Local emergency planners honored

COLUMBUS - The Columbus/Platte County Local Emergency Planning Committee received top state honors for its planning efforts.

The committee, made up of representatives from 15 agencies and communities, monitors chemical reports from facilities throughout the county. The information is used in emergency planning for response agencies.

The first Local Emergency Planning Committee of the Year Award from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency recognized the local organization for going above and beyond the national requirements.

“We are glad to be recognized for the extra work we have put in,” said Tim Hofbauer, a member of the committee and director of Columbus/Platte County Emergency Management.

The committee came about after Congress passed the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act in 1986. The law encourages and supports emergency planning and responding to chemical accidents, as well as providing local governments and the public with information about possible chemical hazards in their communities.

Hofbauer said the committee is required to meet once a year, but gets together at least quarterly. Local members also serve in various capacities on the Homeland Security exercise design team and have developed a volunteer resource database.

The planning committee assembles reports from businesses that store or handle hazardous chemicals as specified by the Environmental Protection Agency. More than 80 copies of the report are available at various agencies throughout the county, including county clerk offices and fire stations, Hofbauer said.

Committee members represent the East Central District Health Department, Prairie Valley Chapter of the Red Cross, Columbus Area United Way, Columbus\Platte County Emergency Management, Columbus Police Department, Columbus Fire Department, Platte County Sheriff's Department, City of Columbus, Platte County Board of Supervisors, Columbus Community Hospital, Columbus Public Schools, Archer Daniels Midland, Village of Platte Center, Three Eagles Communications and Midwest Medical Transportation.

Robert Shepherd, an officer with the Platte County Sheriff's Office, is president of the Columbus/Platte County Local Emergency Planning Committee.

Tonya Smith, State Emergency Response Commission coordinator for NEMA, said Platte County has been a “shining star” and a good role model for the state.