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10 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JUNE 2024 | You've moved into Sun Lakes Country Club, a 55+ planned community. One of the first items on your agenda is to register as a resident and complete the New Resident process. During this procedure, you are given packets of information about many of the different programs offered at Sun Lakes Country Club. In this stack of materials is the EPAP Manual. You are asked if you want to "participate" or "opt out" of some of the programs — one of them is EPAP. What? So much information is being given to you and you are a bit overwhelmed. Do you even know what EPAP stands for? What does it mean "to be part of or opt out?" Sun Lakes Country Club EPAP – Emergency Preparedness Action Plan: As most of us are aware we, the residents of the Sun Lakes are no less susceptible to the devastating effects of both natural and man-made disasters than any other community. It is also a fact that any emergency event large enough to be potentially catastrophic will overtax the resources of our local emergency services and utilities for the first few hours, at least. During that period, it will be critically important that we be prepared and equipped to care for ourselves. It would be irresponsible, even foolish, to fail to be prepared. Although no one can predict if or when a catastrophic event affecting our community will occur, we are confident that an effective emergency survival and recovery plan is our best insurance against the devastating effects of a major disaster. Such a plan was developed by Sun Lakes Emergency Preparedness Organization and approved by the Delegate Assembly and Master Board of Directors in 1991. The Plan has been revised frequently in order to remain effective as changes in conditions, availability of emergency services, and our Club membership occur. The Sun Lakes Emergency Preparedness Organization was established as a Permanent Standing Committee by the Master Board of Directors in 2018. As such, the Plan can be implemented with increased support and awareness from all levels of the Sun Lakes Country Club Homeowners Association including residents, District Delegates, organization operations staff, management, and the Master Board of Directors. The EPAP "Plan" is an operational concept that creates an organization of trained volunteers for the purpose of managing potentially catastrophic emergency situations in the Sun Lakes community. It is designed to deal with situations where normal public resources are no longer available to respond and assist. The comprehensive Plan includes all elements needed to deal with an emergency situation within Sun Lakes. (2022 EPAP Manual) What does EPAP mean to our residents? The goal of the EPAP Team, (Radio Coms Unit, District EPAP Coordinators, MRTS, Zone Captains, and Patrol) is to be trained, prepared, and ready to assist our neighbors in the event of a power outage, earthquake, fire, train derailment, or other situation where first responders may not be able to reach us in a timely manner. To "participate" in the EPAP Program, you are simply agreeing to take part in annual EPAP drills. This helps the EPAP Team prepare for an actual disaster or critical event that could affect our community. There are other ways to participate, but they are totally optional. Starting in January, 2025, EPAP will hold monthly, informational programs, covering many topics on types of disasters, preparedness, and survival. You do not have to commit to becoming a volunteer, just commit to helping your neighbors who may need assistance. You can also keep up-to-date on Sun Lakes EPAP Facebook Group, SunLakesCC.com (community/EPAP) and in the Lifestyles Magazine. Our Districts and EPAP Team are always looking for volunteers. For more information, contact Janis Rice, EPAP Public Information Officer, at j.e.rice1954@gmail.com. ~ Janis Rice, EPAP PIO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WHAT IN THE HECK IS EPAP???