(MONTPELIER) – Lt. Governor Brian Dubie today said he will lead a review of the state’s preparedness plans for addressing emergency circumstances that may arise as a result of the price of home heating fuel this winter and will work with human service providers to ensure the continued delivery of home-based services to elderly Vermonters.

Dubie, who chairs the Governor’s Homeland Security Advisory Council and the Governor’s Commission on Healthy Aging, said his work would be part of a wide-ranging effort Governor Jim Douglas is expected to announce tomorrow. Dubie is also an emergency preparedness officer in the Air Force Reserve.

“Governor Douglas and I agree that no Vermonter should freeze in their homes because they run out of, or cannot afford, home heating fuel,” Dubie continued. “Vermont is pulling together now to prepare for the impact of even higher home heating fuel, especially for our elderly and lowest income Vermonters.”

Following consultation with Governor Douglas, Dubie will lead a review of Vermont Department of Emergency Managements existing “all hazards” emergency plans to be sure the state is prepared to respond to a broad range of potential crises involving heating fuel.

Dubie, who was joined by Ken Gordon, Director of the Northeast Vermont Area Agency on Aging, also said he would work with officials in the Agency of Human Services to ensure the continued delivery of home-based services to frail elders. Food costs, he said, “are going through the roof, and our meal programs are feeling the pinch on this end of their operations as well.”

Dubie said he would also spearhead a public education campaign that warns of the dangers of faulty installation and operation of home heating appliances and informs Vermonters how to arrange for free safety inspections.

“Planning is beginning now at the state-wide level,” Dubie said. “Preparing for the worst and taking proactive steps to protect our most vulnerable neighbors has always helped Vermonters through times of crisis like this one.”

“The solution will be a product of families, local communities, non-profit and faith-based groups, and state and federal governments all working together,” Dubie said. “Our work in these areas, coupled with the plan Governor Douglas will outline tomorrow, will ensure that we protect the most vulnerable, address this challenge head on and succeed.”

Dubie went on to note the importance of diversifying energy resources. “We must find new ways to heat our homes and power our cars that don't depend oil,” he said. “Our state cannot alone solve the nation’s fuel crisis, but we need to ensure that elderly and low income Vermonters don't have to sleep in a freezing home, or be subjected to dangerous heating appliances or unsafe wood stoves. We can do this at a very low cost”

And he recognized Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders, and Representative Peter Welch for their work to advance federal solutions to the high price of oil.

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