Community Partner Spotlight: Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee
March 4th, 2026
The recent impact of The Blizzard of 2026 was a major test for our region; widespread power outages and loss of communications shutdown businesses and disrupted daily life across the county. During this difficult time, many community groups stepped up to help, including our partners at the Family Table Collaborative. To all who helped Cape and Island communities through the storm, Children’s Cove would like to express heartfelt appreciation.
Helping a community during a disaster however requires more than just good intentions; it requires specialized leadership which knows how to organize resources for the greatest result. This essential work is led by our fellow county employees in the Barnstable County Department of Health & Environment, specifically the Emergency Preparedness Division, which coordinates the Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee (BCREPC).
The Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee (BCREPC) is a coalition of law enforcement, fire service, health care, public health, public works, EMS, military, and numerous other affiliated agencies representing Barnstable County and Nantucket County. BCREPC holds regular monthly meetings, providing a forum for partners to align emergency response protocols, review preparedness initiatives, and discuss emerging threats such as severe weather. These meetings also serve as opportunities for joint training and knowledge sharing. The BCREPC additionally organizes coordination calls before, during, and after significant weather events, ensuring local governments, private sector stakeholders, and non-governmental organizations are synchronized in response and recovery efforts.
At the onset of an emergency, the BCREPC activates its Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) at the Barnstable County Complex. The MACC serves as the central hub for the region, directing the opening of regional shelters and facilitating the distribution of emergency resources to individual towns. The importance of this coordination was underscored during the height of the recent blizzard when Governor Maura Healey visited the MACC to meet with regional partners managing response operations. This centralized command ensured that approximately 200 local, state, and utility partners remained in lockstep through bi-daily coordination calls.
The results of this teamwork during the blizzard were impressive. While over 150,000 customers lost power across Barnstable County, the BCREPC helped open six regional shelters and 14 warming centers for people who needed a safe, warm place to stay. While utility crews from across the Northeast and Canada worked to fix power lines, the Family Table Collaborative provided 17,000 meals to those in need. Transportation was also a key part of the plan, as the Cape Cod RTA helped move residents and their pets to shelters. This massive effort succeeded because every group, from AmeriCorps members to public health nurses, knew exactly what their role was.
The successful recovery from this historic storm shows why planning and cooperation are so important. Many county staff members even took on extra responsibilities outside of their normal jobs to make sure the MACC operated effectively. We want to thank the entire Emergency Preparedness team and the many volunteers who helped our community get back on its feet. Their hard work is a perfect example of how Barnstable County Government works every day to protect and serve its residents.
