Case Study: How County EMA & CERT Teams Use Flex-Safe® Barricades

Case Study: Deputy Director Mark Ellsworth, Penobscot County, Maine

Flex-Safe gave our EMA and CERT teams the ability to secure scenes faster, keep the public back, and communicate control in a way cones and tape just can’t. It’s now a standard part of our deployment kits.”

— Mark Ellsworth

Deputy Director, Penobscot County EMA (Maine)

Managing Emergencies Requires Tools You Can Trust

As the Deputy Director of the Penobscot County Emergency Management Agency, Mark Ellsworth oversees preparedness, response, and coordination for communities spread across rural towns, coastal areas, and busy regional hubs. His role includes training Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), coordinating with first responders, and ensuring that local agencies have reliable equipment during critical incidents.

For Mark, emergency scenes rarely look the same twice. They might unfold on an icy roadside, in a crowded public space, at a community event, or in a neighborhood with limited access. But one requirement never changes:

A Real-World Problem: Uncontrolled Public Access at Incident Scenes

For years, Mark’s teams relied on traffic cones, caution tape, and plastic barricades to block off hazardous zones. But Maine’s unpredictable weather — heavy winds, snow, coastal storms — made these tools unreliable. Tape would sag or tear. Cones were easily moved by bystanders. And CERT volunteers struggled to carry bulky wooden barricades when staging was far from the emergency zone.

During a severe summer storm last year, Mark saw the tipping point. A flash flood washed out part of a rural road near a campground. CERT volunteers attempted to close off the area, but cones and tape failed to hold due to strong winds.

Multiple vehicles drove past the improvised barrier, nearly entering the washed-out section.

Mark knew his team needed a safer, faster, and more visible solution.

Discovering Flex-Safe® During a Regional Exercise

While attending a regional emergency preparedness workshop, Mark was introduced to the Flex-Safe Folding Barricade. He immediately noticed what made it different:

Bright, high-visibility panels that stand out even in low light
Rapid deployment — one responder can set it up in seconds
Durable, weather-resistant construction suitable for Maine conditions
Compact folding design, making it easy to store in CERT trailers and EMA vehicles
Continuous physical barrier, unlike scattered cones or tape

After testing a unit, Mark ordered a batch for both his EMA team and several CERT groups across the county.

Field Deployment: Results That Made an Impact

Within weeks, Flex-Safe was put to the test during three major incidents and events:

1. Flood Response in Milford

CERT volunteers were able to secure a washed-out road section in under a minute.
The Flex-Safe barrier remained upright and visible through heavy rain and wind — eliminating the bypass problem entirely.

2. Structure Fire Perimeter Control

Fire crews used the barricades to keep bystanders back and establish a clear perimeter for hose lines and apparatus.
The bright panels improved visibility for incoming mutual-aid units.

3. County Fair Emergency Lane

During the annual fair, EMA used Flex-Safe to maintain a protected emergency access route through crowded foot-traffic areas.
Volunteers reported smoother crowd management and fewer encroachments.

Why Flex-Safe Works for EMA & CERT

EMA and CERT teams operate in high-pressure, resource-limited environments, and Flex-Safe aligns with their core needs:

Control the scene quickly
Prevent public access to hazards
Communicate authority and organization
Deploy barriers with minimal personnel
Adapt to unpredictable conditions

Flex-Safe helps emergency teams restore order, reduce risk, and protect responders and civilians — all while projecting professionalism and competence.

Building Community Trust Through Better Tools

Mark knows that public confidence in emergency management depends on clear communication and visible control. When the public sees a strong, structured barrier, they take the situation seriously and respond appropriately.

Flex-Safe’s clean, high-visibility appearance reinforces that the scene is being actively managed by trained professionals.

Today, Mark recommends Flex-Safe to neighboring counties, local fire departments, and CERT coordinators statewide.