ESDPC

“The race of mankind would perish did they cease to aid each other.  We cannot exist without mutual help.  All therefore that need aid have a right to ask it from their fellow-men; and no one who has the power of granting can refuse it without guilt.”

- Sir Walter Scott

Eastern Shore Disaster Preparedness Coalition (ESDPC)

A Local Emergency Planning Coalition (LEPC) is a product of federal legislation that was passed in the wake of the Bhopal disaster in India, where thousands of people died because of an accident involving hazardous materials.  To prevent similar occurrence in our communities, in 1986 Congress passed a law, commonly known as SARA Title III that establishes requirements for businesses and for federal, state and local governments regarding emergency planning and community right to know.

LEPC’s are links between citizens, industry and the government. Because LEPC’s are most familiar with the hazards in their own community, and because local citizens tend to be the first responders in an emergency, LEPC’s are in the best position to assist local governments in developing emergency plans.

In 2003, Accomack County’s LEPC joined with Northampton County’s LEPC to form the Eastern Shore Disaster Preparedness Coalition (ESDPC).  The role of the ESDPC is to form a partnership with local governments and industries as a resource for enhancing all hazards preparedness, instead of just hazardous materials incidents.  Membership comes from the Eastern Shore, representing various organizations, agencies, departments, facilities and other groups that have a role in an emergency response – private, state, local government, volunteer, etc.

The ESDPC is also the Citizen Corps Council (CCC) for both counties on the Eastern Shore.  The Eastern Shore CCC oversees the Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) programs.  Both of these programs are voluntary (and free) programs designed to teach citizens how to prepare themselves for disasters as well as give an outlet for members to assist the counties in their emergency preparedness outreach programs.   

The mission of the Eastern Shore Disaster Preparedness Coalition (ESDPC) is to prepare the Eastern Shore of Virginia for all types of disasters and to promote regional planning and coordination.

The Coalition is a broad ranging organization that meets on a quarterly basis at the Eastern Shore Community College.  The Coalition is open to any organization or person who has a role in Emergency/Disaster Preparedness, Planning, Response, and/or Mitigation on the Eastern Shore.  Members range from Northampton and Accomack County emergency service organizations, health departments and schools to church based disaster relief groups, mayors and volunteer amateur radio operators.  All play a vital role in recovery efforts on the Eastern Shore after a major disaster strikes.

The Coalition prepares for disasters in many ways.  Examples include:

• Promote and disseminate public education materials to citizens and visitors to the Eastern Shore.
• Promote citizen involvement in disaster preparedness
• Provide a communication forum among a wide spectrum of organizations involved in disaster management.
• Organize and participate in local, regional, and statewide drills and exercises that focus on various aspects of disaster management.
• Provide a forum for regionalization of personnel and resources
• Sponsor and promote FEMA-required disaster management classes for all people involved with disaster response and management

For information on joining the Coalition, please contact a Coalition Executive Committee member.

The current Executive Committee and their contact information:

Current Coalition organizations and their local contact name:

Coalition minutes and bylaws are available on the left hand side of this page.

Some ESDPC members in action - Eastern Shore Rural Health and Eastern Shore Health District:

Eastern Shore Rural Health System Inc. is one very active participant in the Coalition.  Rural Health Chief of Operations Anne Crabbe sits on the Coalition Executive Committee and the organization participates in local exercises as well as assisting with distribution of Spanish emergency preparedness information to the Hispanic population.  Rural Health assists during local disasters by manning a first aid tent at Points of Distribution Sites (PODS), and opening their centers as Neighborhood Emergency Help Centers (NEHC).  In 2010, Rural Health received the VA Emergency Management Association’s Corporate Award for their work on the Eastern Shore.

Pictured below are Rural Health’s CEO Nancy Stern and COO Anne Crabbe with their award. 

Also pictured is a briefing for Rural Health and Health Dept. employees participating in a NEHC Exercise at Rural Health's  Franktown Community Health Center.