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Commissioners approve LEPC tabletop hazmat exercise; discussion turns to countywide emergency-alert system
Summary
The board authorized a $3,500 contract for an August tabletop exercise on acetyl bromide, and commissioners discussed pursuing an emergency-alert plan combining IPAWS-capable vendor services and local apps such as the sheriff'''s app.
Adams County commissioners voted to authorize the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) to contract Brookfield Group to facilitate a tabletop hazardous-chemical exercise and to sign the contract for this year.
"They're gonna help us write a proposal and everything for it, and then they will come on August 7...and help us facilitate it," Megan, an LEPC staff member organizing the exercise, told the board. The contract for this year was stated as $3,500, with a higher cost forecast for a planned full-scale exercise next year.
The exercise will focus on acetyl bromide as a transportation hazard; registration opens at 5:30 p.m. with the exercise running approximately 6 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 7 in Geneva. Last year'''s exercise drew roughly 40 first responders, organizers said.
Commissioners then broadened the conversation to county communications. Staff briefed the board on vendors that can provide IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert and Warning System) gateway access and app-based county alerts. CivicPlus and other vendors were discussed; staff provided cost ranges, including a vendor quote that would provide IPAWS gateway capability for roughly $12,000 per year, with more fully featured packages in the $12,000'$20,000 per year range. Staff also noted a possible first-year build cost closer to $9,000 for an app-based solution, with ongoing annual costs around $5,000'$18,000 depending on features.
Several commissioners endorsed a combined approach of keeping sirens and adding private/app-based alerts. One commissioner said, "I've downloaded the sheriff's app, and I continue to get what I consider to be really valuable information... As a resident of Adams County, you can download that app from the sheriff's department... it's helpful." Staff suggested preparing a comprehensive county alert plan that would pair siren coverage with an app/IPAWS solution and asked to present formal recommendations and budget estimates.
A motion authorizing the chair to sign the Brookfield Group contract was moved and seconded; the board recorded the motion as carrying.
