SIDNEY — Acting EMA Director Sam Reed announced to the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) on Tuesday that the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) Facilitator concurred with the conduct of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) exercise that was held on March 15. This completed the fourth year of the exercise cycle for the local LEPC.

The Ohio Revised Code establishes requirements for a four-year cycle of exercises to be held in the County for emergency situations. The March 15 exercise met all of their objectives. Anita Stechschulte, State SERC facilitator, praised the group for utilization of outside resources such as Ohio State Patrol, Ohio Department of Transportation, County Fair Board and OSU Extension staff. A recommendation for future exercises involved a greater County presence with the Sheriff, County Engineer and County Auditor since the exercise involves all of Shelby County. LEPC members are already planning the next exercise.

Reed also noted the LEPC grant was submitted by the Feb. 1 deadline and dates for upcoming ICS training will be May 6-7 and May 20-21. Reed and Hazmat Chief Cam Haller updated the committee on the new Hazmat vehicle which is to be purchased by March 2018.

Lou Ann Albers from the Shelby County Health Department announced a Public Health regional exercise to be held on June 6. This year’s exercise will activate the strategic active stockpile of medications.

The next bi-monthly meeting of the LEPC will be held on May 23.