FIRE BAN IN EFFECT In response to the continued elevated risk of wildfires, DEM has issued a fire ban at all State Parks, campgrounds, and management areas until further notice. The ban is effective as of today (10/28/24) and includes campfires in designated campfire areas, including charcoal fires and cooking fires. This preventative measure applies to all DEM-managed lands and aims to reduce the threat of human-caused wildfires. DEM will continue to monitor and evaluate conditions to determine when the ban can be lifted. Together we can protect our communities and keep first responders safe by reducing the risk of wildfires: 📞 Call 911 if you spot a fire/smoke. Timely information is critical to contain fires before they spread. 🔥 Remember, any outdoor fire is a potential source for a wildfire. Be careful with cigarettes and ashes. When disposing of wood stove ashes, put the ashes in a metal bucket of water. 🚒 Check with your local fire department for any other restrictions and permitting information. 🚨 Stay informed and find resources at dem.ri.gov/wildfirestatus.
Emergency Response Plan (ERP) The Emergency Response Plan (ERP) is a supporting document intended to facilitate RIDEM’s environmental response in a safe, timely and effective manner to best protect the state’s environmental and public health. It promotes coordination between federal, state, municipal, public, and private response organizations in the event of a multi-agency incident response. The ERP can be used for incidents varying in size, location, and severity, including cross-border scenarios and incidents that pose an imminent danger to public health, safety, or welfare. Making up the ERP are the 10 sections and 3 appendices listed below: Introduction to DEM Priorities and Authority Emergency Response Notifications Checklist of Emergency Response Issues Policies, Standard Procedures, and Forms for DEM Office of Emergency Response Guidelines for Environmental Sampling, Cleanup and Criminal Investigation Departmental Support, Including Incident Command Structures and Response Plans Policies, Plans and Forms for Health and Safety Job Aids for Key Positions in Incident Command System (ICS) Plan Templates for Oil Spill Response Forms for Incident Command Appendix 1 – Oil Spill Field Operating Guide Appendix 2 – RI Oil Spill Science Plan for Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Appendix 3 – Glossary of Abbreviations and Definitions Each section of the ERP may be accessed on its own webpage listed above, or the entire ERP may be viewed. The most recently updated ERP can be found below: Emergency Response Plan PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes Contact information included in the ERP is constantly changing over time, and the most up-to-date contacts might not be available in the most recent ERP. For current DEM contact information, please visit the DEM Staff List page.