After two years of disastrous flooding, the people of Barre decided to step up their disaster response game. They wanted to be more involved in recovery efforts, so they took part in a training and simulation session to figure out how they could best contribute in the future. Barre Up, a group dedicated to long-term recovery in the city, organized the event called “Facing the Water” at the Aldrich Public Library on May 10. The organization, born out of the 2023 flood chaos, aimed to share its knowledge of community response in times of crisis with the public.
The training event, which was a hit with the locals, focused on community skill-sharing and volunteer training. Participants were asked to discover their “flood response superpower” by thinking about their role in a heist movie like ‘Charlie’s Angels’ or ‘Ocean’s Eleven.’ Pam Wilson, one of the founders of Barre Up, emphasized the importance of residents being the glue that connects disaster-response professionals, social service workers, and those in need of assistance. She described residents as the “connective tissue” in times of crisis, filling in the gaps where help is needed.
The session featured speakers like Shawna Trader, Kristin Baumann, and Hazel Turrone, who shared their expertise on disaster response and recovery. Wilson explained the hierarchy of decision-making in a disaster situation, stressing the need for coordination with first responders and local officials. The event also included a roleplaying activity called “Barre’d Alive,” where participants took on different roles like residents, volunteers, and coordinators to simulate a real-life response scenario. The simulation aimed to give everyone a taste of what it’s like to be on both sides of the relief effort — offering help and receiving it.
As the event wrapped up, attendees reflected on their experience and discussed key takeaways. They talked about the importance of respecting privacy, providing non-judgmental assistance, and approaching aid as a mutual exchange rather than charity. Wilson highlighted the significance of solidarity over charity, emphasizing the need to treat those in need as partners in recovery efforts. The session ended with a reminder of the ongoing work of Barre Up, offering volunteer opportunities and support for those affected by the floods. The event was made possible by the collaboration of Barre Up, the Aldrich Library, and the Vermont Council on Rural Development.
