LEPC Hosts Tabletop Exercise to Strengthen Community Preparedness and Coordination

Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

The Reno County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) recently hosted a tabletop discussion designed to strengthen communication and coordination among local partners. The meeting was held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center Pavilion, 1701 E. 23rd, Ave, Hutchinson. More than 20 people attended the meeting with an agenda that included a welcome, reminder of the purpose of the group, introductions of all in attendance, a discussion based learning activity, a moment to share updates from all attending partners and a reminder of the next meeting. 

A tabletop discussion-based learning scenario is a method where a team meets in an informal setting to discuss their response to a hypothetical emergency or crisis to test plans and identify gaps. The scenario given was a power grid failure on the west side of Hutchinson in mid-July with temperatures over 100 degrees. Many discussions were held talking about immediate priorities, most vulnerable populations and communication of information. The importance of signing up for Everbridge emergency alert system in Reno County at this link: Everbridge and looking at ready.gov for emergency preparedness checklists or resources was stressed by emergency management leaders.

LEPC Overview
In order to develop resilient communities, each county in Kansas is required to have a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), comprised of emergency response agencies, hospitals, industries, and community groups. Representatives from these disciplines come together to develop response and recovery plans for the hazards present in the community. Originally focused on chemical-related hazards, the LEPC has evolved to an all-hazards approach to public safety. Reno County has engaged citizens from many disciplines serving on the LEPC to ensure a prepared and resilient community.

Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Julie Kallas starts the LEPC meeting on Thursday. 

Dawn Veh, Executive Director with Mennonite Friendship Communities, discusses their plans in an event of an emergency including food supplies and generators. Kevin Irwin, 911 Director, discusses how messages can be sent to phones in an emergency through the Everbridge alert system.