Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
The Autauga Emergency Management Agency, or EMA, held their first LEPC, Local Emergency Planning Committee, meeting since David Bagley has taken over as director of Autauga County EMA.
The LEPC is a committee that encompasses many department heads such as law enforcement, fire and more, which then write, review, and provide information and an emergency plan about chemicals and the accidental release of hazardous material within the community.
“I’m tickled to death with the rebuilding of this committee, it’s an important thing. Public participation is also going to be imperative for us in getting the plans approved so we’re going to need their help and the communities help with that,” Bagley said regarding upcoming public surveys that will be conducted.
The public surveys will provide crucial information to the various entities that respond in emergencies. This lets them know what the public deems as a threat to their community.
“Essentially what we look at, is we take those surveys and use that information and information from the law enforcement, fire, etc. and put together the identified threats that we have here in the county and what the assessment of that risk is,” Bagley said.
These are public meetings, the committee is generally composed of state and local officials, law enforcement, civil defense, transportation, broadcast and print media, hospitals, fire fighters, local environmental agencies, community groups and facility owners and operators, as part of the committee.
Bagley stated that these organizations, elected officials and more play an important role in every aspect of developing the local emergency plan and it’s these agencies that would generate a response in a hazardous material emergency.
“It has our capabilities, it has our gaps. If we’re going to do this the right way, we’re going to have to be honest about our gaps (in the plans), and where do we have to ask for help?” Bagley said.
The LEPC uses the correct protocols and puts together a response plan, which is typically reviewed annually, and provides information regarding chemicals in the community to citizens. The LEPC is also the primary entity that ensures the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, EPCRA, are met locally.
The Committee was presented the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments, the Emergency Operations Plan and the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Members of the committee will then review and bring the specific and niche elements of their field of work to ensure there is the least amount of gaps within each plan as possible to ensure public safety.
The next scheduled LEPC meeting is set for October 24th at the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce at 9 a.m.
