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10 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | APRIL 2020 | While new leadership is being organized for EPAP, this vital organization has flourished under the Executive Team of Dick Spaulding, Mike Karpman, and Linda Stone. The team has expanded EPAP's presence on the Sun Lakes website and developed comprehensive training for all EPAP personnel. Monthly articles in Lifestyles and Sun Lakes Life have brought important information to residents on a regular basis. The idea of EPAP was conceived 27 years ago to create an organizational plan for trained volunteers to manage potentially catastrophic emergency situations in our community. The comprehensive plan includes all elements needed to deal with any emergency. Although no one can predict if or when a catastrophic event will occur, an effective survival and recovery protocol is the best insurance against the devastating effects of a disaster. This plan is only as good as the people who maintain it and stand ready to implement it when and if it becomes necessary. When activated, the EPAP organization pulls together trained volunteers, residents, and staff throughout Sun Lakes. It transcends normal organizational boundaries and puts us under the direction of an Incident Commander. The Incident Command System was created by FEMA after discrepancies were detected after 9/11. This system is in place across the country in all public emergency response organizations. Our EPAP Organization uses some of the elements of this system. Working with the Executive Team are District Operation members, including Delegates and Alternates, EPAP Coordinators, Zone Captains, and Medical Rescue Teams. The Executive Team is in charge of, and responsible for, emergency planning and coordination of activities with the Master Board, HOA Management, and authorities outside of Sun Lakes. When EPAP is activated in emergencies, the position of Incident Commander for the event will normally be filled by an Executive Team member or a suitable alternate. In addition to the Delegates and EPAP volunteers in each District, there are eight functional units that operate during a drill, or in an actual catastrophe: Public Information, Communications, Medical, EPAP Patrol, Information Management, Coordination, Animal Rescue Group, and RV Group. Our EPAP organization interfaces with external organizations such as city, county, and state agencies to request aid and assistance in a catastrophe. The more you know about this vital organization, the better prepared for any emergency you will be. Zone Captains Role In Connecting SLCC