Since Congress mandated the destruction of chemical munitions stored at the Anniston Army Depot in 1986, the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency has been active in the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP). The program is a coordinated effort among federal, state and local agencies, as well as the private sector and volunteers, to save lives and protect property in the unlikely event of a chemical incident at the Anniston Army Depot. Across the country, seven other chemical stockpile sites have been involved with the program, as well.

But now, with the munitions almost entirely destroyed, the program is drawing to a close this summer. While the program itself will end, the benefits received by St. Clair County during its participation will remain.

To ensure communities would be prepared for any dangerous situations stemming from the destruction of these chemical munitions, federal CSEPP funds invested in infrastructure and training at the county level.

“The CSEP Program has provided millions in funding for equipment and for emergency preparedness,” said St. Clair County EMA Assistant Director Patrice Payne. “We feel our citizens are more prepared for disasters that might affect them in their community.”

St. Clair County EMA director Ellen Haynes said the county has received material support like radios, repeaters, communication tower improvement, outdoor warning sirens, weather radios, HAZMAT support, traffic control and computers through grant funds. But it also required multiple agencies to work together and plan for disaster, which can prove crucial in the midst of an emergency.

“When all disciplines come together to work on plans, you first get a better and more comprehensive plan and secondly, the face-to-face contact and coordination that takes place results in forming relationships that make for more efficient and productive emergency response actions during disasters,” Haynes said.

While CSEPP will end, the St. Clair County EMA will remain as active as ever, and continuing to work toward the goal of making St. Clair County a safer place to live.

“The funding has been a blessing for our county but with those millions comes many and many hours of paperwork,” Payne said. “After CSEPP has ended this year, we are looking forward to being able to get out of the office and out into the community more. We also want to refine our Local Emergency Planning Committee in conjunction with our emergency responders and businesses.”

“When it comes to emergency preparedness and response, St. Clair County is in good standing,” Haynes added. “Actions to improve have been identified and are in the works. The people that serve in the various emergency response departments and in the cities and towns of St. Clair County are dedicated to serving the public to the best of their abilities and this fact won’t change just because CSEPP is gone.”