Local Emergency Planning Committee meets in Robertsdale

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ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — The Baldwin County Local Emergency Planning Committee held its last quarterly meeting of 2019 on Monday, Dec. 16 at the Baldwin County Central Annex in Robertsdale.

During the meeting, Committee members approved a proposal by Zach Hood, director of the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency, to move two LEPC trailers to EMA headquarters in Robertsdale.

Hood said there are two trailers, one located in Bay Minette and one located in the southern part of the county.

“We have these resources available to us that are not being utilized and many of you probably didn’t even know were there. We need to be able to evaluate these trailers, find out what we need to get them operational so we can use them in emergencies,” Hood said. “The first step in doing that is to get them moved to Robertsdale so that we can look at them.”

The measure was approved by a unanimous vote.

Hood also discussed the possibility of conducting mass casualty/triage and emergency notification training for LEPC members, along with organizations that could be affected by a mass casualty event.

“I know each municipality has protocols in place for emergency situations and we are there to support them in whatever way we can,” Hood said. “I think we all need to be on the same page as far as what municipal organizations and other first responders have and what you need from us to make things run more smoothly.”

The four-hour training sessions would include two hours of classroom instruction and two hours of hands-on training. Hood said he wanted to set up three of the four-hour sessions to allow as many organizations to participate as possible.

Utilizing certified instructors, the training would cost an estimated $3,700, he said. A location for the training would also need to be established.

“We can discuss the particulars in the next Steering Committee meeting,” he said. The training could be done as early as March 2020. “We can certainly delay that if you need more time to work out the particulars.”

Hood said EMA has funding set aside to pay for the training.

“My idea would be to split the cost of training with the LEPC,” he said. “Of course, if anyone would like to contribute to the cost, they are welcome to.”

LEPC meets quarterly at various locations throughout the year. The next meeting will be held beginning at 10:30 a.m. March 16 at North Baldwin Infirmary in Bay Minette.

An act of the State Legislature passed in 1986 requires that each county maintain an LEPC for the purposes of identifying companies that store and transport hazardous materials, provide oversight for the proper disposal of those materials and have an action plan in place should a disaster occur involving hazardous materials.

The committee is comprised of local first responders, representatives from hospitals and health agencies, volunteer organizations and members of the private sector. Lt. Kevin Carnley with the Foley Police Department currently serves as chairman for the group.

Meetings include committee reports, including a financial report, shelter report, medical health, law enforcement, fire services, industry and Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD).

“I think it’s important for the public to know that these meetings are open to anyone who wants to

The annual LEPC Christmas luncheon following the meeting. At the meeting Sept. 17, Committee members voted unanimously to spend $300 to supply meet for the luncheon. Committee members were also asked to bring a side dish.