Catoosa County Local Emergency Planning Committee Marks 10 Years Of Service

With the threat of a worldwide mass pandemic in the headlines, a group of Catoosa County, Ringgold, and Fort Oglethorpe public servants and business people met seeking a common forum to protect life, and improve the health of the citizens of Catoosa County. The group expanded later to include all potential emergency challenges which could impact the community.

Chairman Steven Quinn of Catoosa County Fire Department, said that the group formed the Local Emergency Planning Committee to build professional relationships among agencies, businesses, government, and emergency services.

"The objective was to increase cooperation, coordination, and interaction in the event of major incidents such as weather-related emergencies, hazardous material spills, terrorist attacks, large scale fires, and active shooter attacks,” he said.

Recognized by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the committee develops and implements strategies for response to these incidents on a countywide level, according to Vice Chairperson Lana Duff of Angel Emergency Medical Services.

“We facilitate training, participate in local drills and exercises such as the flu vaccine drill of 2008 and Georgia Northwestern College active shooter drill,” she said.

Secretary Jill Van Dyke of Catoosa County Environmental Health said that the organization also seeks and attains grant funding.

“We supported AED placement in public facilities, created volunteer participation by helping to start the CERT – Community Emergency Response Teams and the Storm Spotters programs,” she said.

Treasurer Randall Franks, Ringgold City Councilmember, said that it is the planning, relationships, and teamwork created by the LEPC that help our community excel in the face of adversity.

“Whether it is disaster relief after the September 2009 flooding, April 2011 tornadoes, or other emergency incidents, what we hear consistently from agencies outside our community are comments about the seamless way we work together and accomplish what needs to be done,” he said. “The relationships built, training and planning through this organization helped our successful emergency response after the tornadoes and allowed us to effectively lead the rebuilding of our community.”

Proclamations by the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners, Catoosa County Board of Education, Ringgold City Council, and Fort Oglethorpe City Council, all denoted the contributions of the organization for its 10th Anniversary while recognizing each organization’s employees who contributed to the cooperative effort for the endless hours of dedication to the safety and well-being of residents by all its members. The boards also acknowledged the LEPC board Mr. Quinn, Ms. Duff, Ms. Van Dyke, and Mr. Franks for leading the organization since its inception. 

"What we do would not be possible without the support of our community through donations and the grants we receive when we are eligible," Mr. Franks said. "We want to express our continued thanks to all who invest their volunteer time and money in making our community safer, and well prepared for whatever may come in the future."

The work of the Catoosa County Local Emergency Planning Committee is funded by donations from individuals, businesses, and grants. To support the effort, individuals and businesses may donate to Catoosa County LEPC, 800 LaFayette Street, Ringgold, Ga. 30736

Among the current LEPC members: Angel Emergency Medical Services; Catoosa County Coroner; Catoosa County Emergency Management Agency; Catoosa County Fire Department; Catoosa County Government, Catoosa County Health Department; Catoosa County Public Schools; Catoosa County Sheriff Department; City of Fort Oglethorpe; City of Ringgold; Cornerstone Medical Center; Fort Oglethorpe Fire & Rescue; Fort Oglethorpe Police Department; Ringgold Police Department; Catoosa County Emergency Response Team (CERT); Catoosa County Extension Office; Catoosa County HAMM Operators; Catoosa County Storm Spotters; Colonial Pipeline; Dalton Utilities; Department of Family and Children Services; Erlanger Medical Center; Catoosa Family Collaborative; Georgia Emergency Management Agency; Georgia Northwestern Technical College; Heritage Pointe Baptist Church; National Guard Catoosa County Training Site; North Georgia Electric Membership; Parkridge Medical Center; Puckett EMS; American Red Cross; Shaw Industries; and SRT Safety.