LEPC focus on planning for emergencies

The Local Emergency Planning Committee met Tuesday in the courtroom of the Hill County Detention Center discussing latest emergency planning.

Hill County Sheriff Jamie Ross told representatives of different agencies at the meeting that both the basement of Havre City Hall and the courtroom at the Hill County Detention Center can be used as an emergency operations center. Ross showed attendees how to set up the equipment in the courtroom and what equipment is available during an emergency.

Havre Assistant Chief of Police Jason Barkus said a few bugs exist with the Code Red system, when it comes to detecting the recipient’s location. A temporary workaround, allows users to pinpoint their exact GPS location. Work is underway to fix those bugs.

Ross said the Code Red system “is an emergency notification system that allows local officials to notify the public via multiple platforms in the event of a community emergency.”

The system has been in place for several months. Ross recommended that all day care providers be signed up for Code Red.

People who want to be notified of community emergencies can sign up through https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BFB7CC4C6C0A/.

U.S. Border Patrol Agent Kevin Hunter said that they are looking into possibly holding active shooter training exercises for local law enforcement only, and later possibly expanding those exercises to other agencies.

LEPC also addressed ways the public can get involved when it comes to aiding in disaster relief.

The Rev. William “Mac” McGrew, pastor at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, mentioned early response training being held March 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The training is open to anyone 18 years of age or older. The training is being run by the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

McGrew said background checks will be done for those in attendance and will receive credentials that are good for three years. People can register at http://mtnskyumc.org/disaster/ERTprogram/.  

The next LEPC meeting is April 9 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Detention Center courtroom.