Community Disaster Planning

Look to these local, state, and national resources to plan and keep your community members safe in the event of a disaster:

• [Federal] FEMA's National REsponse Framework Resource Center
• [State] Vt. Division of Emergency Management Emergency Operations Plan
• [State] Vt. Emergency Management Training Calendar
• [Local - Vermont Towns] Vermont Division of Emergency Management's Local Emergency Operations Plan

The "Who's Who" in Vermont disaster planning can help you navigate the alphabet soup of government agencies and their programs:

Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) is responsible for organizing the state's planning and preparedness activities and plans, and coordination of all local and state emergency or disaster responses. VEM is within the Vermont Department of Public Safety, as is the Vermont State Police.

Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC) are organized by VEM. There are 13 within Vermont. The LEPC mission is to develop and maintain emergency and all-hazards plans through community involvement, and to provide information to the public on chemical releases.

The LEPCs are advised by the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC). The Vermont Citizen Corps Council, within the SERC, is comprised of representatives from the Fire Service, Law Enforcement, Industry, Emergency Medical Services, American Red Cross, and citizens.

Vermont Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) are formed by local Citizen Corps Councils. CERT members are trained to be better prepared to take care of themselves, family, friends, and neighbors in the event of a disaster until Emergency Responders arrive.

Vermont Emergency Response Volunteers (VERV) are volunteers trained by the Vt. Department of Health to work alongside local district health offices and regional and statewide volunteer organizations in the event of a disaster or public health emergency.

Last modified October 26 2012 10:28 AM