OUR MISSION

Miami County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) was established in accordance with the Kansas Planning Standards, Kansas Division of Emergency Management, Miami County Commission, and Miami County Emergency Management. LEPC's purpose is to manage local emergencies or disasters so that their effects are minimized and continuity of government is maintained.

The LEPC's first major task was to develop the Miami County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). The EOP was designed to be compatible with emergency plans of other agencies and entities, including municipalities, police and fire departments, businesses, school districts, etc. The plan's four primary functions are:

1. Provide for continuity of government in event of a local emergency or disaster. This is accomplished by providing lines of succession and authority.
2. Describe the essential elements of the Integrated Emergency Management System (IEMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS). The essential elements are:
   1. Mitigation: Avoid or prevent emergencies from occurring, and reduce the ill effects of those that are unavoidable.
   2. Preparedness: Prepare Miami County to cope with emergencies that can not be avoided. This includes planning, training, maintaining supplies, equipment, facilities and personnel.
   3. Response: Get to the scene of an incident quickly and take immediate, decisive action that will eliminate the incident or reduce its severity. Response activities may include warning, evacuation, suppression, rescue, apprehension, treatment, and when safety dictates, withdrawal.
   4. Recovery: Return the affected area to normal or an even safer condition following an incident or emergency.
3. Predetermine which agency will provide the Incident Commander and accept primary control of emergency or disaster tasks and critical administrative functions.
4. Provide department and agency directors and emergency responders a short, easy-to-read listing of task assignments to be carried out in emergencies as required by the Incident Commander. This is accomplished through specific assignments and checklists that outline the roles, duties, and responsibilities of response personnel.