E.P.A.C. (Emergency Preparedness and Coordination)
In compliance with the Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act (SARA-Title III), the City of Cambridge established a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). In March 2010, the LEPC Office was re-named the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Coordination (EPAC). The Cambridge Office of Emergency Management is also located within the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Coordination.
The EPAC Office performs many functions integral to the successful emergency planning and response objectives of the City of Cambridge. The EPAC Office performs the following functions: Coordinates the Cambridge LEPC; Collects all mandated Tier II Submittals; Coordinates the inter-agency planning and response to hazardous material/terrorism incidents; Reviews the operation of laboratory/research facilities for permitting; Conducts periodic compliance inspections of laboratory/research facilities; Investigates all hazardous material releases in the city; Works closely with Cambridge Public Health Department as well as Cambridge Police Department officials on emergency planning and response coordination; Serves as the safety officer for household hazardous waste collection days by DPW; Works closely with the Environmental Health & Safety staff of numerous facilities in the city to ensure compliance with assorted regulations; and Oversees the Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) program.
The role of the EPAC Office continues to evolve in Cambridge. The influx of laboratory/research facilities into the City requires diligence, along with the ability to forge partnerships, to continually enhance the ability of the City to respond to and mitigate potentially harmful incidents. Recovery after any type of disaster is often a long and complicated process. Continued emphasis on this important function through numerous training exercises and discussions will help position the city to realize more complete and timely recovery. The EPAC Office continues to encourage greater participation in the Corporate Emergency Access System (CEAS) program, which will ensure an effective and timely response to, and recovery from, major incidents by corporate and institutional entities within the city.