CSEPP
August 8, 2003 marked the 100th day since overt military action ended in Iraq. Europe was gripped in the middle of a heat wave so severe, that Pope John Paul II urged people to pray for rain. Arnold Schwarzenegger was just beginning his campaign to become governor of California. Yuri Malenchenko was making final preparations to travel to the International Space Station, where he would become the first person to get married in space.
Locally, an important event took place at the Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility. An aging GB M-55 rocket is placed on a conveyor to head into the rocket shear machine. This began the process of the destruction of chemical weapons at the Anniston Army Depot. Since that time, all nerve agents, and over 30% of the blister agents have been safely destroyed. Work will continue to destroy the remaining agent, with completion of work estimated to be before the end of 2012.
The destruction of the chemical agents brought the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program, better known as CSEPP, to Etowah County. CSEPP is the result of a partnership between the Army and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It was created to help communities near chemical destruction facilities to prepare for emergencies that could result in the event of an accident. Through this partnership, and with the cooperation of local emergency management and responders, communities were able to prepare sufficiently for the worst.
In Etowah County, CSEPP provided the means for the Gadsden/Etowah County EMA to expand its staff. The EMA's Emergency Operations Center was upgraded with new, sophisticated equipment. It also provided funds for the Medical Emergency Operations Center, located at Northeast Regional Airport in Gadsden. Greater coverage of outdoor warning sirens was accomplished thanks to CSEPP. Training made responders, and citizens alike more aware of community hazards, and how to appropriately respond to them. CSEPP also helped citizens, schools, hospitals and businesses in Etowah County receive a free Emergency Alert Radio to be used for emergency warnings for all hazards. Portable message boards, traffic barricades, and field response equipment are just a few of the other resources provided to our community thanks to CSEPP.
As we near the end of the destruction of the chemical agents at the Anniston Army Depot, we also near the end of CSEPP. However, the lessons learned from CSEPP should not be forgotten. Do you still have your shelter-in-place kit? Keep it. A major chemical accident in our community, such as the one that occurred as a result of a train accident in Talladega County in 2006, could cause the need to shelter-in-place. Has your family made an emergency supply kit, and a family emergency plan? Don't discard those either. These things will help your family be prepared for any emergency.
Years later, our brave men and women continue to serve in Iraq. It finally cooled off in Europe. Schwarzenegger is still the governor of California. Yuri Malenchenko and his bride are still married. CSEPP continues to support our community. The greatest success in the end will likely be the knowledge that our community has gained about hazards. We are prepared now, more than ever, for any emergency. Whether it be an unlikely accident at the Anniston Army Depot, or a tornado, our community is better prepared thanks to CSEPP.
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