Emergency planning benefits valley
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The Mission Valley has a little-known but valuable asset with the local Tribal Emergency Response Committee/Local Emergency Planning Committee.
TERC/LEPC consists of a group of people who meet monthly in order to better respond to emergency events in Lake and Sanders Counties. A varied group of professionals including law enforcement, fire responders, ambulance services, Search and Rescue, emergency management officials, schools, public health, area hospitals, and infrastructure specialists are only a few of the many entities involved in emergency planning for our area. In a spirit of cooperation and support, representatives include tribal, city, county, regional, state, and federal affiliates.
On June 25, a joint training exercise involving a chemical hazard was held in Ronan. By transporting real people and responding as if to an actual emergency, our TERC/LEPC emergency response improves dramatically. Thanks to the Ronan Fire Department, Ronan Ambulance, Lake County OEM and dispatch, and St. Luke Community Healthcare, the exercise was a great success. Kicking Horse Job Corps deserves special kudos for providing students to act as victims and family members.
While practice often doesn’t lead to perfect results, emergency planning and practice leads to improved outcomes. Thanks to the people who participate in TERC/LEPC, the Mission Valley is a safer place.
