WESTFIELD-By noon on Thursday, the majority of fire victims from Sunday’s Powdermill Village Apartments blaze had already met with representatives from state and local agencies in the community room – helping to ensure a smooth transition for those displaced.
“It will be a little bit of a long road for many,” said Jim Wiggs, director, Westfield Emergency Management Agency. “Since the fire we have been reaching out to landlords to find affordable housing.”
Kurt N. Schwartz, director of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, discusses the status of fire victims from Sunday’s blaze at the Powdermill Village Apartments with Jim Wiggs, director of the Westfield Emergency Management Agency. An informational session with a host of local and state agencies was conducted Thursday for those impacted by the fire.
Wiggs also commended Peabody Properties, Inc., owners of the complex, for their quick response in providing assistance to residents and coordinating resources for the families.
“Peabody Properties has gone above and beyond for the tenants,” said Wiggs.
While most fire victims are currently residing in motels or staying with family and friends, Wiggs is confident that apartment space should open up soon in the city.
“Within the next month the college students will start leaving so we expect apartment openings should become available,” said Wiggs.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) coordinated Thursday’s informational session for fire victims by bringing together a host of state and local agencies in one location to assist city residents.
“It is a real team effort,” said Christopher Besse, MEMA spokesperson, adding that Peabody Properties has also “done a great job” for the fire victims.
Kurt N. Schwartz, MEMA director, echoed those sentiments.
“Our job is to ensure our agency is providing all the support that the city has asked for,” said Schwartz, noting the importance of linking state agencies with city representatives.
Wiggs added that his office made an informal request to MEMA on Sunday night once the blaze was extinguished, and then a formal request was submitted Monday.
“MEMA has been phenomenal in helping us,” said Wiggs.
Representatives from state agencies in the community room included the Department of Elder Affairs, Department of Transitional Assistance, Department of Children and Families, Department of Public Health, Office of Refugee and Immigration, and the Department of Mental Health/Crisis Counseling.
Agencies and city departments also participating in the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. session included the Salvation Army, Westfield Housing Authority, Westfield Health Department, Westfield Fire Department, Westfield Police Department and the American Red Cross.
Don Cawrse, a volunteer in the disaster services division of the Western Massachusetts American Red Cross, said the Red Cross was immediately on-site on Sunday to provide food and clothing to the fire victims.
“Red Cross workers are one of the first organizations at a disaster and we first focus on the first 24 to 48 hours for victims,” said Cawrse, adding that housing arrangements, food and clothing are always a top priority when addressing needs of victims.
“We help families who are beginning the road to recovery,” said Cawrse. “After the initial 48 hours our case managers will then meet daily with persons if necessary to ensure that immediate needs are addressed.”
Cawrse noted that the American Red Cross helps individuals to “move forward” with a recovery plan.
“We stay as long as needed, generally two to four weeks,” said Cawrse.
Emily Mew, Western Massachusetts field representative for the Salvation Army, Massachusetts Division, shared those sentiments.
“We have provided vouchers for clothing and food today to families who have visited our table,” said Mew, adding that donations made to the holiday kettle drives help to support families throughout the year in situations like the Powdermill Village Apartment fire.
The Salvation Army’s Springfield Canteen also provided hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, cookies and beverages for the families, volunteers and representatives who participated in the informational session.
For area residents who wish to make cash donations to assist the families impacted by the fire, officials recommend making donations to the local Salvation Army office with a notation for the Powdermill Village Apartments fire victims. For more details, contact Laurie Matthews, volunteer service unit coordinator for Westfield, at (413) 977-8759, or send an email to Matthews at [email protected].
