Emergency Preparedness
Franklin County Regional Emergency Planning Committee
Members of the Franklin County REPC in a Hazardous Material awareness class.
Project Overview
The Franklin County Regional Emergency Planning Committee (REPC) exists to enhance cooperative regional emergency planning, and address the Federal SARA Title III requirement that all communities have active Local Emergency Planning Committees, procedures to deal with hazardous materials (“hazmat”) emergencies, meet right-to-know requirements, and encourage community awareness. All 26 Franklin County towns have chosen an “all hazards” approach to emergency planning. This approach addresses planning for hazmat emergencies as well as other natural, technological, and man-made events that call for a similar inter-town, inter-disciplinary response.
The Committee developed a Regional Hazardous Materials Emergency Plan (HMEP) which is a planning and guidance document that provides resources and recommendations for the development of individual community response plans. The REPC has several subcommittees (Planning, Industry, and Training) and an Executive Committee. The committee was recognized by the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) as a fully-certified Regional Emergency Planning Committee (REPC) in 2010. You can also download the Executive Summary of the plan, or the graphical action guide.
The Franklin County REPC remains the largest of 23 REPCs in the Commonwealth. During 2010, the Committee continued its mandated activities:
- Reviewing and updating the HMEP annually
- Training emergency responders
- Exercising response plans
- Creating a system to collect, store, and respond to public requests for information.
Last summer, REPC members and FRCOG staff spent months of hard work making multiple revisions to plans and procedures in order to gain full re-certification from the State Emergency Response Committee. Recertification means that each town, through the REPC, has met the state and federal guidelines under SARA Title III. This certification is good for three years (through January 1, 2014).
Additionally, the Committee:
- Conducted trainings for local first responders, including a class on Hazardous Materials Awareness (Sunderland) and two Incident Command System 100/700 classes (Heath, Whately).
- Worked with the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross in an effort to establish a prototype regional emergency shelter.
- Sent representation to various subcommittees of the Western Region Homeland Security Council.
- Organized development of county-wide guidelines for support of emergency responder “rehab” and food services.
With the assistance of FRCOG, the committee Collected and recorded Tier II Hazardous Material data updates from 68 sites in Franklin County in 2010. Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) facilities using, storing or manufacturing more than a certain amount of hazardous chemicals on-site at any time during a reporting year, are required to submit reports on their chemical inventories to state and local authorities. Submit your report on-line here: Tier II Update.
Current Activities
First responders and officials in Franklin County are busy at work cleaning up after Tropical Storm Irene. Below are some resources that may be helpful to responders, officials, and the public in the wake of Irene.
- Map of Road Closings: A map of Franklin County road closings created and donated by Roberge Associates Land Surveying.
- West County Relief Fund: WHAI radio station is collecting donations to assist West County families affected by the storm. To make donations or to apply for assistance, contact WHAI directly.
- Toll-Free Consumer Number for Insurance: The Patrick-Murray Administration has created a new toll-free hotline number for those affected by the June tornadoes and Tropical Storm Irene to get information or file a complaint.
- Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency: State’s website includes information on traffic, airports, and weather alerts.
- Boston Cares: To find out how to volunteer for western Massachusetts disaster recovery efforts or to post disaster-related volunteer opportunities.
- Red Cross—Pioneer Valley Chapter: To volunteer or donate.
- Dakin Animal Shelter: The Springfield shelter is still accepting animals for temporary care for citizens displaced by the storm. The Leverett shelter is full.
- Tips on Electricity After a Flood
- Recommendations for Private Wells Inundated by Flooding: Tips from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
- MA Department of Public Health Storm Fact Sheet: Tips from using private wells to food safety to injury prevention.
- Western MA Trauma Recovery Network: A team of therapists available to assist those affected by the storm.
If you know of more resources to add to this list, or have a question not answered by this list, please contact us.
Future Plans
The REPC continues to develop a multi-year training and exercise plan that focuses on specific response capabilities, and is presently studying the concept of establishing a Multi-Agency Coordination Center to help area cities and towns manage critical resources during regional emergencies.
This page was last updated on 09/02/2011 .