Emergency Preparedness
Franklin County Regional Emergency Planning Committee
Members of the Franklin County LEPC 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 2006. 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 2008, the Committee continued its mandated activities:
- Reviewing and Updating the HMEP annually.
- Training emergency responders.
- Exercising response plans.
With the assistance of FRCOG, the committee Collected and recorded Tier II Hazardous Material data updates from 57 sites in Franklin County. 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.
The REPC conducted training surveys to determine needs. Trainers provided Hazardous Materials Awareness Training for 20 responders in Charlemont. Training was conducted to the Incident Command System IS-100 and National Incident Management System IS-700 programs during four classes for more than 40 first responders at various locations.
Additionally, the Committee developed and made available laminated Hazardous Materials Action Guides for first response vehicles. Emergency Response Planning Maps which included Tier II Hazardous Material Sites were printed and distributed for each city/town. Four quarterly committee meetings were held, and representatives participated in the Western Regional Homeland Security Council and the Franklin County Emergency Communications System Oversight Committee. And finally the Committee continued to work in cooperation with the FRCOG and the Franklin County Solid Waste Management District (FCSWMD) on developing Disaster Debris Management and Animal Carcass Disposal Plans.
Current Activities
A regional Mass Casualty Exercise (MCI) is scheduled for October 10, 2009 in the town of Shelburne.
A regional Hazardous Materials exercise (HazMat) is scheduled for October 22, 2009 in the Town of Greenfield.
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.
The REPC and the FRCOG will be updating the Region’s Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, and will work with area towns identify new mitigation projects and help them qualify and apply for government assistance.