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Local Emergency Planning Committee   

           The Local Emergency Planning Committee is a product of federal legislation passed by Congress
           after the disaster in Bhopal, India, where thousands of people died from an accident involving
           hazardous chemicals. To prevent similar accidents in our communities, in 1986 Congress passed
           the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), also known as SARA Title III.
           EPCRA established requirements for businesses, and for federal, state, and local governments regarding
           emergency planning, and community-right-to-know reporting for hazardous chemicals. This helps increase
           public awareness about the presence of chemicals in their communities and any releases of these chemicals
           into the environment. The State of Idaho also enacted the Hazardous Substance Emergency Response Act
           (Idaho Code: Title 39, Chapter 71).

           LEPCs are the link between citizens, industry and the government. The membership comes from the local
           area and is familiar with factors that affect public safety, the environment, and the economy of the
          community. In Gem County the LEPC tasks have been expanded beyond just chemical hazards to include
          information and discussion about emergency planning, training and exercising, for all hazards.

          For more information contact the LEPC Coordinator at Email

 

     Community Emergency Response Team    

      CERT is a FEMA sponsored nationwide program where members can assist others by applying the basic response and
 organizational skills they learn in training. These skills can help save and sustain lives following a disaster and apply to
 daily emergencies.

 Locally, CERT training can be arranged for neighborhood or other community groups. For more information contact the
 CERT Coordinator at Gem County CERT or visit our website at
 http://www.co.gem.id.us/disaster-services/cert/default.htm

Gem County’s Community Emergency Response Team also has specialized training for assisting first responders –
this participation is available to NIMS and ICS trained CERT members.

 Gem County’s CERT Mission Statement

Mission Statement is to assist the communities of Gem County in disaster and emergency softy awareness,
education and training in disaster preparedness, and to provide assistance to Gem County Emergency Services.

 What resources are available for disaster preparedness information?

     There are some good resources available online and locally to help you prepare yourself and your family for a disaster.

  o Earthquake Information

  o Earthquakes for Kids

o FEMA

o Preparedness For Kids

o Ready America

o Red Cross

o Southwest District Health

     What can I do to protect my family now? 

•       Create or purchase a 72-hour kit, with enough food and water for your family for 3 days. 
  Be sure to include food for pets, medication and a battery-powered radio.

•       Design an evacuation plan for your family and practice regular fire drills.
   

•       Make sure your smoke alarms are in good working order.
   

      What should I do when a disaster happens?

•      Make sure you and your family are safe.
   

•      Check on your neighbors.
   

•      Follow the directions of law enforcement for evacuations or sheltering in place.
   

•      Stay calm and do what you can to assist in your home and neighborhood.