On March 19, Dana Simerly, director of Union County’s Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), offered details regarding how they are prepared to address pandemics such as we are currently facing with COVID-19.
The committee is comprised of key figures in the county such as public officials, the Health Department, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, the Red Cross, first responders and local citizens. This committee serves as the nucleus for all emergency and support personnel; incorporating participants from various backgrounds helps to consider many possible scenarios and to be prepared with a range of solutions. The LEPC is federally mandated, but non-funded, so the director and all committee members are volunteers.
Simerly shared two functions of this committee. The first is to develop an Emergency Management Plan, which lists the names of the committee members and their key roles, defines who is the point person for each type of event, and clearly expresses who does what. It involves making decisions regarding road closures, getting assistance from out of county, etc. Simerly stated that he looks strongly to the faith communities and service providers to provide help in a crisis. Schools often serve as central gathering facilities and as shelters.
The LEPC function during this healthcare crisis is to provide information. Simerly often appears at schools and community functions with Wally Wiseguy, a turtle who demonstrates sheltering in place, which is well named because it means just what it implies:
- Separate yourself from others
- Pull into your own space
- Take care of yourself (to the extent that you are able)
The point person for this event is Garnett Southerland, the Health Department Director of both Union and Claiborne counties. Southerland spends time with regional leaders getting updates multiple times a day and is the best local source of information about COVID-19 and its presence in our county. Simerly states that Southerland is well informed, coordinating with other agencies, and that he has every confidence in her handling of this event.
The second function of this committee is Tier II – Community Right to Know about businesses that use or store hazardous chemicals or materials. Businesses must register with the University of Texas - Dallas and submit a report to Tier II by March 31 of each year. Some local examples are: BellSouth, Claytons, Container Corporation, Farmers Co-Op, Halls-Powell Utility District, RediMix and Vulcan.
In the event of an emergency, such as a fire or a spill, both EMS and the LEPC have access to and can share information regarding the types of materials that might be involved and the quantities anticipated to be on hand. Not only does this serve as a repository of information, it also provides an opportunity for competitors to come together face-to-face and look at issues affecting each of them.
The LEPC meets quarterly at the 911 center and is open to the public; the next meeting will be on June 11 at 10 a.m. For more information on how to be prepared in case of a disaster, please visit TNReady online.