The Hall County Local Emergency Planning Committee is busy updating its annual plan for addressing hazardous material spills.

Committee members represent area public safety officials and representatives of industries and businesses that use or transport hazardous materials.

"We bring the industries in to the meeting so that we can know what chemicals are being stored or transported through the county, so that we can prepare a plan to address any potential spills," said William Wright, the county’s Emergency Management Agency coordinator. "We all work together so that if there is a problem and we need a certain piece of equipment for a cleanup, we know where to find it. The meetings help to build relationships and a resource pool between the industries and (local public safety departments)."

In addition to equipment available from area businesses, Hall County officials also have access to local hazardous material crews. Wright said the Georgia Emergency Management Agency funds two hazmat teams in Northeast Georgia; one in Hall, the other in Clarke County.

"Our hazmat team is fully funded and staffed by Hall County, and GEMA provides the equipment," Wright said.

A second Hall County hazmat team will soon be funded by GEMA through the sheriff’s department.

Jackson County officials go through an identical updating process every two years. Although the county doesn’t have its own hazmat team, Jackson County has access to both the Hall and Clarke teams, says Steve Nichols, director of Jackson County Emergency Services.

Although the hazardous spill plan is created by the planning committee, Wright says that there are things residents can do to prepare for such an emergency.

"I always push for everyone to purchase a NOAA weather radio," Wright said. "Right now, we have the warning sirens out in the county that we can use in case of an emergency, but we also have the authority to access the NOAA system to broadcast emergency information to the public. More than weather information comes out through the NOAA radios, so it’s very important for everyone to have one."

The Local Emergency Planning Committee is planning another meeting in August to gather additional information before coming up with a final plan for hazardous spills.