Local Emergency Planning Commission

(LEPC)

 

Principal Duty

The principal duty of the LEPC shall be to evaluate, update, exercise, and activate the Charles County Emergency Operations Plan.

• Charles County has an Emergency Operations Plan that is exercised and activated as needed by our Local Emergency Planning Committee or LEPC depending upon the nature of the emergency or incident. The LEPC works with all levels of government to deal with emergency preparedness, whether it is a hurricane, hazardous material incident, mass casualty accident, power outage, etc.
• The Emergency Operations Plan has been in force long before September 11, 2001. It is very fluid and is subject to State and Federal guidelines, and is coordinated and in communication with State and Federal agencies as required.
• Before September 11, 2001, the LEPC met on a monthly basis addressing emergency preparedness issues. Now the LEPC meets on a weekly basis to address the terrorism issue, and is prepared to increase the frequency as necessary.
• The Emergency Operations Plan has standard procedures to deal with different types of emergencies, including terrorist incidents. Those procedures have not changed because of September 11, 2001. The Local Emergency Planning Committee is integrating and updating scenarios into the plan as they arise and information is available.
• The Emergency Operations Plan already has a system to alert/inform the public via the media, reverse 911, door-to-door contact, our web site, and the 24-hour automated response system.
• The LEPC is also developing an informational insert to be distributed via the local newspapers in November to provide important phone numbers for assistance and instructions for dealing with potential threats, and sources for up-to-date information.

Committee Membership

The Charles County LEPC membership includes:

• County Government Departments: Commissioners/Administration, Emergency Services (Fire/EMS/911 Communications, Animal Control, 911 Addressing), Information Technology, Community Services, Planning and Growth Management, Public Facilities, Utilities.
• Other outside agencies: Charles County Public Schools, Health Department, Sheriff's Office/Detention Center, Social Services, Charles County Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squads, Maryland State Police, Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit, Maryland Emergency Management Agency liaison, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, State Highway Administration, Maryland Department of the Environment.
• Municipal governments: Towns of La Plata and Indian Head
• Public Utilities: SMECO and Washington Gas
• Civista Medical Center
• Chamber of Commerce, St. Charles Towne Center
• Military: NSWC, Indian Head Divsion
• Municipal governments: Towns of La Plata and Indian Head
• American Red Cross Southern Maryland Chapter
• Waldorf Post Office

Bylaws

• LEPC Bylaws

Bio Terrorism

As we know, terrorism is no longer in remote countries or along international boundaries. It came to the United States with the September 11, 2001, bombing, and the threat continues to rise as the terrorists look to different weapons of mass destruction as a means to their end to destroy our way of life.

Today we are here to explain the status of Charles County's homeland protection plan as we strike back against the terrorists who are attacking our country.

First, this is not a press conference or definitive question and answer session. Everyone has many questions. Government does not have all the answers. Further, we cannot emphasize enough the important role of our citizens in the success of this effort. Effective collaboration is truly our best defense.

We do not want our citizens to be so terrified that they will not go about the business of America. If we let terror rule, the oppressors have won. However, our citizens are our eyes and ears. They need to be on alert to report suspicious activity, and to know who and when to call if they have questions, and what information to provide to authorities.

We want our citizens to know that we have not been operating in a vacuum, and have a comprehensive program to respond to threats of other emergencies as they arise. Our plan is being coordinated through our Local Emergency Planning Committee, which is comprised of numerous public and private agencies. Each agency has responsibility in this effort, and have been dealing with emergencies before September 11, 2001, through the Charles County Emergency Operations Plan.

Our objective today is to give you some background on the Local Emergency Committee, information on anthrax, mail handling, contacts and phone numbers, and sources for additional information.

What Is Anthrax

Anthrax is only one component of bio-terrorism. This acute, infectious disease is in the forefront since its presence on Capitol Hill and local post offices. Tomorrow it could be the plague, botulism, smallpox, or chemical weapons or a bomb.

Anthrax is caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus antracis. It is easy to produce and disperse. There is no screening test for anthrax, just determination if you have been exposed. Infection is not contagious -- spread from one person to another -- and can be prevented after exposure with antibiotic treatment.

Infection occurs three ways:

1. Cutaneous - is rubbed into abraded skin. Infection begins as a raised itchy bump that looks like an insect bite that develops into a painless ulcer with a black dying area in the center.
2. Intestinal - occurs from consumption of contaminated food and is characterized by acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Signs include nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and fever, followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea.
3. Inhalational - spores are inhaled as a fine aerosol mist and deposited in the lungs. Symptoms resemble a cold, but after several days, progress to severe breathing problems and shock.

What precautions should you take?

• Practice good personal hygiene.
• Since the exposure has come from the mail, follow the USPS procedures which have been established for handling suspicious mail.

What constitutes suspicious mail? Parcels that:

• are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you
• are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are otherwise outdated
• have no return address, or have one that can't be verified as legitimate
• are marked with restrictive markings, such as "personal" or "confidential"
• have protruding wires, strange odors, or stains
• show a city or state in the postmark that doesn't match the return address
• have excessive postage, tape or string

What should I do with a suspicious piece of mail?

• don't handle a letter or package you suspect is contaminated
• don't shake it, bump it, or sniff it
• wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
• notify local law enforcement authorities

To notify local law enforcement authorities in Charles County call:

• 911 for a life-threatening emergency
• to report suspicious activity, suspicious mail, or if you have other non-emergency questions about substances or activities:
  - Charles County Sheriff's Office: (301) 932-2222
  - Maryland State Police, Barrack H, La Plata: (301) 392-1200
  - La Plata Town Police: (301) 934-1500
• When you call, don't panic. Keep calm. Answer the questions asked by the 911 call taker or dispatcher. Your response is important in how the incident will be handled. Follow their instructions until help arrives.
• REMEMBER: LAW ENFORCEMENT TREATS CALLS SERIOUSLY. ALL HOAXES AND THREATS WILL BE PROSECUTED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW.

Information Sources

• Civista Medical