacity 129

East Middle School
305 River Street
Capacity 232


Critical Service Lists are additionally maintained by :

1. Braintree Department of Public Works. (DPW)

The Braintree Department of Public Works maintains a list of Residences that belong to public safety personnel, and residents that may need medical treatment. During snow storms, these streets will receive priority services based on the DPW’s capabilities

If you are a Physician, Nurse, Police Officer or Firefighter, or if you have a medical condition that may require frequent medical checkups, please contact the Braintree Department of Public Works at (781) 794-8298

2. Braintree Electric Light Department (BELD)

The Braintree Electric Light Department has a separate critical services list. This list is for individuals that require electrical power to maintain life support equipment, such as oxygen nebulizers or cardiac monitors.

Contact BELD at (781) 848-2353 for additional information.

The Critical Services Lists are provided to the Braintree Fire Department and the Braintree Emergency Management Agency. All of the agencies in town that get this information keep it in the strictest of confidence and take great care to maintain your privacy and confidentiality.

Made possible by a gran from the Southeast Region of Massachsetts Homeland Security that BEMA is in custody of 4 Lighting Towers, a 25k and 11k Generators and a 800MHz Radio System.

BEMA RADIO -

You can listen to the radio communications of the Town of Braintree on your home scanner.

The following are the most active channels

Fire : 483.5125 MHz

Police: 471.5375 MHz

BEMA: 482.4500 MHz

Department of Public Works: 158.8800 MHz


In addition, Braintree EMA uses amateur radio for much of its communications during emergencies: The following are very active during severe storms and other emergencies:

Braintree: 442.5000 MHz
(Braintree EMA RACES primary)
Weymouth: 147.3000 MHz
(Braintree EMA RACES Alternate)
Sharon: 146.8650 MHz
(Region 2D State Coordination)
Boston: 145.2300 MHz
(Boston Emergency Response Team)
Waltham: 146.6400 MHz
(State, SKYWARN Coordination)
Norwell: 53.330 HZz. 6 meters.

Town Departments - Town Resources - Resident Information - Town Forms - News & Information - Calendar - Town History - Site Map - Home