Issues state of emergency declaration for mutual aid process as MBTA announces suspension of services
BOSTON – This evening at the Massachusetts State House, Governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency, effective immediately, for the Commonwealth to pursue mutual aid initiatives with other states. He also announced state office closures for non-emergency personnel who live or work in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk or Suffolk counties.
The declaration was issued in the midst of the third significant snow storm that has impacted the Commonwealth in the last two weeks, with today’s storm dropping up to two feet of snow in parts of Massachusetts. The state of emergency has been ordered to expedite the use of resources to assist local municipalities and to request and deploy federal and interstate resources as cleanup efforts continue.
“Three storms in two weeks have dropped historic amounts of snow on the Commonwealth, complicating cleanup and snow removal efforts, despite round the clock shifts,” said Governor Baker. “A state of emergency was declared tonight only to allow emergency officials to begin enacting the mutual aid process with our neighboring states and the private sector to secure much needed heavy equipment for snow removal. In addition, non-emergency state employees who either live or work in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk or Suffolk counties should not report to work tomorrow to make way for cleanup efforts in the greater Boston area.”
Partial State Office Closure
Tuesday, February 10th, 2015: Non-emergency state employees who either live or work in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk or Suffolk counties should not report to work tomorrow.
State of Emergency
Effective Immediately: Governor Baker has signed a Declaration of Emergency for Massachusetts ensuring state resources are available and coordinated for storm preparation and to enable swift response among the state, cities and towns. The state of emergency declaration will allow expedited use of state resources, the ability to request and receive mutual aid assistance from other states or the federal government if needed, the immediate procurement and deployment of goods and services necessary for response and other actions as considered necessary by the Governor. The state of emergency shall remain in effect until notice is given in the Governor’s judgment that it is no longer necessary.
MBTA Closure
Tuesday, February 10th, 2015: The MBTA has announced all subway, trolley and commuter rail services will be suspended to allow maintenance crews to clear snow and ice from tracks, the third rail and switches. Bus services will be available on an extremely limited basis and customers will not be able to make transfers at customary intermodal points due to suspended rail services.
