Harpers Ferry / Bolivar Report

Oct. 13th Harpers Ferry / Bolivar Report to Citizens

Harpers Ferry / Bolivar Emergency Preparedness Plan

I. PLANNING

The Town Council provides the emergency planning committee function. No special committee exists for Harpers Ferry and Bolivar.
The planning process prior to Y2K issues has been negligible, and any weather-related emergency has been addressed as it has arisen by the Town's Mayor and Police Department. There has been no active or sustained process of emergency planning except to cooperate with county officials and the local Red Cross.
Other than the above, the Harpers Ferry and Bolivar focus has been on fire, police and water. That has consisted of the maintenance of a potable water supply, adequate sewerage facilities, in maintaining order as well as helping individuals in distress, and by supporting the volunteer fire department.
The Emergency Preparedness Plan for Harpers Ferry is contained herein, and is referenced above in the underlined passages.
There are no written contingency plans other than herein.
The Y2K issue has been addressed at several Council meetings, and the town requested and received materials and a presentation early in the year by a person knowledgable in this area. That presentation led to the Town having its PCs checked by a local expert. There are no concerns at the Water plant.
We have no planned interface with local businesses because they are primarily tourist-related.

II. FAMILY AND NEIGHBORHOOD PREPAREDNESS

Harpers Ferry advocates community-wide preparedness yet does not have the resources to accomplish that. Harpers Ferry subscribes to the efforts of the local Red Cross and would refer the residents of Harpers Ferry and Bolivar to the booklet provided by the Red Cross in cooperation with many other persons and organizations, entitled:
"Preparing for Emergencies in Jefferson County".
The above referenced booklet will be made available to all households in Harpers Ferry by way of distribution at the Town Hall and announcement in Town Council meetings.
There is currently no Hotline established, but plans have been made to use the Town Hall and phone (535-2206) for emergencies, in connection with a phone tree operated by Town Council members for emergency notification.
The Town Council of Harpers Ferry in connection with our Police department will act in conjunction with the Town Council in Bolivar to be neighborhood emergency coordinators.
There is one convenience store in Bolivar, and none in Harpers Ferry, so there has been no attempt to interface on emergency preparedness.

III. HEALTHCARE

Harpers Ferry and Bolivar have no healthcare response plan, and emergencies are handled on a case by case basis.
Harpers Ferry is not aware of any emergency plans by the local physician practice, nursing facility, or dentist.
Harpers Ferry or Bolivar have neither a healthcare funds flow nor medication supply plan.

IV. PUBLIC SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT

There are no hazardous facilities in Harpers Ferry or Bolivar other than chlorine tanks at the water plant, which has emergency plans associated with it.
The Harpers Ferry and Bolivar water supply is audited regularly for contaminants and can be audited at will.
The average daily use for Harpers Ferry and Bolivar is approximately 200,000 gallons per day. Without power without conservation efforts, there is an approximate 7 to 14 days supply depending on the time of year.
The Harpers Ferry/Bolivar Public Service District officials will have to comment on sewerage matters. We have been assured that plans are in place.
The public in Harpers Ferry and Bolivar will depend on the information in the booklet "Preparing for Emergencies in Jefferson County", for information on the emergency storage and use of fuels, heaters, candles, etc.
Only our Police Department would address the "Unwelcome Visitor" issue, and no specific plans exist.

V. ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE PERSONS

No special backup plan; case by case basis.
There is no formal plan for restoration of services, due to small size of community. The communities recognize that vulnerable persons may have a greater need or immediacy and will prioritize as needed where the community has any control over such restoration.
There are no food or shelter contingency plans for the needy. Harpers Ferry and Bolivar in the past have depended on the resources of other members of the community who are able to lend assistance to the needy; that, combined with any County-wide resources would constitute our plan, coordinated through the elected officials of each community.
There are no formal written plans, nor formalized or mandated instructions for the participation of the underserved or minorities.

VI. CRITICAL COMMUNITY SERVICES

Y2K audit done of Police computers.
No formal plan for communication failure.
No backup generators.
The towns of Harpers Ferry and Bolivar have been assured by Potomac Edison that their systems are Y2K compliant, and are not aware of any emergency plans of either electric or other fuel suppliers.

VII. GENERAL MATTERS

The Town of Harpers Ferry has tested the PCs in the office used for water department billing, as well as those used for town business.
No independent verification has been done.
The Mayor of Harpers Ferry has reported to the Town Council that Harpers Ferry is Y2K compliant.
Harpers Ferry and Bolivar are vulnerable to the interruption of utilities and problems of the supply chain with food and pharmaceuticals.
There is no formal plan to coordinate County/Town response, but Harpers Ferry and Bolivar will open lines of communication with County agencies as the need arises.

Paul Courtney, Mayor of Bolivar
Walton "Kip" Stowell, Mayor of Harpers Ferry

last updated Nov. 26, 1999
URL: http://www.intrepid.net/y2k-shepherdstown/HFBol.html