VOICES Community Preparedness Training

Using social work practices, she developed a wide array of innovative programs that provide continuity of care and promote resilience in the lives of those impacted. VOICES has served tens-of-thousands of victims’ families, survivors, responders, and families of those who have died of 9/11-related illnesses.

Ms. Fetchet is equally committed to leveraging VOICES over two decades of expertise to assist communities in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from other tragedies. Working collaboratively with public-private partnerships in the United States and abroad, she shares lessons learned, provides training and conducts research. More recently she is creating VOICES Community Preparedness Training, A Victim-Centered Approach to Prepare for, Respond to, and Recover from Tragedy, a two-day training for community stakeholders that will be launched in September, 2023.

A strong advocate for victims’ rights and mental health care for victims’ families, responders and survivors, Ms. Fetchet provides a unique perspective on the long-term needs of those impacted by tragedy. As an advocate for public policy reforms to make the country safer, she was instrumental in advocating for the establishment of the 9/11 Commission which led to sweeping government intelligence reforms and testified on five occasions before the United States Congress and the 9/11 Commission. Ms. Fetchet has served on dozens of advisory boards including the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, INVICTM, the Family Steering Committee for the Establishment of the 9/11 Commission, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Ms. Fetchet is a co-author of several publications based on research findings from, “Investigating the Long-term Impact of Bereavement due to Terrorism.” As a pioneer in preparing communities, she led the creation of Preparing for After: How to Help Victims of Mass Violence and VOICES of Experience: Helping Communities Heal After Traumatic Events.

A 1994 graduate of Columbia University School of Social Work (CUSSW), Ms. Fetchet has received numerous awards for her work, including the induction into the Hall of Fame at Columbia University School of Social Work, ABC News Person of the Year, and NBC News Making a Difference.

The Administrative Officer assists the First Selectman with these duties and provides administrative assistance to the other two Selectmen and all Boards and Commissions as may be required. The Administrative Officer also acts as Secretary to the Board of Selectmen and is responsible for meeting schedules, notices, agendas, minutes, and the publication of meeting actions for the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance and Town Council.

Director Kimes holds numerous national firefighting and incident management certifications, as well as is a certified Emergency Medical Technician. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, serving the country for eight years and deployed to Iraq in 2003. The EMD is responsible for the Town’s Emergency Operations Plan, which includes hazard mitigation, emergency response and recovery plans, as well as participating with local, regional and state emergency planning activities and exercises.

She continues to assist the 9/11 community, helping them enroll for medical and mental health services that are available for those who qualify, including a variety of compensation programs. Additionally, Ms. Landau serves as VOICES representative at external events and forums, coordinating partnerships with nonprofits, various service providers, and community stakeholders. Stephanie co-presents with Voices Founder and Director, Mary Fetchet in providing summary overviews of the “Preparing for After” and other trainings and is helping to develop the revised Voices Center Preparedness Training curriculum, comprised of over 20 hours of training modules for community stakeholders.

Over the past 18 years, Stephanie has provided thousands of hours of case management services to assist 9/11 families, survivors, and responders in accessing resources and support services. As project manager for the 9/11 Living Memorial Project, Stephanie conducted hundreds of workshops in communities throughout the tri-state area and Washington, D.C. Her team met with over 1,600 families to create tributes to their loved ones in the 9/11 Living Memorial Project resulting in over 87,000 photographs that VOICES donated to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

In addition to meeting with victims’ family members, she implemented the program to collect survivor and responder stories and other firsthand accounts and compiled data for over 1,000 memorials. Ms. Landau’s responsibilities also include the management of VOICES high school and college internship programs. She continues to participate in other 9/11-related events such as 9/11 Memorial & Museum Community Nights, special exhibit openings and anniversary services.

Bassett is co-chairperson of the Fairfield County Hazardous Incident Response Team since 2001, ESF-10 Chair of the DEMHS Regional Emergency Planning Team and has been an a current instructor at the State of Connecticut Fire Academy. He earned an associate degree in Applied Science from Norwalk Community College in 2001, a bachelor’s science degree from the University of New Haven in 2008, an MBA from University of New Haven in 2013 and a master’s degree of science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology in 2018.

In early 2024, he became co-executive director of the board with shared leadership responsibilities for the organization. After a 36 year supply chain and logistics career with Colgate-Palmolive, CERT has provided Jim with a very rewarding opportunity to give his time and talents to the Town of New Canaan.

The Chief of Police is responsible to administer, supervise, and direct all police operations and administrative functions to provide effective and efficient police services to the town of New Canaan.

Nick holds several state fire certifications, has been cited for multiple awards based on firefighting and lifesaving events, and was responsible for the professional leadership of a high-volume fire department in Fairfield County, CT.

In addition to his experience in the fire service, Nick was a Local Health Preparedness Coordinator/Planner with the Virginia Department of Health. Nick also owns a consulting firm (All Hazards Preparedness Consulting LLC.) where he writes emergency response plans and conducts public health emergency preparedness and response training. Nick also currently serves as a CRI Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for Region 1 in Connecticut and coordinates public health activities for all 14 local health departments in the region. Nick also holds a certificate from the National Emergency Management Basic Academy through the FEMA Emergency Management Institute.

Sue has been a New Canaan resident since 1997 when she moved here with her husband, Matt, after they graduated from Duke University. She has spent most of her time raising five sons ranging in age from 25 to 10.